A CORONER has taken action after a lorry driver was crushed to death by a crane while unloading scaffolding from his truck.
Michael Harrison was pinned to a pallet of scaffolding by the arm of the integrated crane on his lorry after he accidentally engaged it with the remote control he was wearing around his neck.
The tragedy occurred at the Victoria Mills housing development near Holmes Chapel on February 26, 2021, when the project was still in its demolition phase.
The 42-year-old, who was making a delivery on behalf of his employer, 3D Scaffolding in Irlam, was pinned for 10 minutes before a digger driver released him using his vehicle's grab attachment.
Colleagues and paramedics attempted to resuscitate Michael, of Oldham, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The dad-of-two had been suffering dizzy spells in the run up to the tragedy and had been proscribed medication, though he hadn't gone back to his GP to renew the prescription once it had run out.
An inquest into Michael’s death convened by Cheshire’s senior coroner, Jacqueline Devonish, concluded on June 10, when a jury returned a verdict of death by misadventure.
In evidence, the jury heard how the managing director of 3D Scaffolding had raised concerns about the crane, which made no audible sound when moving, as well as the possibility of operators unintentionally engaging it with the remote control.
Following the verdict, Ms Devonish has written to the Association of Lorry Loader Manufacturers and Importers (ALLMI) as part of her statutory Prevention of Future Deaths report process.
In the report, she states: "During the course of the inquest, it was evident [the crane] design had no obvious audible sound when the arm was being operated by Mr Harrison.
"When giving evidence, the 3D Scaffolding managing director stated in a review of the safety of the remote control and risk of inadvertent operation of the crane in similar circumstances.
"He had subsequently made a written request for an audible sound and consideration of a two-handed remote operation design.
“Action should be taken to prevent future deaths, and I believe ALLMI has the power to take such action. In the circumstances, it is my statutory duty to report to you.”
ALLMI have 56 days to respond to Ms Devonish’s request by outlining what action, if any, they plan to take to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.
A copy of Ms Devonish’s report was also sent to the Health and Safety Executive, the chief coroner, Cheshire Police, and 3D Scaffolding.
On the opening day of the inquest, Michael’s sister, Michelle Jones, described her brother as ‘one of a kind’, adding: “He was a brilliant dad to his two girls, Katie and Abbie. He lived for his family.
“He was so popular, and made friends so easily wherever he went.
“He was a work hard, play hard, kind of a guy, and a bit of a party animal. Most of his wages went on festival tickets.
"He could be a pain in the backside sometimes, but it's probably the same with all big brothers."
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