Barratt gears up after crane collapse

Barratt Homes is preparing to restart work on its Viridian site in Battersea following last month's crane collapse, which killed two people.

Falcon Cranes of Thetford (Norfolk) was asked to carry out immediate and additional checks on all tower cranes on the Barratt sites after the incident on 27 September when  the top part of the BPR/Potain crane fell onto flats killing the operator and a member of the public.

All the cranes have since been checked and have now returned to work. Two other cranes similar to the BPR222 were at work on other sites. Both have been given additional thorough independent examinations following the incident, said a spokesman.

The housebuilder told Contract Journal it is currently reviewing requirements before it can restart operations at Battersea.  "At present work in being undertaken to resecure the site following the incident. There are a number of factors still to be taken into consideration to enable the site to become fully operational.  A definite recommencement date has not been set."

Once new cranes have been approved the local authority and local residents will be notified.