The jib of a luffing tower crane has come down on a building under construction in Leith area of Edinburgh, Scotland earlier today.
It seems that the crane was working at the time when something gave way, causing the jib to drop onto the building it was working on. One man was injured and taken to hospital for further treatment. We understand that his injuries are not life threatening.
A Police spokesperson said: “Around 9.30am on Tuesday, 28th of November, we received a report that a crane had collapsed at a building site in Stead’s Place in Edinburgh. The Emergency services are in attendance and there are road closures in place at Leith Walk and Pilrig Street.”
The site is a residential apartment complex being built by Collab Construction for the developer Drum Property Group, while the crane is a 36 tonne Jaso J380PA supplied by Falcon Cranes.
We will update this item when we learn more in the meantime we suggest that anyone wishing to comment keep them to additional facts, rather than conjecture – at least at this stage.
Falcon has released a statement which is as follows:
"We confirm that it has been reported to us that shortly before 09:30 this morning, that the jib of one
of our Jaso J380PA luffing cranes collapsed during its operation at a construction site in Stead’s
Place, Edinburgh. We are saddened to hear of this event and to any injuries and damage that
may have occurred.
We will be carrying out the fullest of investigations to understand what caused the collapse.
We can however say that at this moment in time we are not aware of any defect in the crane
itself.
The crane is reported to have been in good condition. It is relatively new, having been
manufactured in 2020 and it has been regularly maintained and independently inspected.
The crane has been in operation at this site since May 2023 without issue and its 6-monthly
thorough examination was successfully completed less than two weeks ago.
We will be thoroughly investigating all aspects of the collapse."
Collab Construction has now also issued a statement:
"We can confirm that an incident involving a crane - owned and operated by one of the sub-contractors Falcon Tower Crane Services Ltd - took place this morning (Tuesday 28 November) at its development site at Stead’s Place, off Leith Walk Edinburgh. The emergency services have now left the site and a full investigation is currently underway into the cause of the incident."
"Collab Construction is currently completing the development of 110 build-to-rent apartments on the site, with a completion date set for summer 2024. The Stead’s Place site is owned by a fund managed by Edmond de Rothschild Real Estate Investment Management and is being developed by Drum."
The videos below from the Scottish Sun and Skynews show the rescue
May I take this opportunity to nominate Tower Crane Operator Glen Edwards for a Kings Award in 2024 for his heroic act in utilising his Tower Crane and Man Basket to Rescue a Man from the roof of a Burning Building at the Station Hill development site in Reading on Thursday 23rd Nov 2023.
As this outstanding act of Heroism deserves public recognition via the Kings Award.
o
FAO Andrew Brown - Director
FALCON TOWER CRANE SERVICES LTD
Shipdham Airfield Ind Estate
Thetford
Norfolk. IP25 7SD.
Good Morning Mr Brown,
As you know, I have Researched 1437 Crane and Lifting Incidents since Monday 7 May 2007. All of which has killed 810 Men and Women Worldwide of which 333 involved Tower Cranes, with your dropped jib above being 334.
Moreover Falcon is listed on 6 x seperate occasions in London, Liverpool, Canterbury, Crewe, Shipdham and now in Leith, Edinburgh.
By now you are probably asking, why are these Crane Incidents ongoing when I have spent all this money on Training. So please ask yourself the following questions
1. Does Falcons Training include all Directors and Managers ?
2. Does Falcons Training include all of the Employers Statutory Duties ?
3. Does Falcons Training include all of the Employees Own Statutory Duties ?
4. Does Falcons Training include the Common Law subject of ‘Safe Systems of Work'
5. Does Falcons Training include the Statutory definition that Risk Assessements are ‘Suitable and Sufficent’ in line with The Management (Of HSW) Regulations ?
So unless your Answers are Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes. Then your Training Programme is lacking and inadequate, as confirmed by the Six Potentially Fatal Incidents above.
Why because Worker Safety is important, very important and much too important to leave it to chance and Safe Systems of Work are much much more than just wearing Hard Hats, Safety Boots and High Viz Vests.
Lifting Operations are inherently dangerous as it always involves the Defeat of Gravity. Moreover it is just as Dangerous now, as it was when I was Erecting or Dismantling Cranes and your record simply confirms that.
So as a Safety Culture starts in the Boardroom, before it is followed on Shopfloor, may I suggest that all Falcon Directors and Managers undertake intensive Training in ‘Safe Systems of Work’ ASAP.
Please Publish your Formal Investigation Report ?
Yours sincerely
Mike Ponsonby
Silver Fox House
Fox Lane
Bromsgrove, Worcs. B617NL.
o
Good Evening Editor,
May I take this opportunity to nominate Tower Crane Operator Glen Edwards for a Kings Award in 2024 for his heroic act in utilising his Tower Crane and Man Basket to Rescue a Man from the roof of a Burning Building at the Station Hill development site in Reading on Thursday 23rd Nov 2023.
As this outstanding act of Heroism deserves public recognition via the Kings Award.
Kind Regards
Mike Ponsonby
o
FAO Andrew Brown - Director
FALCON TOWER CRANE SERVICES LTD
Shipdham Airfield Ind Estate
Thetford
Norfolk. IP25 7SD.
Good Morning Mr Brown,
As you know, I have Researched 1437 Crane and Lifting Incidents since Monday 7 May 2007. All of which has killed 810 Men and Women Worldwide of which 333 involved Tower Cranes, with your dropped jib above being 334.
Moreover Falcon is listed on 6 x seperate occasions in London, Liverpool, Canterbury, Crewe, Shipdham and now in Leith, Edinburgh.
By now you are probably asking, why are these Crane Incidents ongoing when I have spent all this money on Training. So please ask yourself the following questions
1. Does Falcons Training include all Directors and Managers ?
2. Does Falcons Training include all of the Employers Statutory Duties ?
3. Does Falcons Training include all of the Employees Own Statutory Duties ?
4. Does Falcons Training include the Common Law subject of ‘Safe Systems of Work'
5. Does Falcons Training include the Statutory definition that Risk Assessements are ‘Suitable and Sufficent’ in line with The Management (Of HSW) Regulations ?
So unless your Answers are Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes. Then your Training Programme is lacking and inadequate, as confirmed by the Six Potentially Fatal Incidents above.
Why because Worker Safety is important, very important and much too important to leave it to chance and Safe Systems of Work are much much more than just wearing Hard Hats, Safety Boots and High Viz Vests.
Lifting Operations are inherently dangerous as it always involves the Defeat of Gravity. Moreover it is just as Dangerous now, as it was when I was Erecting or Dismantling Cranes and your record simply confirms that.
So as a Safety Culture starts in the Boardroom, before it is followed on Shopfloor, may I suggest that all Falcon Directors and Managers undertake intensive Training in ‘Safe Systems of Work’ ASAP.
Please Publish your Formal Investigation Report ?
Yours sincerely
Mike Ponsonby
Silver Fox House
Fox Lane
Bromsgrove, Worcs. B617NL.