Tower Crane Exercise on 21 September 2003

Why were we doing it? - to train to rescue people from structures like these if called to do so by the police or fire service. It was explained to us that if the crane operator got even a mild illness or an minor injury like a sprained ankle or wrist, a rescue would be needed as you can't climb down a 300 foot ladder with an injury or illness.

Click any of the thumbnail pictures below for a larger picture.

CNV00001.JPG (802054 bytes) This is one of the two cranes we worked on. It is about 300 ft high, and is in Salford, Manchester, near the Lowry Centre.
CNV00002.JPG (817888 bytes) First experience of the exposure at the top, having climbed the ladder that runs up the centre of the crane.
CNV00003.JPG (913642 bytes) View from the top.
CNV00004.JPG (805828 bytes) Another view from the top.
CNV00005.JPG (957032 bytes) Views of Manchester were good.
CNV00006.JPG (999104 bytes) Looking down.
CNV00007.JPG (864170 bytes) Team members getting used to the exposure.
CNV00008.JPG (852814 bytes) The first part of the training involved doing abseils from 1/3 up, then 2/3 up, then from near the top.
CNV00009.JPG (984941 bytes) Team members
CNV00011.JPG (949893 bytes) Abseiling.
CNV00012.JPG (807070 bytes) Abseiling