08.08.2007

Boys and a crane

Two boys photographed climbing a 23 metre high tower at a construction site on Navigation road in York triggered an angry outburst from a local councilor and the emergency services.

"Our major concern is the danger involved - not only to the people who are climbing but the people who have to go and deal with it should an accident happen." said York fire station manager Joe Calpin. “A call to an incident like this can take fire crews away from other emergencies.” He added.
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Two young boys explore the tower crane

The boys had somehow gained access to the fenced off site which is operated by the contractor, Harrisons. They were then able to climb the crane. After the incident the contractor began boarding up the bottom of the crane and fitting a locking door for the operator to gain access.

Councilor Brain Watson said: "I find it absolutely ridiculous that people would climb up there. They are risking their own lives and everybody else's who have to rescue them if they get stuck at the top.
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The crane concerned

"If they are 13 or 14 they are old enough to know better. To me, it's out of this world that kids can do things like that but I'd like to say thanks to Harrisons for blocking it off.

Vertikal Comment

The councilor was thanking Harrisons for securing the base of the crane, because he was clearly unaware that according to good industry practice a tower crane should always have a secured entrance at its base with only authorised personnel such as the operator being allowed to enter.
Typical construction site fences will never keep out the most determined youths, they will invariably find a way over them. And an unsecured tower crane or piece of construction equipment is like a magnet.
This demonstrates why in populated areas such as this securing the base of a carne is always a good idea, not to mention good practice.