Crane safety call

Unite has written to Chris Grayling the Secretary of State for Transport urging that he takes action to ensure the safety of mobile cranes when they are driven on roads.

Currently, mobile cranes are exempt from requiring an annual MoT. Following a three year long consultation the Department of Transport has recently announced that it will introduce regulations which will require mobile cranes which are on an HGV chassis to undergo MoT’s.

However most mobile cranes are of the all-terrain variety and they will continue to be exempt from MoT testing as many of them are too large to fit into a testing centre.

While Unite understands size considerations are an issue the union believes that a compulsory testing and regulations system must be introduced in order to improve safety and to reassure both drivers and other road users the vehicles are roadworthy

Unite is also calling on the government to introduce a tachograph system to mobile cranes and other forms of major plant. Unlike a lorry, these vehicles can currently be driven on the roads without restriction and without the driver having to undertake mandatory breaks.

Unite national officer for construction Bernard McAulay, said, “Members of the public will be concerned that there are no rules ensuring that these large machines are roadworthy. Mobile crane drivers need to know that they are in a safe vehicle.

“It is also totally wrong that drivers are currently allowed to drive these cranes for hours on end without any requirements to have a break — this is dangerous for both the driver and other road users.

“The government must stop hiding behind cost concerns and hoping the industry will introduce voluntary regulation. The only way to improve standards and safety is through statutory testing and clear rules on driving time.

“Chris Grayling must re-think the government’s response,” he added. “Too often we have seen how penny pinching on safety matters has terrible consequences and we should ensure that this is not the case with regards to mobile cranes including the all-terrain variety.”