Crane operator handed €5,000 fine for dropping workmen whilst on the phone

A crane operator has been convicted of negligently causing debilitating injuries to two workers, who were dropped in a cage from a height of over two storeys whilst he had been on the phone.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera found 42-year-old Jason Zammit criminally liable for the February 2006 incident which had occurred in Naxxar road, San Gwann, as the two workmen had been putting up a billboard.

34-year-old Ronnie Spiteri had spent 7 weeks in hospital after suffering two broken legs and a fractured pelvis and losing all nerve connection to his legs as a result of the fall, while 39-year-old Stephen Azzopardi's right arm had been so badly mangled that an onlooker had held his arm in place to keep him from losing it. Azzopardi also suffered a pelvic fracture. Both men underwent several surgical operations as a result.

The police had established that Zammit had been operating the crane at the time of the accident. Witnesses had told the court that several safety measures had been skipped or omitted, amongst them a safety latch, intended to prevent the hook from which the cage was suspended from disengaging itself from the crane.

A witness had testified to seeing Zammit talking on his mobile phone as he extended the crane's jib without adding length to cable from which the cage had been suspended by a hook. This had resulted in the hook hitting the jib, turning and releasing the cage.

Zammit had made no mention of being on the phone when he testified in his defence.

The court noted that aside from using the mobile phone while operating the crane, Zammit had also failed to ensure that the necessary safety equipment was used and did not ensure that the victims were wearing safety harnesses.

Finding the crane operator guilty of negligence and failing to observe health and safety laws, also noting that he had several previous convictions for aggravated theft, causing slight injury, and uttering insults and threats as well as having been jailed in the past, the court imposed a fine of €5,000.

The owners of Roc-a-Go are the subject of separate criminal proceedings.