The creation of a statutory tower crane registration scheme to improve tower crane safety and public confidence in their safety has been announced.

The new register has been agreed alongside a package of measures to improve tower crane safety and is likely to be in place by April 2010.

"It's unacceptable that people are dying directly as a cause of their work with tower cranes and I want to prevent this toll of human misery," James Purnell, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said.

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"It is also important that the package of measures is successful in both improving tower crane safety and improving public confidence in cranes.

"HSE will consult with both the industry and the public to agree how both of these ends can best be achieved."

The register is part of a package of proposals to improve tower crane safety, including working with the industry to improve the competence of those involved in handling tower cranes and carrying out targeted inspection work over the next 12 months.

A voluntary system will precede the statutory scheme, and should be in operation later this year.

(JM/CD)