05.02.2007

Union calls for annual crane tests

The UK’s Transport and General Workers Union is joining a campaign this week calling for an annual check on all cranes over 10 years old and for the HSE to “blitz” sites to ensure that the tight regulations governing the use of tower cranes in the UK are adhered to”.

Health and safety officials from the T&G union will distribute posters to sites across the country this week asking workers to back the campaign. Forty-one MPs have apparently signed an early day motion backing the campaign.

Bob Blackman, T&G national officer, said: “The campaign is bringing an enormous amount of publicity to the issue of crane safety. I understand that contractors are starting to take ownership for crane safety. They’re checking cranes as they come to site, rather than relying on hirers.”

T&G representatives will distribute the posters to sites such as Heathrow Terminal 5 and Wembley stadium.

[[forum 50]]