What Caused the Crane to Collapse in London?

By Michael Ferguson

On February 8, 2016, a crane collapsed in the city of London. The incident occurred in the area of Battersea, where the crane was working on a construction site. The collapse caused significant damage to nearby buildings and resulted in the death of one person.

The cause of the collapse was investigated by authorities and it was determined that high winds were to blame for the accident. According to reports, wind speeds had reached up to 80 mph at the time of the collapse. This extreme weather condition caused the crane’s jib, which is the part that extends horizontally from the tower, to snap off and fall onto a nearby building.

The crane company involved in the incident, Falcon Crane Hire Ltd., was fined £750,000 for breaching health and safety regulations. It was found that they had failed to properly secure the crane during high winds and did not have adequate measures in place to prevent such an accident.

This tragic event highlighted both the importance of proper safety protocols in construction sites as well as how unpredictable weather can be. It also brought attention to some of the risks associated with using cranes on construction sites.

It is crucial for construction companies and crane operators to prioritize safety and take all necessary precautions when working with heavy machinery like cranes. This includes regularly checking equipment for signs of wear or damage, securing cranes during high winds or other adverse weather conditions, and making sure all workers are properly trained on how to operate machinery safely.

In conclusion, while high winds were ultimately responsible for causing the crane collapse in London, it serves as a reminder that safety should always be a top priority on construction sites. Proper precautions should be taken by all parties involved in order to prevent accidents like this from happening again in the future.