15.04.2013

IPAF raises concerns over Bauma 'circus rides'

The International Powered Access Federation has raised serious concerns with the Bauma authorities over 50 metre high rides from a tower crane at this week’s Bauma exhibition in Munich.

The rides organised by AirEmotion on the stand of specialist truck manufacturer Paul-Nutzfahrzeuge, using a Liebherr 81K self-erecting tower crane owned by Nagel.

A promotion flier for the rides says: “AirEmotion offers daily flights between 9 am an 6 pm – don’t miss out on the chance of this breathtaking BAUMA experience! Tightly secured you will take off from the Heavy Mover of Paul-Nutzfahrzeuge, rotate on a Liebherr crane 81k of Nagel above the BAUMA with swinging wings until you touchdown safely in the landing zone! You can´t miss this unique experience! Of course you can bring you camera on board.”
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Riders suspended from the crane hook

Apart from the obvious fact that an activity such as this flies in the face of FEM advice on the lifting of people by cranes, another concern is that those taking part might drop their cameras or other possessions onto those in the aisles below.

A letter from IPAF chief executive Tim Whiteman to Georg Moller of Bauma asks that the organisers “immediately ban the use of cranes for circus rides at Bauma”.

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