Purnell asks HSE to look at tower crane register

In response to a Select Committee request, James Purnell, secretary of state at Department of Work and Pensions, is to consider a register of tower cranes and has tasked the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) with drawing up the considerations both for and against such a move.

The Strategic Forum's plant safety group will help the HSE identify key aspects.

The HSE was also among 40 interested parties that attended the Forum's quick hitch sub-group meeting. Plant and hitch manufacturers, training providers, operators, contractors and hire companies were also represented and a 12 to 15-strong working group will chaired by the Construction Plant-hire Association.

This group will examine the role of key individuals (operators, gangers, foremen, site managers, contractors and clients) and review quick hitch-related safety information to ensure consistency. A smaller group will consider a variety of actions aimed at preventing accidents while existing semi-automatics are phased out.

The group is keen to hear from other interested parties, including operators, and its findings will be forwarded to those involved in redrafting EU legislation.