Crane firms warned of work on soft ground

Crane companies are being warned about the dangers of soft ground after a mobile crane overturned in the Wirral.

Cheshire Crane Hire of Connah's Quay, Flintshire was fined £8,000 last week at Wirral Magistrates' Court after a 60t mobile crane toppled after being overloaded and sited on soft ground.

The crane fell over at the former Champion Spark Plug premises at Arrow Brook Road in March 2007.

Health & Safety Executive inspector Neil Jamieson said: "The company's managing director Frank Preston had estimated the weight of the tower at about 6t, but its actual weight was more than double that. 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."

The crane was parked on asphalt, but its outriggers were on soft ground and it overturned while attempting to lift a 23m-long steel chimney stack.

The stack fell next to the boom of the crane. Nobody was injured, but the crane's cab crushed an adjacent electricity substation.