Cranes and lifting equipment are designed for cargo, not for people. Therefore, as a clear main rule, it is forbidden to lift people with equipment that is not specifically built and approved for the purpose, such as a personnel lift or a lift. Nevertheless, there is a narrow exception where a person under strict conditions may be lifted in a work basket suspended from a crane — and precisely because it is an exception to the main rule, the requirements are stricter.
§When is the exception relevant
The exception is intended for occasional and short-term work tasks where it is not practical or proportionate to use a purpose-built aid such as a lift scaffolding or people lifter. If the task is regular or of longer duration the requirement is that you use instead an aid that is actually designed for lifting or holding persons—the exception must not become a fixed work method because it is easier to set up than the proper equipment.
§Requirements for the work basket
- 01The basket must have a solid railing of sufficient height and a tight, slip-resistant floor
- 02The suspension must be designed so the basket cannot tip or fall off the hook — a single hook with an ordinary safety latch is not sufficient securing on its own
- 03The total weight of the basket and persons must be well below the crane's and rigging's capacity at the current setup, so there is a solid margin
- 04There must be an agreed and tested method for safely lowering the load if the crane's normal functions fail during operation
§Requirements for the operator and the crane
The crane must be operated by a certified crane operator who remains at the controls throughout the lifting of persons — the crane is not left while anyone is suspended in the basket. Extra requirements are placed on the crane's stability and positioning, because the consequence of an error is significantly greater when it is people and not goods suspended in the air.
§Communication and emergency procedure
The people in the cage must be able to communicate with the crane operator throughout the lift — typically by radio — so they can report if something feels wrong or if the work requires a different position. An emergency procedure is also agreed in advance: what do you do if the power or hydraulics fail while the cage is hanging up.
§Young and particularly vulnerable.
Young people under 18 must as a general rule not be in a work basket lifted by crane or similar equipment and generally stricter limits apply to what work young people may do at height. The rule is connected with the fundamental idea behind the entire exception: the greater the consequence a mistake can have the tighter the requirements before resorting to the solution at all.