ISAN

GUIDANCE
DOCUMENT
No.2

GUIDANCE ON THE
USE OF CRANES FOR
PERFORMANCES

ISAN: Who We Are

ISAN is the national membership and
strategic organisation that supports the
development of outdoor arts in the UK
and brings the sector together. We play
a key role in raising sector standards
and ensuring excellent art happens.
We develop the outdoor arts sector
through networking, lobbying,
information-sharing, training, research
and advocacy support and by providing
specialist advice for our members.
We are committed to supporting
outdoor arts in all its forms and
advocating its benefits and practice.
Weare the independent voice for
outdoor arts in the UK.
Our members are individuals and
organisations who actively support
andparticipate in the development of
outdoor arts in their professional work.
Since being established in the late
1990s, ISAN has developed a strong
track-record of delivering membership
services, effective development support
for the outdoor arts sector and strategic
projects with national and international
impacts.

Published in 2014 by ISAN

(Independent Street Arts
Network)
ISAN
54 Chalton Street
London NW1 1HS
+44 (0)20 7388 9767
info@isanuk.org
www.isanuk.org

ISAN Event Guidance

ISAN provides sector advice and
support that encompasses good
practice guidance in the crucial
elements of event production. Our
guidance covers all aspects of event
production including the basics of how
to produce a small scale to medium
sized event, health and safety, access,
environmental sustainability and our
own code of practice providing guidance
in the appointment of artists.
Our work in this area is informed by
the experience of our members, our
specialist consultant, David Bilton of
DGB Events, the expertise of specialist
organisations Julies Bicycle and
Attitude is Everything, and with close
reference to leading regulatory bodies.
ISAN regularly reviews and updates
existing event guidance resources and
commissions new guidance as needed.
We learn about what the issues we need
to address to support the sector from
our members.
ISAN event guidance includes:
Publications, Toolkits and Guidance
Documents. These resources are
available for a small cost or are available
for free to benefit the wider sector.

ISAN is a not-for-profit company

funded by Arts Council England, as
a National Portfolio Organisation.
Company No: 04316026
Copyright 2014 ISAN
(Independent Street Arts Network)
All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced,
stored ina retrieval system, or
transmitted, inanyform by any
means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording
orotherwise, without the prior
permission of the publisher.

CONTENTS
3
Overview
3 Purpose
4
1 The Legislation
4 2 O
 rganising An Event
WithACrane
5
3 Risk Assessment
5
4 Lifting Plan
5
5 Documentation
5
6 Conclusion
6 Glossary
6 Acknowledgements
6
About The Author
6
ISAN Publications & Resources

Distributed by ISAN
www.isanuk.org
Text: David Bilton
Editor: Helen Cadwallader,
Director, ISAN
Appendix 2 reproduced from Paying
the Bill 2: ACPO/APA Guidance on
charging for police services.
Design: Dean Pavitt @ Loup Design
Print: Ashley House

Disclaimer:
As guidance ISAN can accept
noresponsibility or liability for the
application of the information herein
contained to specific individual
circumstances. This responsibility
and liability must continue to lie with
the specific event organiser in their
local circumstance.

ISAN Guidance Documents

This is a new series launched
in 2014, designed to address
current issues as these arise
and meet broader sector
development needs. This is a
key means by which we fulfil

our mission to support our

members and the wider
sector. We deliver this area
ofour work through input
from a wide range of
specialist consultants and in
consultation with the relevant
regulatory bodies. This is an
ongoing area of our work.

GUIDANCE ON USE
OF CRANES FOR
PERFORMANCES
Mobile Homme, Transe Express, Mintfest.
Photo: Herve Petitbon

OVERVIEW

1 http://www.fem-eur.com/data/
File/N%200284%20FEM%20
Postionpaper%20Lifting%20
Person%20final%202011-05-04.pdf
2 http://www.fem-eur.com/data/
File/N_0442_FEM_Positionpaper_
Lifting_Person_-_Guideline_
2012-02-24_EN_fin.pdf

For many years cranes have been

usedas one of the tools to incorporate
aerialist performance based sequences
as part of large scale ambitious
spectaculars. European companies such
as Trans Express and La Fura dels Baus
and UK companies, such as Wired
AerialTheatre, are specialists in the use
of cranes to lift performers to create
memorable images.
However, on 16 May 2011, the use
ofcranes for performances was thrown
into confusion when the Fdration
Europenne de la Manutention (FEM:
the European manufacturers association
of materials handling, lifting and storage
equipment), issued a position paper1
stating:
Mobile cranes shall never be used
for entertainment purposes, e.g.
lifting of persons for shows, bungee
jumping, dinner-in-the-sky or lifting
of other structures with people on
the structure or underneath (e.g.
lifting of tents)!
Crane companies were concerned
that if they ignored this directive they
would invalidate their insurance and
somake performances of this nature
impossible.

Following representations from ISAN

and particularly the organisers of the
Dinner in the Sky, the FEM re-evaluated
this guidance and issued an updated
position paper on 24 February 2012,2
concluding:
FEM believes that a mobile crane
can be used to lift persons if the
additional requirements are fulfilled.
As an example of an application for
lifting of persons, Events in the Sky
(E.I.T.S.) / Fungroup (owners of
Dinner in the Sky platforms) has
used this guidance by engaging
withFEM and ESTA to analyse the
process of using mobile cranes for
Dinner in the Sky. It is believed that
itis possible that Dinner in the Sky
could achieve compliance with the
Machinery Directive and other
relevant regulations once further
assessed bya third party.

PURPOSE
This Guidance Document is intended
toadvise on and help event organisers
understand how these additional
requirements may be fulfilled.

THE LEGISLATION

ORGANISING AN EVENT WITH

A CRANE

There are four key aspects to the safe

use of cranes:
> Planning lifting operations
> Safe systems of work
> Supervision of lifting
> 
Thorough examination and
notification
TOP TIP: just because it is a
performance does not mean
theseregulations can be ignored.

If you are planning to create an event

orwork with an existing company which
uses cranes you should consider the
safety of this event carefully.
In planning the event you should
ensure that you know the answers
tothefollowing questions:
The Show
1] What will be lifted (the load)?
2] How high will it be lifted?
3] Where will it be lifted from?
4]  Where will it be lifted to during
theperformance?
5]  Where will it be returned to
theground?
6]  What will the performance
companysupply?
7] How will the load be attached
tothecrane?
All of this information will be required
bythe crane company to determine
themost appropriate machine.
The Site
1] What is the location of the crane
andstage area?
2]  Can the ground hold the weight
ofthe crane (including the load)?
3] Are there any cables/drains/
excavations/other underground
issues that need to be considered?
4]  Are there other factors around the
site which need to be considered
e.g. roads, water?
If you are planning an event of this
nature a site visit is essential. The
minimum attendees should be the
Production Manager, Crane Company,
performers and the land owner. You
maywish to invite other stakeholders

3 http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/
books/l113.htm
4 http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/
safetytopics/cranes.htm

Graeae And La Fura Des Baus, GDIF. Photo: Warren King

In the UK the legislation pertaining

tocranes is covered by the Lifting
Operations and Lifting Equipment
Regulations (LOLER) 1998.3
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) 4
give clear guidance on how cranes
should be used:
The law says that all lifting
operations involving lifting equipment
must be properly planned by a
competent person; appropriately
supervised; and carried out in a
safemanner.
Cranes and lifting accessories
such as slings must be of adequate
strength, tested and subject to the
required examinations and
inspections.
All crane operators, and people
involved in slinging loads and
directing lifting operations, must
betrained and competent.

such as the representatives from the

Local Authority e.g. Health & Safety
orBuilding Control. However, you will
need to evaluate whether it is better
tohave them involved at the beginning
of the process or whether it is better
toproduce a draft lifting plan (see
section 5.) to discuss at a later meeting.

Mobile Homme, Transe Express, Inside Out Dorset.

Photo: Roy Riley

Graeae And La Fura Des Baus, GDIF. Photo: Warren King

GUIDANCE ON USE OF CRANES FOR PERFORMANCES

RISK ASSESSMENT

LIFTING PLAN

The key to organising any event or

activity safely is undertaking a Risk
Assessment.5 Specific advice about
using cranes is available on the
HSEwebsite.6

A Lifting Plan is essentially a Method

Statement which should detail7:

In using cranes the main risks are:

> 
Movement of the crane to and
inthesite
> 
Collapse of the crane
> 
Falling load
> 
The movement of the load to
andfrom the performance area
In order to address these risks and other
risks associated with using canes, it
isimportant to appoint a competent
person/persons to create the lifting
planand manage the lifting operation.
This could be one person i.e. the crane
company appoints a person to
undertake all this work (a contract lift).
More usually it will be a Production
Manager or Safety Manager who will be
responsible for the details of the load i.e.
everything below the hook of the crane.
The crane company will appoint a lifting
supervisor. They will then work together
to create a jointly agreed Lifting Plan.

5 http://ww.hse.gov.uk/risk/fivesteps.htm
6 http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/
safetytopics/cranes.htm

1] P
 lanning, including site preparation,
crane erection and dismantling
2] S
 election, provision and use of a
suitable crane with the correct load
rating and work equipment including
safe slinging and signalling
arrangements
3] Maintenance and examination of
thecrane and equipment
4] P
 rovision of properly trained and
competent personnel
5] Supervision of operations by
personnel having the necessary
authority
6] Thorough examinations, reports
andother documents
7] P
 reventing unauthorised movement
oruse of the crane
8] M
 easures to secure safety of persons
not involved in the lifting

5
DOCUMENTATION
You will need to collate the following
documentation:
Performance Company
1] Performance Plan
2] Risk Assessment
3] Method Statement
4]  Confirmation that equipment
supplied by the company complies
with LOLER
5] Employers & Public Liability
Insurance
Crane Company
1]  Crane lifting plan including risk
assessment
2]  Employers & Public Liability Insurance
Event Production Manager or
EventSafety Manager
1] Load lifting plan
2] Detail how the lifting plan fits into the
overall event plan
It is likely that the local Safety Advisory
Group (SAG) will wish to consider the
plan. To do this you will need to give
them all of the above information well
before the event.

6
CONCLUSION

With regard to point two above it

isimportant that any attachment of
peopleor objects is undertaken by
aperson competent in rigging i.e.
onewhohas received Industrial Rope
Access Trade Association training
(IRATA, www.irata.org).

7 http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/
safetytopics/cranes.htm

Using cranes in performances can

provide spectacular images but there is
ahigh degree of preparation which needs
to be undertaken. You should allow
sufficient time to ensure that this event is
planned correctly remembering the 5Ps:
PROPER PLANNING PREVENTS
POOR PERFORMANCE

GLOSSARY

Crane
A machine used for moving heavy
objects, typically by suspending them
from a projecting arm or beam.
Fdration Europennede la
Manutention (FEM)
The European manufacturers
association of materials handling,
liftingand storage equipment.
Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
The HSE is the national independent
watchdog for work-related health, safety
and illness. They are an independent
regulator and act in the public interest
toreduce work-related death and
seriousinjury in workplaces across
theUK.
Lifting Operation & Lifting Equipment
Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
The regulations aim to reduce risks to
peoples health and safety from lifting
equipment provided for use at work.
A free copy is available at http://www.
hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l113.htm
A simple guide to the regulations is
available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/
pubns/indg290.pdf
Load
The total weight on the hook.
Load rating
The maximum load for which a crane
orhoist is designed. The load rating is
determined by the manufacturer and
displayed on the device.
Lifting Plan (Method Statement)
Management Plan for the lifting operation
as defined in the British Standard 7121
for the lifting and movement of goods
involving crane operation.
Risk Assessment
A Risk Assessment is simply a careful
examination of what, in your work, could
cause harm to people, so that you can
weigh up whether you have taken
enough precautions or should do more
to prevent harm. Workers and others
have a right to be protected from harm
caused by a failure to take reasonable
control measures.
For further information see
www.hse.gov.uk/risk/fivesteps.htm

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks for comments to:

Jon Linstrum, Combined Arts
Relationship Manager, Arts Council
England
Tim Garbutt, Director, TG Events
Eddy Grant, Senior Lecturer Events
Management, University of Derby
Richard Limb, Director of Leisure Safety,
Capita Symonds
Maggie Clarke, Director, X-Trax

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Bilton is the Managing Director
ofDGB Events. Founded in 2008, DGB
Events specialises almost exclusively
inlarge-scale outdoor events with a
primary focus on safety management.
He also provides services in creative
production and production
management. During 2012 and 2013,
hemanaged a whole range of events:
Torch Relay arrival in Newcastle, Festival
of Thrift in Darlington, Total Warrior in
Cumbria and a whole range of other
events. He is the lead author of Safety
Guidance for Street Arts, Carnival,
Processions and Large-Scale
Performances, published by ISAN
(Independent Street Arts Network) last
updated 2009. He is currently studying
for an MA in Event Management at
University of Derby. Heholds a General
Certificate from NEBOSH (National
Examination Board of Occupational
Safety and Health) and a Diploma in
Event Safety Management (University
ofDerby).
www.dgbevents.com

ABOUT THE EDITOR

Helen Cadwallader has been in post as
the first full-time Director of ISAN since
January 2012. From 2007 to 2011, Helen
was Executive Director of Brighton
Photo Biennial, leading on the vision,
strategic development, re-branding and
re-positioning of the organization. From
2000 to 2006 she was Arts Council
England national lead for the strategic
development of photography and media,
publishing and distribution, advising on
and developing its photography and
media strategy, conducting research
and managing a range of funds. Prior
tothis, she was the first to manage and
further develop the BAA Art Programme,
a strategy to commission contemporary
art in BAA airports including Heathrow,
which operated from 1994 to 1999.
Helen has a keen interest in stakeholder
working across a range of sectors from
the corporate to publicly funded, with
the aim to develop and enhance
opportunities for artists and non-art
audience engagement. She is a
published writer producing art reviews,
essays and news items for a range of
publications, journals and magazines.
www.isanuk.org

GUIDANCE ON USE OF CRANES FOR PERFORMANCES

ISAN PUBLICATIONS
& RESOURCES
ISAN provides sector advice and
support in a number of ways. The
following publications and resources
provide good practice guidance in the
crucial elements of event production
through to the history and development
of street arts and outdoor arts in the UK.
We also offer updated information on
training andprofessional development
within the outdoor arts sector through
our online Outdoor Arts Training Guide
part of the ISAN website. We offer
advocacy support through our specially
commissioned film as detailed below.

EVENT GUIDANCE
ISAN Environmental Sustainability
Toolkit
This toolkit is designed to help the
wideroutdoor arts sector to develop
sustainable practice. It is designed
tobeused by both small and large
organisations as a means to support
anddevelop greener and more efficient
working practices. It focuses on practical
achievable measures and highlights
examples of good practice from a range
of case studies. It contains good practice
guidelines, resource information, a
glossary of terms and useful contacts to
facilitate the creation of environmentally
sustainable outdoor art. This resource
was made possible through strategic
funding from Arts Council England.
ISAN commissioned Julies Bicycle
towrite the toolkit.
Published 2012. Free as PDF download
from the ISAN website.
ISAN Access Toolkit: making outdoor
arts accessible for all
This toolkit focuses on practical,
achievable measures and highlights
examples of good practice from case
studies of 4 existing festivals. It contains
guidelines on practice issues (signage,
viewing platforms etc), useful contacts,
and will help you to understand your
obligations under the Disability
Discrimination Act. It is packed with
examples of measures which events
organisers can take to meet the
requirements of Deaf and disabled
audience members at outdoor arts
festivals and events; including

marketing, transport, site layout, the

range of access services that can be
offered and ideas about programming.
This resource was made possible
through strategic funding from Arts
Council England the south-east legacy
programme Accentuate.
ISAN commissioned Attitude is
Everything to write the toolkit.
Main text: Suzanne Ball, edited and cowritten by Mark Waddell in consultation
with David Bilton. Editorial support from
Christine Hathway and Julian Rudd.
Published 2009 with second revision
planned during 2014. Free as PDF and
text only download from ISAN website.
Setting the Streets Alive: A Guide
toProducing Street Arts Events
This guide covers the basics of producing
successful street arts events, from the
early planning stages, considering
programming, artist liaison, promotion
and includes inspirational case studies
toshow what can be possible.
Text by Bill Gee, Edward Taylor and
AnneTucker
Published 2004. ISBN 0-9544892-2-5.
Price 10
Safety Guidance for Street Arts,
Carnival, Processions and LargeScale Performance
Compiled by experts in the field, and
fullyrevised in line with current licensing
legislation, this book provides specific
safety guidance for the street arts and
carnival sectors. Advice pertaining to
planning, risk assessment, assembling
anevents team, consultation and liaison
with the relevant authorities, stewarding,
special effects and much more. This
isanessential point of reference for
anyone involved in planning and
producing an outdoor arts event.
Text by David Bilton et al
First published 2004. Revised second
edition published 2009. ISBN 978-09544892-5-0. Price 12.50

STREET ARTS & OUTDOOR ARTS

PRACTICE IN THE UK
Street Arts: A Users Guide
An essential guide to the last three
decades of street arts in the UK. A
unique look at the changing nature
ofacultural practice mixing analysis,
critique, context and anecdote, including

contributions from Bim Mason, Baz

Kershaw, Lyn Gardner and many
leadingStreet Arts practitioners.
Anthony Dean (Series Editor) and
Dorothy Max Prior (Associate Editor)
Published in 2002 by King Alfreds
Winchester in collaboration with ISAN
and Total Theatre Network. ISBN
0953694359 / 0954489209. Price 12.50
The Next Steps Forward: A Snapshot
of Large Scale Street Arts in the UK
This publication looks at the development
of UK produced larger scale street arts.
Arange of contributors examine subjects
from the motivation for doing this work
and its impact, to practical areas, where
commissioning models and infrastructure
development are discussed in detail.
Athought-provoking read for anyone
interested inthe aspirations of the
sectorand the strategies needed to
realise these.
Published 2007. FREE as PDF download
from the ISAN website.

ADVOCACY
The Great Outdoors: making the case
for outdoor arts in the UK
This film presents the key benefits that
outdoor arts bring to public spaces,
especially town centres and high streets.
The film presents a broad range of
outdoor arts, from the large-scale to
theintimate and including work by Deaf
and disabled artists and companies and
work focused on climate change issues.
FREE as download from the
ISANwebsite.

TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMENT
Outdoor Arts Training Guide
The Outdoor Arts Training Guide is
aninteractive online resource that is
updated every year. Our guide covers
awide range of opportunities including
accredited courses in Higher and
Further Education, continuing
professional development opportunities,
including workshops, professional
networks and artist support, plus work
placements and apprenticeships.
Go to our website tofind out more,
www.isanuk.org

ISAN Cranes Guidance Document is FREE to ISAN members.

6 (+ VAT & postage) for non-ISAN members.
Or 10 (+VAT & postage) for two Guidance Documents.

Cover: Mobile Homme, Transe Express, Inside Out Dorset. Photos: Roy Riley

For details on how to order go to:

www.isanuk.org