It is the third time within a month that unauthorized persons have climbed onto a crane in the Zurich region. In one case, the illegal action even ended fatally. Closing off construction sites is an important issue in the industry, including for the Zurich/Schaffhausen builders’ association. Its managing director Gerhard Meyer explains to SRF what is already being done and whether further measures are necessary.
SRF News: What is being done in Zurich to secure construction sites?
Gerhard Meyer: The regulations are the same everywhere in Switzerland. In principle, all construction sites are secured by being cordoned off with bars and locked with locks. Sometimes there are plank walls around construction sites. And often you can’t even get in without ID.
And cranes, how are they secured?
In the case of particularly high buildings and in areas where it can be more dangerous, the cranes are additionally secured with an enclosure. You build around it at ground floor or first floor level like a house so that no unauthorized person can climb up. If necessary, it has barbed wire all around.
If you really want to go to the construction site, you can overcome these obstacles.
You try to reduce the dangers where there might be people who might harm themselves – for example in the vicinity of psychiatric clinics.
In view of the cases, shouldn’t the cranes be secured even better?
If you really want to go to the construction site, you can overcome these obstacles.
What does the Zurich-Schaffhausen Master Builders’ Association intend to do?
From zero to three cases in a very short time, that is indeed a rapid increase. We will certainly continue to monitor this in our regional sections and discuss it at the upcoming meetings. But I don’t see any major need for action on the part of the master builders.
In such campaigns there are always people who want to attract attention in the same way. So further cases cannot be ruled out.
So you are already doing enough?
As of today, I clearly say yes. We comply with the applicable regulations and implement them. And that is also checked.
Are you afraid that there could now be imitators?
In such campaigns there are always people who want to attract attention in the same way. So further cases cannot be ruled out.
The interview was conducted by Manuel Ramirez.