Falcon Crane Hire has received a £750,000 fine following safety failings that resulted in the death of two men after a crane collapsed in London.
Crane operator Jonathan Cloke died after falling from the crane when it collapsed in an incident that also killed Michael Alexa, a member of the public.
The crane was sited on a housing development in Thessaly Road, Battersea, when sections of the crane separated after 24 bolts failed due to metal fatigue. These bolts were a significant safety feature on the crane's slew ring, which connected the mast to the slew turret. This feature enables the crane to rotate through 360 degrees.
The failure of the bolts caused the slew turret and jib to separate from the mast and fall to the ground.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the incident discovered that the company failed to investigate a similar incident on the same crane nine weeks earlier, where the bolts had failed and had to be replaced.
The HSE found that the company had inadequate systems to manage the inspection and maintenance of their cranes. The company's investigation into the underlying causes of component failures was also deemed inadequate.
HSE Head of Operations, Mike Wilcock, commented: ''Jonathan and Michael’s deaths were tragic, needless and entirely avoidable. These two men need not have died had Falcon Crane Hire taken the right, decisive action when the bolts failed the first time. The company fell far short of its health and safety obligation.''
Falcon Crane Hire Ltd were found guilty of breaches under the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974. They were fined £750,000 and ordered to pay costs of £100,000.
