A coroner has issued a safety warning after a scaffolder died when a hydraulic arm came down on him. Father-of-two Michael Harrison, 42, from Tyldesley, was crushed to death.
A jury inquest into his death concluded Mr Harrison was wearing a remote control which operated the arm over his head and across his chest 'causing the inadvertent movement of the crane arm'. The remote control 'had not been isolated'. Now Cheshire coroner Jacqueline Devonish has warned that other deaths could occur unless safety measures are introduced.
Mr Harrison, who was employed as a driver by 3D Scaffolding of Irlam, was working at the Victoria Mills in Macclesfield Road, Holmes Chapel, when the incident occurred on February 26, 2021. The inquest jury returned a conclusion of misadventure.
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In a 'prevention of future deaths' report published by the corner, the circumstances of the death were outlined. The report said: "Michael Harrison was a driver for a scaffolding firm. On 26 February 2021 he was working at Victoria Mills, Macclesfield Road, Holmes Chapel. Whilst unloading scaffolding from a Hiab truck the Hiab arm (a crane-like device) came down on him, causing crushing injuries which proved fatal.
"The jury found that he was wearing the remote control over his head and across his chest causing the inadvertent movement of the crane arm. The remote control had not been isolated during the unloading activity."
Outlining his concerns, the coroner wrote: "During the course of the inquest it was evident that the HIAB design had no obvious audible sound when the crane arm was being operated by Mr Harrison. When giving evidence the 3D Scaffolding managing director stated that in a review of the safety of the remote control and risk of inadvertent operation of the crane in similar circumstances, he had subsequently made a written request for an audible sound and consideration of a two handed remote operation design."
The coroner has sent the report to AALMI, the trade association for the lorry loader industry as well as Cheshire Police and SD Scaffolding.
“In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken,” said the coroner.
The association has until August 8 to responds to her concerns. The coroner wrote: "Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed."
At the time of his death, Mr Harrison's family paid moving tributes to him. His sister Michelle said that he 'went to work... and never came home'.
She said: "He was such a hard-working lad with a massive heart and he'd always manage to find his way to a party on a weekend! He lived and breathed for for his two girls, Katie and Abbie.
"He spent 18 years with their mum Kirsty and met his soul mate Janine, six months ago. They had only just moved in together two weeks ago as well."
Michael was a Liverpool fan and Michelle described him as 'massively into his music'. For a time he ran The Queens pub in Tyldesley, where he hosted a number of up-and-coming bands, including Catfish and the Bottlemen.
AALMI has been approached for a comment.
