25.10.2004

Crane driver accused of involuntary Homicide

The driver of a mobile crane owned by Mediaco in France, has been placed under court control for involuntary Homicide following an accident last week near Nantes that killed a 12 year old school girl, injured another and narrowly missed 23 others. The crane was in the process of dismantling a tower crane in a narrow street, when it toppled over and the boom came down on some into the street with part of the tower cranes boom.
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The tragic accident killed a 12 year old school girl

A party of 25 school children was passing at the time, the swift action of the teacher escorting them managed to get all but two of them to safety before the crane hit the ground.

The charge of homicide against the 41 year old driver is based on a manifestly deliberate violation of a particular safety measure and that he did not respect the relative health and safety regulations.

The driver who was also injured and is still in a state of shock is an employee of Mediaco, according to the judge who is investigating the case; he knowingly switched off the cranes load moment system in order to provide a wider working envelope so that he could keep the cranes boom away from an overhead cable.

The local prosecutor has said that it is not a case of placing the entire blame on the crane driver, the case is being investigated and decision s will be taken as to whom has responsibility whether physical or morale responsibility. In addition to the fact that safety systems were overridden,, the relevant paperwork for the lift had not been completed including the notification and approval of the town authorities to carry out the lift when they did.

Responsibility for the lift is complicated by the fact that four companies are involved, including the main contractor, the company dismounting the crane, the crane hire company and a transporter who was taking the crane away.

Vertikal Comment

This is a sad case which seem s to point towards poor planning and organization of a lift, which has without question permanently ruined the lives of at least two families.

It harks back to a comment made last month at the CPA crane interests group meeting in the UK, by Mike Sarson of the HSE. He said that in a case with clear danger such as overhead cables in the way of a straight lift, the driver should stand up the crane and call the office.

The cables could have been switched off and the cranes load systems left active. If ths was done thre is a good chance that the job woudl now have been safely completed.

We will follow this case as it comes towards a conclusion, in the meantime perhaps it might serve as an actual case of what can happen if drivers are not fully diligent. You can be sure of one thing; no one is thanking the driver tonight for trying to get the job done without delay or disruption!