09.06.2008

Cranes & access

Paramedics called in a 40 metre Bronto truck mounted lift in order to rescue a suicidal man who had managed to gain access to and climb a tower crane working on the Doornfontein train station in South Africa.

The 28-year-old man, climbed onto the 35 metre-high crane and then shouted that he wanted to end his life.
as he teetered on the edge of the crane on Saturday afternoon. Passers-by heard him and called in the emergency services.

Vertikal Comment

Tower crane security is becoming a major issue not only for reasons of normal good practice, but also to prevent members of the public using the cranes for this sort of activity as well as publicity stunts. IN this case the crane was apparently not at work, but it can cause major disruption to work on site as well as being a major safety hazard.

Fences and security gates are readily available to prevent unauthorized entry to the crane tower, yet all too often they are not used.