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01.11.2018

Dropping the telehandler

An incident occurred in the past week, apparently in Manchester, UK, when two cranes were up righting a telehandler that had overturned with most of its boom extended.
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The job was almost done


The method looked a little dodgy from the start but had almost been completed successfully when one set of lifting chains broke, dropping the machine back onto its side. We understand that no one was hurt in the incident.

The entire episode was captured on video, a copy of which we received on Monday. Over the next day or so we received further links to the video as it began to go viral. We therefore approached the rental company/owner of at least one of the cranes - Ainscough Crane Hire - which said that it was unable to comment. We assume therefore that the crane was supplied on basic crane hire terms, with the contractor organising the lift?
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When a chain broke on one of the sling sets


It now seems that the contractor has managed to shut down all information on the subject. We posted the footage in our video library yesterday, while waiting on more information. But given that nothing has been forthcoming we are running the story with the limited information. You can see the video by clicking here to go to our video library

Vertikal Comment

This mentality of shutting down and suppressing an incident needs to change. A failure such as this offers tremendous opportunities for a company and others to learn from what happened. If this had been an aircraft incident - no matter how minor - the information would have already been widely shared and analysed.

Contractors associations talk about collaboration, safety first and a positive attitude, but with some of them it is simply lip service. Here is a site where a telehandler has obviously gone over, for whatever reason, and then another incident, that could so easily have been fatal, occurs during the recovery and all they think about is shutting out any publicity. The client ought to be worried.

Comments

Buns
When you look at this type of incident and the obvious need to report a dangerous occurrence one wonders if the RIDDOR 2013 Regulations are suitable and sufficient. Under Schedule 2, Dangerous Occurrences, Part 1, General, Lifting Equipments a report should be made when "THE COLLAPSE, OVERTURNING OR FAILURE OF ANY LOAD BEARING PART OF ANY LIFTING EQUIPMENT, OTHER THAN AN ACCESSORY FOR LIFTING." Based on the latter the crane activity and the failure of the lifting accessory would NOT be reported but the original overturn of the Telescopic Handler would. The overturning of telescopic handlers is at epidemic proportions and many contractors fail to report if nobody is injured and the industry once again loses the opportunity to learn from mistakes declared for the good and betterment of all on site. When information is deliberately suppressed it immediately gives the impression that foreseeable risks were badly assessed or ignored.

Nov 2, 2018

vertikal editor
In response to the question/point raised by Big Booms, we welcome the input, but not sure quite what you mean.

We certainly do not suppress accident news and always do our best to follow up on them, regularly updating when new information surfaces.

There are examples of us receiving a tip off or photo of an accident that we simply fail to confirm - when it happened, where it happened and what happened - beyond reasonable doubt, often due to the secrecy issue.

We would agree that much of the trade press does refrain from publishing such information, even when they have all the facts... hopefully we do not fall into that category. We genuinely believe that open reporting of incidents is a major factor in raising awareness of the risks and therefore helping improve safety.

We originally began reporting accidents after a fatal accident become grossly exaggerated and distorted as it was circulating by word of mouth over a period of weeks. By obtaining the exact details and publishing them, it stopped the rumour mill from embellishing further.

We are proud that in some cases our reporting has led to the industry saying 'enough' and taking action via campaigns or new standards. The higher focus on wearing harnesses with short lanyards in boom lifts is a case in point. After a spate of fatal incidents reported on this website it encouraged the industry to launch the IPAF Clunk Click campaign which has gone global.

We are constantly looking to improve what we do and very keen to have constructive criticism and new ideas, so please do email us on [email protected] at any time.

Thank you

Nov 1, 2018

Tmayes
To be fair this can?t be a Ainscough contract lift cos love them or hate them they will do it right, not cheap but done right so as a guess this was a CPA hire and the client did the RAMS for it.
And why do these big contractors put a ban on reporting on such incidents? The HSE need to come down harder on them for it, lessons can be learnt from such mistakes to stop it from happening again. Hawks crane hire had a incident the other week and instead of trying to get any information banned they made a statement of what happtand what they are doing about it, which is definitely the way forward the crane industry should be taking.

Nov 1, 2018

A bit dodgy looking from the start is an understatement, also it wasn't the chains that snapped it was the soft slings chocked around the head of the main boom section that snapped which I am sure most would say was the main problem. For me the main problem was the initial planning of the recovery and who put their name to this lifting plan.

Nov 1, 2018

Big Booms
Dear Editor,

With the greatest fo respect, you say " This mentality of shutting down and suppressing an incident needs to change" this has to start with for the top of the industry and industry press. The recent CTE incident and others relating to major rental companies either don't get questioned, followed through or in may cases published.

Nov 1, 2018

And who's going to open this can of worms then ....?

Nov 1, 2018