On 17 June last year workers were rescued from a Bizzochi machine when the boom broke according to The Daily Record. This week the same 43m cherry picker collapsed and killed a worker in Scotland.
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 machine is owned by Craig Services and Access which operates from a farm outside Hamilton.
When confronted with the allegation, owner Donald Craig told the Daily 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 cherry picker 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.”
Source: Construction Enquirer
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