Croydon crane collapse: top was not connected

18:01 14 Jun 2007
By Colin Sowman

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has established the cause of the Croydon crane collapse and has served an immediate prohibition notice on Select Plant. The collapse happened because the top of the crane was not connected to the frame during the climbing operation.

The prohibition prevents Select Plant from climbing tower cranes unless the work is undertaken by people who have adequate training specific to the type of frame in use. Select, which has a fleet of over 300 tower cranes, is not prevented from undertaking climbing operations under any circumstances, but it can now only do so with the use of fully trained and experienced teams.

When asked if the inference of the prohibition order was that the rigging crew involved in the Croydon incident lacked training and experience of climbing Terex Comedil tower cranes, the HSE said that this "was a reasonable conclusion to draw”.

All wreckage from the Croydon incident has been removed from the site and investigations are continuing.

A Select Plant spokesperson said: “We take this extremely seriously.

“Safety is absolutely critical and we are determined to understand all the causes of this accident to ensure that we can prevent anything like this happening again.

“We believe our crane crews are adequately trained and accumulate extensive on-site experience before taking part in any crane climbing operations.

“Clearly, however, there are lessons to be learned from this incident and we are determined to learn those lessons – fast. We will not prejudge the outcome of the investigation and we continue to cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities.

“We are continuing to undertake climbing operations in accordance with the notice issued by the Health and Safety Executive and with their agreement.”