Sweden Elevator Fall Results in Deaths

Five people died in the fall of a construction site elevator in Stockholm, Sweden, on December 11, Reuters is among outlets to report. The construction elevator fell 20 m with five people inside, according to U.S. News & World Report. “The crime classification in the ongoing preliminary investigation is work environment crime including causing the death of another,” Sweden’s Prosecution Authority said in a statement. According to a press release from Alimak Group, the hoist used in the accident is an Alimak Scando 650, a standard lift used on construction sites to transport passengers and materials at height. It has been manufactured in the thousands and used on construction sites every day all over the world for the past 20 years. Upon installation of the hoist, a safety protocol is provided with clear instructions. The protocol also includes daily safety checks to ensure the lift is working as intended before it is put into service. “In the 20 years that this model has been in use, we have never experienced anything like this. Alimak has put a team of experts at the disposal of the investigation to determine the course of events and find the cause of the accident,” said Ole Kristian Jødahl, CEO of Alimak Group.