08.08.2023

Scissor lift fatality

We can now finally confirm that a fatal incident that occurred in Salford, Manchester in the UK on July 25th, did in fact involve an aerial work platform after all.

In the incident, at Hilton Square, Swinton/Salford, two men were working with a scissor lift - apparently a 32/33ft slab electric machine - when it was struck by a travelling overhead crane, knocked it over, resulting in the death of Mark Tatlock, 41, while seriously injuring another.

While photographs from the local press show a fire rescue ladder and a crowd of onlookers standing outside an automatic car wash at the top of the street, we have it on good authority that the incident occurred in a steel fabrication shop further down the road, and involved one of its overhead cranes.

A coroner’s hearing was scheduled for last Friday, but is likely to have been adjourned. The local police have confirmed that the incident did involve a platform, and that the HSE is involved with the investigation. That is all the information that we have been able to confirm categorically so far. We have asked the fabrication company if it could confirm or deny the incident, or possibly comment, but have yet to hear back.

We will of course update this item when we learn more.

Vertikal Comment

This is a tragic event but the overturning of a scissor lift by a travelling overhead crane is a fairly regular occurrence in a number of countries. Perhaps there should be a clear mandate that whenever an aerial lift is working in the immediate area those rsponsible for safety at the facility ensure that all overheard cranes are shut down and cannot be restarted until the area is clear?

For those working at height in a facility which has overhead cranes within reach of the work area, we would suggest that you check for yourself that the cranes are disabled and cannot be operated before you start.