New legislation to improve the safety of tower cranes on construction sites have been laid before Parliament, paving the way for the start of a statutory registration scheme.

The regulations, developed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), will come into force on 6 April. They include a register of conventional tower cranes which is being set up in response to increasing concerns about crane safety.

Eight people have been killed in incidents involving tower cranes since 2000, including one member of the public, and more have been injured.

The register is part of a package of measures being taken to improve tower crane safety. The HSE is working closely with the construction industry to achieve this.

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Health and Safety Minister Lord McKenzie said: "It's completely unacceptable that lives are put at risk because of unsafe tower cranes. The new register will encourage high standards of safety on site and give the public confidence that these huge machines are being operated responsibly.

"The register is just one of the steps that the Government is taking to improve safety. HSE is developing specific competencies for crane erectors and dismantlers, conducting research into crane design standards, examining the effect of wind loading on cranes and looking to better understand the causes of crane failures internationally."

The new regulations place a 'duty to notify' on the employer. Employers will have to notify the HSE of relevant information, including the site address and the name and address of the crane owners. HSE will have to be notified within 14 days of a through examination of the crane, which must be carried out following installation or re-installation on a site before it can put into service.

All information notified to the HSE will be contained in the register and the public will be able to request details.

(CD/GK)