'Don't use cranes to lift people'

IPAF welcomes the position paper issued by the FEM Product Group for cranes and lifting equipment, which states that cranes should not be used for lifting people, except in exceptional circumstances where safety requirements have been fulfilled and undertaken at the specific responsibility of the user.

FEM (Fédération Européenne de la Manutention) is the European manufacturers' association for material handling equipment. In its position paper dated 16 May 2011 (document FEM CLE MC N 0284), the FEM Product Group for Cranes and Lifting Equipment states that: "Mobile cranes are not intended to lift persons; they may be used to suspend personnel in man baskets only in unique work situations when it is th