Skanska UK insists on anti-crushing devices on booms

International construction and infrastructure company Skanska, headquartered in Sweden has announced that will only use boom type aerial work platforms on its UK sites that are equipped with anti-crushing devices.

Over recent months, Skanska has been working closely with manufacturers and suppliers and trialling safety devices specifically designed to guard against crush type injuries to operators and raise the alarm in the event an operator encounters an entrapment situation.

A number of safety devices are now, or will shortly become commercially available in the UK. Therefore Skanska will, as from January 3rd 2012, require all boom-type MEWPs (IPAF Category 3b) that are hired by the company to have additional crush protection fitted.

Skanska will also require these extra safety features to be in place on all MEWPs provided by Skanska's supply chain as of April 2nd 2012.

Dylan Roberts, director of health & safety for Skanska UK said, "The safety of those who work with Skanska is a number one priority for us. Following the tragedy in 2008 [a fatality from crushing on a Skanska UK site] we felt it imperative to make a step change in the training and competence of users of MEWPs and the introduction of additional safety measures. I am very pleased that we have finally been able to take this step. We encourage the UK construction industry to follow suit."