Overturned crane costs hire firm £16,000

Prosecutions and Claims |
17.07.2008

A crane hire firm that failed to properly plan work and assess ground conditions has been fined after a crane overturned.

The incident happened in March 2007 at Upton, Wirral, where a 60-tonne mobile crane supplied by Cheshire Crane Hire overturned while trying to lift a 23m-long steel chimney stack.

Nobody was injured, but the cab of the crane crushed an electricity substation and a local brook was contaminated by leakages from the crane's diesel and hydraulic tanks.

HSE inspector Neil Jamieson, who investigated the incident, said Cheshire Crane Hire's managing director, Frank Preston, had estimated the weight of the tower to be about six tonnes, but it was actually more than double that figure.

"He also failed to explain the type of contract to his client, nor did he ask him to sign any papers, which is essential good practice."

Cheshire Crane Hire of Connah's Quay, Flintshire, pleaded guilty breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act for failing to ensure the safety of its employee.

On 16 July, Wirral magistrates fined the company £8000 and plus full costs of £8842.