Amec and Leach fined £20,000 over crane topple

The crane driver was forced to leap to safety after one of the outriggers which support the crane sank into the ground.

Warrington Magistrates Court heard the 5.7 tonne beam that was being lifted into place narrowly missed two employees as it fell.

The incident occurred in February in Warrington, where a new fire control centre was under construction.

Both firms pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act.

Health and Safety Executive inspector Nic Rigby, who investigated the case, said: "This prosecution should act a warning to all those involved in crane operations. It was down to chance alone that this incident did not result in multiple fatalities.

"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.

"This failing should have been obvious to all those involved in the planning for, and the operation of, the cranes on that site. Clear warnings were ignored in the run-up to this incident about the ground bearing capacity for the use of cranes on the site. The risk assessments which had been produced were inadequate as they only considered use at a completely different part of the site".

Cheshire-based Amec and Leach Structural Steelwork, of Preston, were both ordered to pay £9,143 in costs.