Pro Installer December 2016 - Issue 45 | Page 29

29 PRO INSTALLER DECEMBER 2016 PRO NEWS @proinstaller1 PROTECTING NATURE ON CONSTRUCTION SITES The importance of safeguarding nature on construction sites is being highlighted by Kent-based business, Twig Group. Lifting warning after worker killed by falling load A building contractor was fined after a worker was killed when a load fell from a tower crane during a lifting operation in Colchester. Urban Summit Construction Ltd was the principal contractor on a construction site at King Edward Quay, Haven Road, Colchester, where 780 student accommodation apartments were being built. On 8th January 2014, during a lifting operation using the site’s tower crane, a load become detached from the chains and landed on the banksman who was in charge of the operation. David Holloway, 35, sustained extensive injuries and died on site. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Urban Summit Construction Ltd at Chelmsford Crown Court after an investigation found the company failed to ensure that lifting operation was carried out in a safe manner. Urban Summit Construction Ltd of 15 California, Little Downham, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB6 2UF, was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £29,127 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 8 (1)(c) of The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector David King said: “It is essential that lifting operations are carried out in a safe manner, to help ensure the lift is carried out without risk to those in the area. Lifting operations must be properly planed by a competent person, carried out by adequately trained persons, and with appropriate supervision. “Guidance on carrying out lifting operations safely is freely available on HSE’s website. If this company had properly planned and supervised this work, this tragic incident could have been avoided.” Further information on how to reduce the risks involved in lifting operations can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/ pubns/liftindx.htm www.hse.gov.uk The organisation offers ecological contracting, grounds maintenance and solar farm maintenance services. It offers a full range of ecological services, working with ecologists and directly with clients. Twig can provide ecological supervision and species handling during the installation of ecological fencing, with associated ha