The Hazards Campaign
is a network of
resource centres and campaigners
on health and safety at work
|
|
The Hazards Campaign
|
|
BATTERSEA
CRANE DISASTER ACTION GROUP c/o BWTUC, 347 Garratt Lane, London SW18 4DX
Battersea Crane Disaster Action Group slam Government on crane register The Battersea Crane Disaster Action Group have reacted angrily to Government claims that a central register of cranes is unnecessary. In their submission to the Work and Pensions Select Committee into the work of the HSE and HSC, the BCDAG demanded a register of plant to ensure that cranes, like cars, can be kept track of. They see the measure as essential to safeguard the safety of workers and members of the public. The group also put the spotlight on the need for more resources for the Health & Safety Executive. The Select Committee report, published on 21 April, supported the BCDAG’s demand for a central register of cranes. The committee, chaired by Terry Rooney MP, said “We are extremely concerned at the number of incidents and fatalities involving tower cranes and other plant on construction sites and call on the HSE to urgently bring forward proposals such as a national register of plant including ownership, age, design type, date of last inspection and other relevant factors.” However, the Department of Work and Pensions’ response to the Select Committee fails to recognise this urgent need. Liliana Alexa, Secretary of the BCDAG and mother of Michael Alexa, who died in the Battersea crane collapse of 2006 said, “We’re really angry. How can the Government say that there’s no need for a central register? When a crane collapsed in Forest Hill in December 2007, the HSE had to investigate to find out who owned the crane and how old it was! This is completely unacceptable. This information should be immediately available and the public should be able to access it. We’ll be doing everything we can to protest about the Government’s response. We firmly believe that a register of plant is necessary and the Select Committee agrees. Why are the government refusing to take some positive action to save lives?” Ends For further information,
contact Julia Brandreth 07940 578219 julia@bwtuc.org.uk
or Liliana Alexa 07859 047677 The Battersea
Crane Disaster Action Group was set up after a crane collapse in Battersea
killed crane driver Jonathan Cloke and local man Michael Alexa in September
2006. The final report into the Battersea fatalities will be out in September
2008.
|
The Hazards Campaign,
c/o Greater Manchester Hazards Centre, Windrush Millennium Centre, 70
Alexandra Road, |