12. Conclusion

A great leap forward has been made from inclined planes, man-wheels and then horse-wheels to pull the load over the inclined plane, then undercarriages, then hoists, to GME and GMA carrier-mounted tower cranes.

This powerful but fragile equipment entails many risks, requiring the crane operator to be increasingly trained and aware. It is the crane operator who holds the "keys" to the worksite; he can see everything from his cab and must work for everyone, with increasingly sophisticated and therefore fragile equipment.