Beware Of Falling Tower Cranes

According to a recent article in the Contract Journal UK contractors must be on their guard over counterfeit tower crane sections.

One leading manufacturers has warned its customers to be vigilant, calmly informing them that the "Use of counterfeit parts may result in the collapse of a tower crane, which may cause property loss, personal injury or death."

The current boom in the construction industry and the increasing height of buildings means crane hire companies have come under extreme pressure to get more crane sections and therefore maybe issuing non certified parts or counterfeits. There is also fears that companies may mix crane sections in an attempt to meet demand, which could have equally disastrous effects.

A spokesman for the Construction Confederation added: "Contractors need to be vigilant at all times. Where replacement parts have not been supplied by the original manufacturer, they should carry a CE mark."

Although the Health & Safety Executive is aware of the situation, it said it had received no report of counterfeit sections in the UK.