Work platform collapse kills builder in Glasgow

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Work platform collapse kills builder in Glasgow
Grant Prior | Wed 20th June | 14:17


A construction worker has died after a truck-mounted lift collapsed on a building site in the centre of Glasgow.
The accident happened at Buchanan House on Port Dundas Road at midday Wednesday.
Another man has been taken to the Royal Infirmary suffering from “severe head injuries”, the Scottish Ambulance Service said.
The boom of the 43 metre work lift buckled bringing the workers crashing to the floor.
The victims were believed to be fixing safety netting on the site as part of ongoing refurbishment work.

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Worker killed in 100ft crane snap

Tragedy ... the snapped crane in Glasgow

By DAVID WYNN




A WORKER was killed yesterday in a horror 100ft plunge.




He is understood to have been thrown from the cherrypicker and was battered by scaffolding as he fell to the ground.
A colleague below is thought to have been hit by the toppled section of crane — and was rushed from the the towering office block with serious head wounds.
Parts of the building were also evacuated as emergency crews raced to the scene.
Last night, one worker at a nearby site said: “It’s an absolute tragedy. I heard the cherrypicker collapsed and this poor guy was thrown to the ground.
“Apparently, because of the height the guy was up, he didn’t stand a chance.”
Workmates had watched in horror as the accident happened at around 12.25pm during renovation work at Buchanan House in Cowcaddens, Glasgow.
The two casualties were part of a team of contractors working on the site, which houses Network Rail, Transport Scotland and Glasgow Caledonian University.

Shock ... office staff and 999 crews at scene

Buchanan House worker Cheryl McDermott, a mum-of-one, tweeted after the incident: “Horrible day at Buchanan house. Really puts life into perspective.”Police and fire crews remained at the scene for most of the day as investigators spoke to witnesses and examined the site.
David Walker, 33, who lives close to the scene, said: “Police and fire crews have been here all day. It’s terrible that someone has died in such a tragic way. I just really feel for his family.”
Shop owner Brett Morris, 38, who runs the La Sandwicherie shop opposite the building, said: “The guys that are working in Buchanan House come in on Saturdays quite a lot.”
A police spokeswoman said last night: “We can confirm one man has died and another has been taken to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary following an accident at Buchanan House.”
A spokesman for One Stop Safety Systems, the main contractor on the site is, refused to comment last night.




Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...#ixzz1yPdueQen

[ianoz]

A catastrophic failure of the boom . We can only hope the investagation makes sure this can never happen again .

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UPDATE

Fatal work platform had buckled before

Grant Prior | Fri 22nd June


A 43m cherrypicker which collapsed and killed a worker in Scotland this week had problems with the boom a year ago.
An investigation is currently underway into the tragedy which killed Gary Currie and seriously injured another man after they were sent crashing to the floor.
The Daily Record said workers were rescued from the same Bizzochi machine on June 17 last year when the boom broke.
The machine is owned by Craig Services and Access which operates from a farm outside Hamilton.
When confronted with the allegation, owner Donald Craig told theDaily Record: “It’s not the same place.
“There was a fault in boom number three – but that was boom number two.
“It was all safely done the last time. There were new booms, so it was nothing to do with that.
“I really can’t say anything, it’s under investigation. We are so sorry about the man’s fatality.
“But until it is investigated, we can’t comment on anything. We are not qualified to say anything.
“We are all devastated about that metal failure. It all has to be examined by experts now.”
Craig bought the crane in 2009 after previous owners, Newcastle- based ES Access, went into administration.
It was supposed to be in the process of being repaired in Italy after ES Access owner Paul Hunwick discovered metal fatigue in the boom.
Hunwick said: “The boom had a crease in it. You have to have them inspected every six months and we found this problem.
“We contacted the manufacturers and sent it to Italy to have two new boom sections put in.
“We paid a £12,000 deposit to have them built but our company went into administration shortly after that and administrators took over the assets.
“I believe Donald Craig bought the truck after that. I didn’t think any more of it until I saw the news yesterday.”
Currie worked for Glasgow-based One Stop Safety Systems, who rented the cherrypicker from Craig Services.
A spokesman said: “Our sympathies are extended to the family of our employee, Gary Currie, who was killed in the industrial accident on Wednesday afternoon. Our sympathies are also extended to the injured crane operator from Craig Services and Access Limited. Our thoughts are with him, his family and work colleagues, and we hope he makes a full recovery from his injuries.
“Everyone involved with our company has been greatly affected and saddened by the tragic events of yesterday afternoon. The directors of the company will do everything in our power to make sure both families are given every possible assistance and support in the days ahead.
“In addition to carrying out our own internal investigation, One Stop Safety Systems will co-operate with the owners of the crane and the Health and Safety Executive in their investigations. We aim to provide the safest possible working environment for our workers and everyone connected with the company.”

[Dan]

Ive always wondered for years, how these things can have such a massive reach with such a small base, .... clearly its by making the boom so thin so that it doesent destabilse it with its weight, at the expense of its strength ofcourse,very sad, another needless accident

[ianoz]

I don't think a helmut would have done them much good .Parachute maybe .

[Kimberly Access]

I remember this tragedy happening, cant remember what the official HSE verdict was or is it still under investogation?

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I remember this tragedy happening, cant remember what the official HSE verdict was or is it still under investogation?

Probably still under investigation.