02.03.2012
Cranes in UK to be subject to MoT
A British MP has said that the UK Department for Transport has assured him that it will act on making road worthiness tests (MoT- Ministry of Transport test) a legal requirement for cranes.
Sir Robert Smith member of parliament for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine has said that the department for transport has informed him that it will act on mobile crane MoTs becoming law.
The move follows the death of Ann Copeland, 45, and daughters Ciara, seven, and Niamh, 10, from Johnshaven, Scotland, who died after their car skidded on hydraulic oil that had leaked from a passing crane and crashed into an oncoming vehicle.
Sheriff Kenneth Stewart made the recommendation last month at Stonehaven Sheriff Court, following the conclusion of a Fatal Accident Inquiry.
Click here for Sheriff calls for UK crane road worthiness tests
Mobile cranes are currently exempted from any third party inspection, but Smith told reporters that he had been assured that the intention was to remove the exemption. "There are procedures involved, but I am going to pursue the timetable. The whole point of these Inquiries is that lessons are learned. Cranes have to be roadworthy."
During the summing up at the inquiry Stewart said that if the crane's owners and operators, William Whyte Cargo Handlers – which trades as Whyte Crane Hire - had operated a programme of planned preventative maintenance for the crane, based at least on the recommendations contained in the manufacturer's manual, the accident might have been avoided.
Vertikal Comment
The issue of compulsory inspections for cranes is still a divisive issue among the crane rental industry in the UK. Most major companies are in favour, although there is concern about practicalities, such as the availability of testing stations large enough to handle larger cranes and that this might also bring in driver and fuel implications that currently only apply commercial vehicles that earn their living on the public highway, such as delivery trucks and vehicle mounted aerial lifts under 3.5 tonnes.
This need not be the case and the crane rental industry’s association, the CPA has a strong track record of defending a common sense and fair approach to such regulation. All things considered this is something that has to happen sooner or later. It might also help the better crane rental companies by driving some of the oldest and most poorly maintained cranes – those operated by the industry’s worst rate-cutters - off the road.
Steve Sparrow
I think properly maintained running gear is as essential on cranes as any other vehicle.
In the case of the fatalities that got the politician riled, how would a standard MOT pick up issues in the hydraulic system of the crane?
Does the MOT even look at non drive-train components?
Bryan Cronie
Why am I not surprised - it has been coming for a long time, there certainly are many old cranes traveling the roads of the UK, but it must be said that there are many reputable, caring Crane Companys who probably carry out better inspections than any MOT Centre will ever do. This is a clear case of "the few having failed to implement good maintenance systems have just provided another expense for the reputable who have robust comprehensive systems in place". Something that the Industry cannot really afford in the current climate.
m.o.t. about time! for years i have been saying this should happen. too many companies think a service is just oil and filter because they are to lazy to take the wheels off and do a proper inspection.the companies i have worked for give a job for the crane at noon and expect the fitter to service the crane in the morning, cant be done. writing your own certificate has to stop, cranes have got away with it too long, believe me most of the ones i have driven in the last 15 years have been falling apart. roadside che3cks would be a start.