Two firms prosecuted over Liverpool crane collapse

THE Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is to prosecute two companies over a crane collapse in Liverpool which resulted in a crane driver being paralysed from the waist down.

The prosecution relates to the collapse of a tower crane on July 6, 2009, which was being used to build a hotel and apartments at Kings Dock Mill on Tabley St. The crane collapsed onto a part-built apartment block across the road and ended on the Chandlers Wharf residential scheme.

Main contractor Bowmer and Kirkland and Liverpool-based structural engineer Bingham Davis will both face charges they failed to ensure the safety of workers as a ersult of the incident. Both firms have been charged with breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

A case management hearing is due to take place at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on May 19.