Firms in 'grey import' probe

Two companies are currently being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive for bringing "grey imports" of construction equipment into the UK from Korea.

The investigation follows the handing over of a dossier of information obtained by the Federation of Manufacturers of Construction Equipment and Cranes (FMCEC) to the HSE.

"It appears some dealers and users are buying construction equipment which is not CE marked direct from Korean manufacturers. We have to protect the user, as there is a very real of a risk of a serious accident given that these machines do not have the same stability or overload ratios," said a spokesman for the FMCEC.

Malcolm Kent, of Komatsu UK and chairman of FMCEC's technical committee said the HSE's action was significant as it was probably the "first investigation" into the problem.

A spokesman for the HSE confirmed that two firms were being investigated but could not confirm who they were for fear of prejudicing the cases.