Is it permissible to lift personnel with a crane?

• A. It is always permissible to lift personnel with any crane if worker is strapped.
• B. Not with a standard crane; only if the crane and rigging are specifically designed for personnel hoisting and approved, with appropriate fall protection.
• C. Personnel hoisting should be performed without approvals.
• D. Only if the load is light.

Answer: (B)

Lifting personnel with a crane is only permissible when the equipment is specifically designed for that purpose and properly approved, with fall protection in place. Standard cranes and their usual rigging aren’t built to safely support a person in a suspended load; even with a harness, there are critical risks from movement, sway, sudden crane actions, or rigging failure that can lead to falls or crush injuries. When personnel hoisting is allowed, the setup must include equipment rated for lifting people, rigging and anchors that are certified for personhoisting, and a fall-protection system integrated into the operation. The operator and crew must be trained for this specific task, and there should be a formal plan and approvals in place. That’s why the correct approach is to only lift personnel with a crane and rigging that are designed and approved for it, with proper fall protection.