04.09.2013

Volvo boss rides a crane

A number of you have sent us the YouTube video of Volvo Truck president Claes Nilsson demonstrating the strength of a hook on one of his trucks by riding it while suspended from a harbour crane.
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Claes Nilsson rides a crane

Many of you referred to the fact that he does not appear to have any form of safety harness on, although the poor sound man suspended above him is well secured.

The point he is demonstrating is his faith in his product, what he might be forgetting is that his life is actually in the hands of the crane manufacturer and maintenance engineers, the rope manufacturer and the crane operator. Really that is where his faith needs to be.
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The sound engineer is suspended above

A Death Wish? technically perhaps, but in spirit? - probably not. The risk assessments would have been extensive and he is making sure that he has a good grip on that pole, no matter how relaxed he wants to appear. And it now appears that he was in fact wearing a hidden harness, which is no great surprise given Volvo's reputation, more on this in a follow up article.

Vertikal Comment

Many aerial lift and crane people think this is all wrong, and strictly speaking they are of course right, however it is a stunt and we kind of like it, although we know we shouldn’t…. read our latest editorial above and vote, if you haven’t already.

The confirmation that he was in fact wearing a harness will spoil it for some, but it makes sound sense and if the truck part did break, the embarrassment and loss of face would not be made worse by him plunging to his death. Nice one Volvo.