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A crane operator suffered a broken leg and back injuries after a steel beam fell from a crane in an accident at work that happened in the north of England.
As a result of the industrial incident, companies have been warned by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure UK workers' safety whenever cranes are being used.
The accident happened on Teesside at Corus, a steel producing company, in April 2007. It led to a prosecution with a court fine and costs amounting to more than £21,200. It was reported that Corus admitted an offence under the Health and Safety Work etc. Act 1974.
Bruno Porter, an HSE inspector, said the accident happened when a beam fell while attached to the crane via an electro-magnetic lift. The beam was dislodged after hitting the side of a site building. It subsequently crashed on to the operator.
He said the crane could not operate safely because of the layout of the work area and length of the beams.
"The problems with magnetic cranes were well known at Corus and an alternative way of working should have been found to protect both the operator and other workers in the area," said Mr Porter.
The steel beam that caused severe personal injuries fell from a raft of beams that weighed about 1.7 tonnes and were approximately 16 feet long. It is not known if the crane operator has made a work accident compensation claim.
Mr Porter said electro-magnetic lifts can be safer than other lifting methods, but no one should be near the suspended load until it is in a safe position - or, as happened in this case, there could be an accident at work.
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