Lifts requiring extra care because of the small margin of error or serious consequences of any mistake are commonly referred to as â€œcritical lifts.â€ Such lifts might include loads that are expensive or difficult to replace, loads that exceed a predetermined percentage of the rated capacity chart or lifts for which multiple cranes are attached to a single load.

While verbal plans might be sufficient for some lifts, more complex lifts should have written plans. At a minimum, the plan should consider the weight of the load, the craneâ€™s boom length and the radius where the load will be placed. Â€œWhether the load is only a few hundred pounds or many thousands of pounds, proper planning is essential to help ensure that the work gets completed safely, without incident,â€ says Hank Dutton, a Travelers Risk Control professional who is a Certified Lift Director and regularly conducts crane safety courses.īecause every situation can be unique, a lift plan should be created anytime a crane lifts or moves a load.

What controls can be implemented to mitigate the risks involved?.

What are the possible consequences if something goes wrong?.

What is the likelihood that something might go wrong?.

What might go wrong or interfere with this outcome?.

Crane safety includes both basic and advanced planning as well as continuous monitoring of changing site conditions.įollowing are five key questions to consider as you develop a lift plan.

Typically the most expensive and productive pieces of equipment at a construction site, cranes also can be the most dangerous without proper training, preparation and management. Lifting operations depend on a team approach, careful lift planning and continued training to stay current with industry rules and regulations. Experience alone may not be enough to operate cranes safely and in compliance with the applicable regulations and standards.

As some construction projects become more complex, the demand for lifting larger loads grows, which is impacting the size of cranes and the complexity of lifts.

Basic crane lift plan