IPAF: tower cranes are for loads, not people

IPAF has applauded the position paper issued by the European manufacturers’ association for material handling equipment, FEM (Fédération Européenne de la Manutention) stating that tower cranes are not for entertainment use.

The FEM Product Group for Cranes and Lifting Equipment, Sub-Group for Tower and Harbour Cranes stated that: “Tower cranes are, in general, designed and manufactured to lift loads as the intended use. All other uses are not allowed by manufacturers. When a user of a tower crane decides to operate a tower crane not in line with the intended use as described by the manufacturer, the user is responsible for a risk assessment according to the national work place safety regulations and he does so under his own responsibility.”

The FEM position paper added: “For professional use, national labour regulations may allow tower cranes to be used to hoist and suspend personnel in man baskets only in unique work situations when it is the least hazardous way to do the job… For any other use not described in the instruction handbook (for example, entertainment purposes), national regulations of the member states must be followed.”

The FEM position paper was drafted in response to IPAF’s request for clarification on the matter after a company offered crane rides for sale at the bauma construction show in Munich, Germany in 2013.

IPAF is also calling for a ban on the use of cranes for circus rides at all professional construction shows.