HSE issues crane legislation reminder

Posted 08/04/2010

Employers have been reminded that they must adhere to new employment law governing cranes or risk being prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Under the regulations which came into force this week, owners of cranes on UK building sites must register them on a national database held by the HSE, as well as notifying the organisation if any more are erected.

The database will include the names and addresses of crane owners, as well as the details of all inspections that have taken place on each piece of machinery.

Any safety recommendations are also logged to ensure that they are followed.

Currently, the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 mean that all crane owners must have their equipment inspected regularly.

However, it is hoped that the new employment law will reduce the number of people failing to meet this obligation.

Currently, more than 4,000 major injuries happen as a result of falls from height, according to HSE statistics from 2008-09.