Construction union UCATT are calling for the creation of a fully comprehensive crane register in order to improve safety standards.

In their submission to the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) consultation on creating a tower crane register, UCATT argue that the register should be fully comprehensive and that not only conventional tower cranes should be on the register. Ideally UCATT argue that all forms of self-erecting cranes should be registered and that there is absolutely no justification for towed tower cranes which operate in a manner very similar to conventional tower cranes not being registered.

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The union also argue that in order to reduce accidents and to increase public confidence in the safety of cranes, the register should not be limited to construction but all cranes should be registered. In recent years there have been several accidents involving cranes in docks, including serious accidents that occurred at Southampton Docks in January 2008 and July 2009.

UCATT also strongly disagree with the proposal that a company has up to 14 days to register the erection of a crane online. UCATT argue that in order for the register to be entirely effective in promoting a safer working environment a company should register the erection of a tower crane within three days.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "The decision to establish a crane register is good news but in order for it to be truly effective it must be truly comprehensive. There must be no half measures or there is a real danger that the safety benefits that the establishment of a register should provide could be weakened."

(CD/GK)