05.05.2008

Govan crane boom fails

An 80 tonne shipyard crane at British Aerospace’s Govan yard in Glasgow suffered a boom failure today, the falling boom nose narrowly missed two men working below.

One of the men, a shipwright was treated in hospital for minor injuries, while another two, the crane operator and another shipwright, were treated for shock.
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The crane and its broken boom

Health and Safety Executive has been notified and an inquiry has been launched.

A BAE Systems spokesperson said: "At approximately 8am a crane at the Govan yard sustained damage when the jib snapped after being lowered out to begin routine operations. None of the employees involved have been seriously injured.”

"The crane passed its annual statutory inspection in March 2008 and the cause of the incident is currently being investigated. The Health and Safety Executive was notified immediately and will investigate the incident with the full support of the business.”