Health & safety bulletin
Mobile Crane Near-Miss
23rd July 2009
From: Martin Rackley HSSE Manager, BP/Bovis Global Alliance
Date: 10.06.09
We recently had a mobile crane setting up on site which could have fallen over. The lessons learnt were:
- A 25 tonne crane was booked by the Canopy Contractor. The day before it was due it was requested if it could be brought forward for that afternoon. The crane hire company sent its first available crane to site which was bigger than planned. This was the first mistake - not enough time to allow proper planning of changes.
- The method statement and lifting plan had been produced for the 25 tonne crane and wasn't amended to suit the bigger crane. The crane was allowed on site to set up. Second mistake - it was assumed the larger crane would be ok. It should have remained off site until an amended lifting plan had been produced and agreed with the Site Manager.
- Due to its larger size, the crane needed to temporarily move away from the designated location as shown on the agreed lifting plan. The driver and Canopy Contractor Supervisor did not go through the lift plan again or resubmit it to the Principal Contractor for agreement. The new position of the crane put it next to the existing foundation of the recently demolished forecourt shop. The floor foundation of the shop was of the "pot & beam" type and was still in place. Although this floor was known about it was not shown on the lifting plan and was not protected by barriers. It was not discussed with the crane driver. This was the third and most critical mistake. The no go zone was not highlighted on the lifting plane and the new crane position including its outriggers should have been reviewed and agreed by everyone, especially the driver.
- In its new position the crane put one of it's outriggers over the pot & beam floor. The driver was seconds away from putting the weight of the crane on the outriggers when it was spotted by the Principal Contractors Site Manager and halted. The lift was suspended and the crane was sent away. This was good practise - crane set up and its use should be monitored at all times by the lifting supervisor and the Site Management. Without this, the outrigger could have punctured the floor; the crane would have been unstable and could have fallen over. The possible consequences could have been horrific!
This is one of the most serious near miss incidents we have ever had. It highlights the dangers of last minute changes to high risk works and the need to suspend works until the agreed method statements / procedures have been doubled checked, amended where needed and fully agreed with everyone involved.
We must learn from this incident before it's too late.
- We expect ALL our Contractors to hold a toolbox talk on the content of this alert.
- Any Contractor using a mobile crane in future will need to hold a last minute lift plan briefing with all parties (including the Principal Contractor Site Manager) immediately before any crane manoeuvres. This is to be recorded on the method statement. NO EXCEPTIONS.