Safety Measures Prevent Injuries After Crane Failure at Hinkley Point C
A crane load failure at the Hinkley Point C construction site in early November 2025 caused two large formwork shutters to fall, one breaking in half and the other dropping unexpectedly. Thanks to established safety exclusion zones, no workers were injured during the incident. The event was captured on video and widely shared, prompting an immediate response from the main contractor.
Bylor, the joint venture of Bouygues and Laing O’Rourke overseeing the project, swiftly suspended all similar lifting operations and launched an investigation into the cause. The stacked shutters had been part of a routine lifting operation when the bottom unit failed, causing the other shutter to drop. A Hinkley Point C spokesperson emphasized that safety remains the highest priority and that all procedures would be reviewed before work resumes.
The incident highlights the effectiveness of exclusion zones and strict safety protocols, which ensured that no personnel were in the drop path. Physical barriers and controlled access played a key role in preventing injuries, demonstrating the critical importance of rigorous safety planning on large-scale construction projects.
Beyond the site itself, the Hinkley Point C crane failure serves as a reminder to the UK construction industry of the risks involved in complex operations. The temporary shutdown for investigation reinforces that safety takes precedence over speed, and even routine tasks require careful oversight. The successful handling of this incident is expected to influence safety standards on future nuclear and large-scale infrastructure projects across the country.
