Bow crane collapse: HSE urged to publish initial findings

Unite the union has urged HSE to publish the initial findings from its investigation into a crane collapse in Bow, London.

Last month a 20m tower crane collapsed on a construction site in east London, killing one person and injuring four.

Unite’s national officer for construction, Jerry Swain, called for the publication of the findings to lift the “cloud of suspicion” from the crane operators of the company involved, Wolffkran Ltd.

He said: “The HSE cannot be seen to be trying to sweep the investigation into this accident under the carpet. It is already nearly seven weeks since the accident occurred.”

“The company concerned and the workers involved have a cloud of suspicion hanging over them and this is almost certainly unfair.”

Last month, a Wolffkran spokesperson said that the type of crane used has been “reliable in operation worldwide” and had already been fully erected.

Due to the nature of the collapse, winter weather concerns and the coronavirus pandemic, removal of the crane could take up to six months, according to Tower Hamlets council.

Swan Housing, the firm responsible for securing and removing the crane, has appointed a specialist contractor to carry out the work.