Amec and Leach fined £20,000 over crane accident

Magistrates at Warrington Crown Court have fined Amec and Leach Structural Steelwork a total of £20,000 following an accident which saw a 35t truck-mounted telescopic crane overturn at a construction site.

The crane was lifting a 5.7t beam into place at a site in Lingley Mere, Great Sankey, Warrington, in February 2007 where Amec was the main contractor.

One of the outriggers supporting the crane sank into the ground, causing the crane to overturn. The beam narrowly missed two employees as it fell and the crane driver was forced to leap clear as the crane toppled.

HSE inspector Nic Rigby who investigated the case said: "The crane overturned because it was being operated, with the knowledge of both companies, in a part of the site that had not been prepared for such activities. The roadway was not wide enough to accommodate the outrigger spread of the crane."

Amec Group and Leach Structural Steelwork both pleaded guilty to breaches of health and safety regulations. Each firm was fined £10,000 and ordered to £9,143 in costs.