Crane, Lifting & Elevating Work Platform Failure Analysis
Forensic Engineering Expert Witness – Australia Wide
Gilmore Engineers provides crane failure analysis and investigation across Australia, including Brisbane, for cranes, elevating work platforms (EWPs), and lifting equipment. Our engineers determine the root cause of crane incident investigations, EWP collapses, and lifting equipment failures, delivering independent expert reports and court testimony for lawyers, insurers, and loss adjusters.
Last updated: July 2026 | Reviewed by: Matt Gray
Gilmore Engineers are a forensic engineering company providing mechanical engineering experts in cranes, elevating work platforms and lifting equipment. Our engineer will analyse the evidence and locate the root cause of failures in these areas.
Over the last 30 years, Gilmore Engineers has been a leader in the analysis and investigation of incidents with machinery including crane failure analysis, elevating work platforms and lifting equipment analysis. Gilmore Engineers have provided more than 1,500 reports to lawyers, members of the legal profession and loss adjusters for matters before the Federal, Supreme and District Courts.
Gilmore Engineers examine the evidence that is available. They will give you an initial engineering assessment through a verbal opinion. If necessary, this opinion can be provided as a comprehensive report for the Court. Our experts will then follow through by presenting their evidence to the Court in person on your behalf if required.
Gilmore Engineers is a mechanical engineering consultancy firm with experience in lifting and elevating platform and crane failure investigation and analysis and crane accident investigation. See some of our crane incident investigations below.
Elevating Work Platform Failure Analysis
Elevating work platform (EWP) failures often result in serious injury, as operators can fall or be ejected when a boom, bucket, or control system fails. Our engineers investigate EWP failures including boom collapse, rod end and bearing failures, tilt control chain failures, and pivot pin failures — examining the mechanical components, maintenance history, and operating conditions to determine the root cause.
Lifting Equipment Failure Analysis
Lifting equipment failure analysis covers a broad range of equipment beyond cranes and EWPs, including rigging, slings, and load-bearing attachments. Our engineers assess whether a failure resulted from mechanical defect, overloading, improper rigging, or operator error, providing independent expert reports suitable for legal proceedings and insurance claims.
When You Need a Crane or Lifting Equipment Expert Witness
| Best for | Not ideal for |
|---|---|
Legal claims involving injury, death, or property damage from a crane, EWP, or lifting equipment failure Cases requiring independent root cause analysis and a court-ready expert report Insurance claims requiring technical investigation of a crane or lifting incident | Routine crane servicing or certification (not a forensic/legal matter) Design review before an incident has occurred — see our mechanical engineering consulting service instead |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does crane failure analysis involve?
Crane failure analysis involves inspecting the crane and failed components, reviewing maintenance and operator records, and applying engineering analysis to determine the root cause — resulting in a written expert report suitable for Court.
Do you provide crane failure investigation in Brisbane and across Australia?
Yes. Gilmore Engineers is based in Brisbane and provides crane failure investigation and analysis Australia-wide, including Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast, and Queensland mining regions.
What is included in a crane incident investigation?
A crane incident investigation includes site inspection, evidence gathering, review of maintenance and operator records, and engineering analysis to determine whether the cause was mechanical failure, operator error, or another contributing factor.
Do you investigate elevating work platform (EWP) failures?
Yes. We investigate EWP failures including boom collapse, rod end and bearing failures, and control system failures, in addition to crane and general lifting equipment failures.
Will the engineer give evidence in Court?
Yes, if required. Our experts present their findings to the Court in person and respond to questions from the judge and barristers for both parties.
Cranes & Elevating Work Platforms Experience
Cranes
Elevating Work Platforms
Incident Experience
- Tower Cranes
- Overhead Crane
- Crawler Cranes
- Mobile Cranes
- Franna
- Gantry Cranes
- Telehandlers
- Jib Cranes
- Scissor Lifts
- Self-Propelled Boom Lifts
- Vertical Lift
- Trailer-Mounted Boom Lift
- Truck-Mounted Boom Lift
- Crane dropping load
- Mobile crane crashes
- Crane collapse
- Injuries and fatalities
- Operator error
- EWP collapse
- Failing from the EWP bucket
- Lifting equipment failures
Crane Incident Investigations - Case Studies
Crane Dropped Multi Million Dollar Equipment
A crane was slowly lowering a large piece of mining equipment then suddenly allowed the load to descend rapidly, causing catastrophic damage to both pieces of equipment. Gilmore Engineers was engaged to identify the cause of the incident. Our expert engineers inspected the crane on several occasions and had components removed for further testing. Several factors contributing to the multi-million dollar loss were identified.
Overhead Gantry Crane Fatality
An unloaded overhead gantry crane was in operation when one of its guide roller assemblies failed, falling to the ground. The anti-derailment plate then malfunctioned, causing the other roller assembly to fail. The crane dislodged from the rail and crashed to the ground. The falling crane struck a person resulting in their death. Our engineer assessed the root cause of this tragic incident.
Crane Damaged Whilst Unloading From Ship
A crane was being unloaded from a ship when it swung impacting the dock, causing it damage. Our engineers evaluated video footage of the incident and inspected the crane at the port. After the crane had been disassembled, it was reinspected by our engineer to assess the damage and advise on appropriate action.
Mobile Crane Rollover
A mobile crane rolled over while negotiating a right-hand bend in the road. The driver claimed he was doing less than the speed limit and was slowing into the curve. The driver suffered fractured vertebrae during the incident. A thorough investigation looked at the road, the mechanical status of the vehicle, the tyres, speed and the path taken.
Crane Tipping Over at Wharf
A crane lifted an excavator from a ships hold then slewed the excavator towards the wharf. During this process, the crane tipped over, resulting in damage to both the crane and excavator. Gilmore Engineers were engaged in investigating the incident and determining the cause of the crane tipping over.
Falling onto Roof from an EWP
A person was lopping trees and branches from the bucket at the end of an extension arm of an Elevating Work Platform (EPW). The upper boom fell rapidly, ejecting the person from the bucket onto the roof of a two-storey house, then to the ground, causing severe injuries.
Rod End failure on an EWP
The bearing in a rod end on an elevating work platform (EWP) seized, leading to the failure of the rod end. This caused the EWP to collapse with the operator sustaining severe injuries. Our Engineer inspected the EWP and the failed rod end, to determine the cause of the bearing seizure.
Elevating Work Platform (EWP) Collapse
The operator of an elevating work platform (EWP) suffered severe injuries when it collapsed. During operation of the EWP, the pivot pin moved subsequently fell out, leading to the collapse of the upper boom arm.
Tilt Control Chain Failure on an EWP
The tilt control chain on an Elevating Work Platform (EWP) bucket broke. As a result in the bucket suddenly swung back and the occupant fell from the bucket. Our engineer inspected the EWP and the bucket tilt control chain identifying the cause of the failure.