McAlpine fined £40,000 for crane accident

Prosecutions and Claims |
10.01.2008

Construction giant Sir Robert McAlpine has been fined £40,000 after a worker lost his foot as a result of a crane accident.

The incident happened at a construction site in Westminster, London, in July 2005, as workers were manouevring a mobile crane into position.

The crane's feet were not resting properly so it was moved several times until operators found a stable position. In its final location it was just 30cm from a lamppost. The crane struck the post, which shattered and fell, injuring the worker below. He subsequently had to have his foot amputated.

Robert McAlpine pleaded guilty to failure to take reasonable steps to ensure employees' safety, contrary to Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974. On 21 December at the Old Bailey, the firm was fined £40,000 plus £12,526 costs.