Morgan Ashurst has been running 鈥渃rane rescue鈥� drills in an effort to reduce site accidents.

The firm, which is part of Morgan Sindall, has teamed up with emergency services and safety systems provider Taskmasters to practise crisis procedures.

The simulations, which have been conducted in Eastbourne, East Sussex, and Durham, include rescuing a driver who had suffered a heart attack in a 30m high crane cab and helping someone who was suspended from a jib.

Martin Worthington, Morgan Ashurst鈥檚 health, safety and environment director said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e always been conscious of the issue but over the past couple of years it鈥檚 moved up the agenda.鈥�

The news comes as the Strategic Forum鈥檚 health and safety group met to discuss crane safety for the second time. At the meeting last Friday committees were set up to address issues such as working hours for drivers and using cranes more than 10 years old.

精东影视鈥檚 Safety Skyline campaign has called for tighter crane safety measures since a spate of fatalities at the turn of the year.