This previous picture was taken following the collapse of two cranes during the lifting of a new bridge section in the town of Alphen aan den Rijn in Holland in 2015. The Dutch transport investigation team cited lack of planning to be one of the primary causes of the failure. Another item that was mentioned by the investigation team was “Furthermore, the cranes were loaded to 100% of their rated capacity”.


“Each party assumed that the others knew what they were doing and neither the main contractor nor the municipal authority asked any questions that could have exposed the dangers. The parties involved trusted each other’s expertise and relied on the responsibility of the other parties in the chain,” says the report. This pattern was reflected throughout the project organisation, from the barge operator to the municipal authority.


Loading to 100% of capacity leaves no margin for error and could be viewed by many including the author as less than acceptable working practice.


The photograph and the comments below are another example of what can go wrong in lifting operations, again as identified by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the lack of appropriate planning was a major contributory factor in the incident.


An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company "failed to properly plan the lift and therefore unsuitable lifting accessories were used. Suitable anchor points for operatives using fall arrest equipment were not identified and there was no consideration of fall distances. Additionally, they failed to provide appropriate instructions and information for work at height and lifting operations."


An inspector added: “All organisations undertaking lifting and work at height must ensure work is properly planned, and the correct equipment is selected. Workers should be provided with adequate health and safety information and instructions.” (Taken from HSE report)


80 | ISSUE 109 | SEP 2024 | THE REPORT


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