Flannery is reinforcing its commitment to workforce development and gender inclusion by hosting Women in Construction Day on 7 March, welcoming women to its Operator Skills Hubs to explore training pathways, career opportunities, and long-term roles across the construction industry.

A tower crane collapsed onto a passenger vehicle in Leiria, Portugal, during Storm Kristin as extreme winds swept through central and northern parts of the country. While no injuries were reported from the crane incident, the collapse highlights the critical risks tower cranes face during severe weather events and the importance of early shutdown and storm preparation procedures.

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has issued its three millionth Powered Access Licence (PAL) Card, marking a major milestone for operator training and safety standards in the powered access industry.

A tower crane collapse in Ibiza on Saturday, January 10 occurred during reported high wind conditions at a coastal construction site. While investigations are ongoing, the incident highlights how wind gusts, decision-making, and stop-work discipline play a critical role in preventing crane accidents in exposed environments

Two men died after a mobile container crane struck and overturned a 66-ft JLG telescopic boom lift at the Eifeltor railway container yard in Cologne on December 6. The workers were performing maintenance at a height of 16–17 meters when the lift was pushed over. One man died at the scene, while the second died later in hospital. Authorities have launched a joint police and safety investigation into the incident.

A four-axle all-terrain crane towing a three-axle ballast trailer rolled into a ditch in the Netherlands after the verge of a narrow rural road collapsed. The Grove crane, from the Peinemann rental fleet, had taken a wrong turn onto Bonnenweg between Hoek van Holland and Maasdijk. The operator escaped without injury but was treated for shock. A complex recovery operation using two six-axle cranes was completed later in the week.

A stolen Genie GS-5390 rough-terrain scissor lift was driven through the streets of Cork, Ireland, on Sunday night after being taken from St Patrick’s Quay. The machine struck bollards and travelled onto public roads before being stopped by Gardaí on South Gate Bridge. Two men were arrested for criminal damage. No injuries were reported during the 15-minute incident.

A boom lift operator has been sentenced after pleading guilty to health and safety breaches following a serious MEWP incident in Glasgow in 2022. The operator failed to provide fall protection, safety instructions, or traffic control while a colleague worked from the platform. A bus struck the boom lift, catapulting the worker from height and causing life-altering injuries. The main contractor had already been fined £215,000.

An Ainscough all-terrain crane dropped a fixed rear counterweight slab while travelling on the A249 near Maidstone, Kent. The incident involved a Liebherr LTM 1100 and resulted in no injuries or vehicle damage. Ainscough’s investigation identified a failed securing bolt as the cause and prompted an immediate inspection campaign across its fleet. The company has issued an industry alert encouraging crane owners to review counterweight fixing inspections.

RSS rebrands its Training Academy to align with the LEEA State of the Lifting Industry Report and strengthen skills, safety and compliance.

Ainscough Crane Hire achieves Gold membership in The 5% Club Employer Audit Scheme, recognising its outstanding commitment to apprenticeships, graduate programmes, and workforce development.

A 34-year-old crane maintenance technician was seriously injured after an externally mounted tower crane hoist dropped 50–60 metres at a construction site in Tilburg, the Netherlands. The incident occurred on September 26 while the technician was carrying out inspection or repair work. The Labour Inspectorate has launched an investigation, and the site’s main contractor and crane operator, Hujmans, has confirmed full cooperation.

An 80-ft Genie Z-80 boom lift fell from a delivery truck while being unloaded on Antwerp Straat in Boom, Belgium, seriously injuring a 30-year-old man. The boom lift, from the Rob Verhuur rental fleet, caused the street to be closed for several hours. The injured man sustained serious head injuries and remains in critical condition. Local authorities and the Occupational Wellbeing Inspectorate are investigating.

A worker was killed after a tower crane overturned at a construction site in Tavira, Portugal, near the Tavira Plaza commercial centre. The crane tower collapsed onto site office containers, trapping the worker beneath rubble. Another worker suffered minor injuries. The crane was installed on a counterweighted cruciform base. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse.

A mobile self-erecting tower crane caught fire on the M11 motorway in Essex on Wednesday, causing the road to close for several hours. The Spierings crane, operated by City Lifting, had pulled onto the hard shoulder when the fire broke out. No injuries were reported. Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the fire following recovery of the crane.

A 32-year-old man was killed in Harelbeke, Belgium, after being thrown from a boom lift during a lifting operation at an industrial construction site. The boom lift was working in conjunction with an all-terrain crane when a web sling is believed to have failed, causing sudden load transfer toward the platform. Authorities have launched a formal investigation, though the cause has not yet been confirmed.

A tunnel in North Wales was closed for three days after an all-terrain crane caught fire while travelling through the Conwy Tunnel on the A55. The incident occurred Thursday afternoon in the westbound lane and involved a two-axle Terex crane owned by Kendley Steel. No injuries were reported, but a 35-mile diversion was required while recovery and repairs were completed.

Two men were injured, one seriously, after a tower crane broke in two at a shipyard in Maasbracht, Limburg, in the Netherlands. The incident occurred at the Tinnemans Shipbuilding yard. One worker was rescued from the tower using a fire service platform. Early indications suggest a possible failure at a tower connection. Authorities are investigating.

A new Liebherr LTC mobile crane operated by Ainscough Crane Hire was destroyed by fire on the A38 in Plymouth on July 22. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Liebherr and Ainscough. Damage appears concentrated in the engine bay, highlighting ongoing fire risks associated with mobile crane engine compartments, even in well-maintained fleets.