Boom Lift Fatality Reported in Harelbeke, Belgium

30-Second Takeaway

A 32-year-old man was killed in Harelbeke, Belgium, after being thrown from a boom lift while working at an industrial construction site. The incident occurred during a lifting operation involving a boom lift working in conjunction with an all-terrain crane. Early information suggests a web sling failure may have caused a sudden load transfer to the platform, but this has not yet been formally confirmed. Labour authorities have launched a full investigation.

Incident Overview

A fatal access-equipment incident occurred yesterday in Harelbeke, near Kortrijk, Belgium.

The victim, aged 32, was working from the platform of a crawler boom lift believed to be a Japanese-built unit from the TVH / Mateco rental fleet when he was thrown from the platform during a lifting operation.

Despite emergency response efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

What Is Known

• Location: Harelbeke, near Kortrijk, Belgium

• Equipment involved: Crawler boom lift (rented via TVH / Mateco fleet)

• Other equipment: All-terrain crane operating nearby

• Victim: Male, 32

• Employer: Local contractor erecting an industrial building

• Outcome: Fatal injuries

At the time of publication, only one photograph of the scene has been received.

Apparent Sequence of Events

Information received so far indicates that:

• A web sling holding a load may have failed

• The failure may have caused sudden load transfer toward the boom-lift platform

• The resulting shock or movement ejected the worker from the platform

While these details are consistent with multiple sources, they have not yet been confirmed beyond reasonable doubt and should not be treated as official findings.

Official Response

The Ghent-region Labour Inspectorate confirmed that it has launched a formal investigation and appointed a technical expert.

In a statement, the inspectorate said:

“The investigation will focus on various legal obligations related to occupational safety and employee well-being.”

The owner of the boom lift was contacted as a courtesy and stated:

“I cannot add anything to this myself, we only know what has appeared in the press.”

Investigation Status

At the time of publication:

• A technical investigation is ongoing

• Equipment interaction between the crane, load, and MEWP is under review

• No official cause has been confirmed

• Further details are expected once expert findings are released

Crane Hub Global will update this article as verified information becomes available.

Industry Context

Structural or platform failures on boom lifts are extremely rare. When incidents involving MEWPs do occur, they are often linked to:

• External impact forces

• Being struck by a dropped or swinging load

• Shock loading from adjacent lifting operations

Sudden, unintended load transfer to a work platform can generate forces far beyond what MEWPs are designed to absorb.

Industry Reminder

MEWPs are designed to provide safe access not to absorb impact or load forces. Combining lifting operations with elevated work introduces serious interaction risks if separation is not maintained.

This tragic incident underscores the importance of rigging integrity, operational separation, and conservative work planning.

Editorial Note

Crane Hub Global reports on crane and access-equipment incidents to support industry awareness and prevention. Apparent causes are clearly identified where official findings are pending. This article will be updated as verified information becomes available.

How Incidents Like This Can Be Prevented

Separation of Lifting and Access Operations

MEWPs should not be positioned where load failure or swing could impact the platform.

Sling and Rigging Inspection

Rigging components must be inspected, rated, and matched to load dynamics, including shock-load risk.

No-Load-Over-Platform Rule

Loads should never pass over or near occupied work platforms unless specifically engineered and controlled.

Clear Lift and Access Coordination

Crane and MEWP operations must be fully coordinated, with defined exclusion and interaction zones.

Stop-Work Authority

Any abnormal load movement, rigging concern, or unexpected force should trigger an immediate stop and reassessment.