Corus fined after crane topples

STEEL giant Corus has been fined £100,000 after an employee’s “miraculous” escape from a falling crane highlighted serious training shortfalls.

Safety alarms were fitted to a model of Caterpillar crane when employees noticed how unsteady they were when picking up loads.

But none of the steelworkers who drove the machine at the Aldwarke plant were trained how to use these “safe working load” devices.

Night shift worker Michael Spiewak jumped through the cab’s side window when his crane overturned while lifting large steel blooms he had accidentally knocked over.

His safety device was switched off at the time because he had not been taught how to use it, Sheffield Crown Court heard last Friday.

The company admitted breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

It was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay more than £9,900 costs after the HSE prosecution.