A Mearns MP is leading a campaign for the introduction of MOTs for mobile cranes, following the tragic death of a mother and her two children.
Sir Robert Smith tabled a motion in Parliament yesterday calling for regulated safety checks, after a poorly-maintained crane was implicated in the deaths of Johnshaven woman Ann Copeland (45) and her two daughters, Niamh and Ciara, aged 10 and seven.
A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) found that the accident on the A92 Stonehaven-Montrose road near St Cyrus in 2008 was probably attributable to hydraulic fluid leaking from a mobile crane.
Sheriff Kenneth Stewart, who conducted the inquiry, recommended an urgent introduction of MOT testing for such machines.
Sir Robert said: ”FAIs can never undo a tragedy like this but they can reduce the risk of a repeat by ensuring vital lessons are learnt.
”This motion highlights to Parliament the crucial finding of the sheriff that mobile cranes should now be tested like most other vehicles on our roads.”
Sir Robert’s early day motion called for the Government to introduce legislation to remove the exemption for mobile cranes.
It has been sponsored by MPs from across the political spectrum, including Ann Begg, Sir Malcolm Bruce, Mike Weir and Fiona Bruce.
The motion points to the Department of Transport’s own consultation document, which recognises that the UK currently does not meet an EU directive on crane safety.
Under current rules, mobile cranes are completely exempt from MOTs and since the accident, Barry Copeland, the surviving husband and father, has called for the rules to be changed.
In recognition of his efforts, Mr Copeland was awarded a certificate of merit from the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
He said: ”I regard this move as a very positive step forwards but there is a long way to go and pressure needs to be maintained on the Department of Transport from all quarters.
”I would also like to thank Sir Robert for his unceasing efforts on my behalf.”
Mrs Copeland was taking her daughters to school in the family’s Citroen Saxo when tragedy struck in January 2008.
The FAI at Stonehaven Sheriff Court heard that a mechanic had been tasked to fix a leak from a hydraulic pipe on the Terex crane responsible for the oil spill on the road.
It was found that the leaking seal had not been repaired for at least two years, despite being noted during six-monthly checks carried out by the insurers.
Since the outcome of the case, Mr Copeland has taken a break from his job as a maths teacher and is studying Italian and Spanish. He is also setting up a trust fund in honour of his family.