HSE will not prosecute over Liverpool crane death

The Health and Safety Executive will not bring any prosecutions over the death of a worker when a crane collapsed in Liverpool last year.

Polish site worker Zbigniew Swirzynski was killed and the crane driver injured when a luffing jib tower crane collapsed on 15 January 2007. The HSE said today that following an investigation in conjunction with Merseyside Police, there was insufficient evidence to bring proceedings against any of the parties investigated. These included Falcon Crane Hire, contractor David McLean, the crane manufacturer and the crane driver.

However, the HSE said as a result of the investigation it had written to all tower crane hirers and suppliers in the UK with the technical conclusions on the cause of the incident, asking them to consider if they need to take action in light of the findings. The companies have been asked to consult with overseas tower crane manufacturers over the findings.

The Liverpool crane collapsed when the slew ring bolts failed and the slew ring fractured, allowing the main crane assembly to fall from its tower and land upside down on top of the building being constructed.

Mike Cross, HSE head of operations for construction in the North-west said:

“This decision was reached after a lengthy and exhaustive investigation into the causes of the collapse which involved interviews with numerous witnesses and the extensive involvement of HSE and Health and Safety Laboratory specialists. No effort was spared in determining the cause of this tragic incident, which involved visits to the crane manufacturers in Spain and full engagement with the tower crane community in Great Britain. We have already contacted Mr Swirzynski's family to let them know our decision.”