Fatalities caused by crane collapse following metal fatigue
- Safety Flash
- Published on 6 May 2016
- Generated on 24 March 2026
- IMCA SF 12/16
- 1 minute read
The UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has published information on a crane hire company that was fined following an incident that led to the death of two men as a crane collapsed.
What happened?
A worker died after falling from the crane as it collapsed. The crane fell onto a member of the public, killing him also. Sections of the tower crane separated when 24 bolts failed due to metal fatigue. The 24 bolts were a significant safety feature on the crane’s slew ring, which connected the mast (tower) to the slew turret. This allows the arms of the crane (jib) to rotate through 360 degrees. When the bolts failed the slew turret and jib separated from the mast and fell to the ground.
A similar earlier incident, when the bolts failed on the same crane and had to be replaced, had not been investigated by the crane company. The company was found to have an inadequate system to manage the inspection and maintenance of their cranes.
Related Safety Flashes
-
IMCA SF 21/15
7 December 2015
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.