Company fined £750k by HSE after crane collapse

A major incident was declared by the emergency services after the collapse at A&P Falmouth

A company has been fined after a crane collapsed at Falmouth Docks putting more than 250 workers on the site at risk.

A major incident was declared by the emergency services after the collapse at A&P Falmouth on 10 May 2017.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found A&P Falmouth failed to properly maintain the crane.

A&P Falmouth Limited was fined £750,000 and ordered to pay £26,792.30 in costs at Truro Crown Court on Friday, said the HSE.

The collapsed crane at Falmouth Docks

A&P Falmouth, of Wagonway Road, Hebburn, Tyne and Wear, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act.

Although the crane had been examined by a third-party, its recommendations regarding defects were not acted on by A&P Falmouth, the HSE said.

There were approximately 258 workers on site at the time of the collapse.

HSE inspector Melissa Lai-Hung said: "This was a very serious incident and it is fortunate nobody was injured or killed as a result of this catastrophic failure at Falmouth Docks.

"We thoroughly investigated this incident and found that A&P Falmouth Limited’s system of maintenance was not effective in preventing the collapse of the crane.

"This case not only highlights the importance of regular proactive maintenance but also the inspection of lifting equipment."