Hewden gets HSE notice

The Health and Safety Executive's ongoing investigation into last month's crane collapse in Canary Wharf has resulted in an improvement notice being served on the company responsible for all crane work on the site.

Although the HSE has taken enforcement action which applies to all Hewden Tower Cranes' external climbing equipment for use in Britain, it insists this does not mean the firm is being blamed for the incident.

The accident on 21 May killed crane erection supervisor Michael Whittard, crane operator Peter Clark and erector Martin Burgess. The three men, part of a team constructing a new headquarters for HSBC, were in the crane's cab, jacking it up to another level when it crashed 100m to the ground.

HSE said its investigation had included examining the failed crane, together with looking at two other tower cranes on the site.

Future plans include a check on external climbing equipment being used for tower cranes by other companies and a pledge that enforcement action will be taken if equipment does not pass rigorous examination.