Decision 1.

Risk assessment

As with everything, the operation should be properly risk assessed. As an AP, only you are ultimately responsible for the lift.

Consideration required when undertaking a risk assessment for a lifting operation.

  • How often will the lift be undertaken and for what length of time.
    • Could a permanent solution be implemented for repetitive, routine operations.
    • Is it a one time lift, would a contract lift be more suitable.
  • Surrounding areas and location
    • Atmospheric conditions - Need to be intrinsically safe, confined space precautions.
    • Adjacent Structures and obstacles - Are there any obstacles within the vicinity of lifting, does the crane have sufficient lift height, are the obstacles visible to the operator and signaller.
    • Height or width restriction - Identify specifications for the lifting equipment (slew restrictions, boom restrictions, zero tail swing, proximity sensors).
    • Adjacent excavations/underground voids - Temporary works designs for additional surcharge, built up crane mat to spread the bearing load, excavation propping.
    • Site Boundaries - Is it acceptable to allow boundary over-sailing. Slew restrictions to prevent it, debris netting around loose loads, additional de-rating, temporary exclusion zones whilst over-sailing.
  • Underground services
    • Reviewing the drawings - obtain the STATS drawings from all utility providers, UK Power Networks, Regional Water Providers, Gas Providers, Telecommunications and any private operators.
      • There are several companies set up who can put together a STATS pack
    • CAT and GENNY scan - Get a competent service coordinator to scan the area to determine the location and depth of any services under the crane position.
    • Contact the service provider to determine the impact on the service with the intended loading.
  • Wind conditions - identify the wind limits and required actions from the manufacturer. Ensure an anemometer (wind speed meter) is installed on the top of the crane, or at that level near the crane position.

  • 3rd parties and access to the site - Is the site securely excluded from members of the public, is the area of lifting excluded from other personnel on site or do control measures need to be implements such as audible alarms, debris netting, shelters for persons or temporary exclusion from the line of lift need to be established.

  • Ground conditions - Is the ground bearing pressure of the location of the lifting equipment sufficient. Undertake ground bearing pressure tests. Determine the maximum ground bearing pressure for the lift. Borehole logs show excessive ground water, risk of the ground subsiding, pressure on the ground creating quick conditions or weather conditions changing the ground conditions. 

  • Other lifting operations
    • Are there additional lifting operations, or plant movements taking place simultaneously? Implement a crane coordination plan detailing the spacial, time or operating conditions to allow the operation to go ahead.

CONTROL MEASURES

Some techniques and procedures to be used to mitigate and control risks within lifting operations:
  • Track, slew and boom restrictions,
  • Exclusion Zones,
  • Safety nets,
  • Operator competence checks,
  • Additional supervision,
  • Tool box talks and briefings,
  • Restricted areas (especially public),
  • Load size and weight restrictions,
  • Constructed Crane mats,
  • Load bearing tests,
  • De-rating of the crane and accessories.



Decision 2.

Lifting Accessories

In many ways, there is very little difference between using wire ropes and chain slings. Below I will go through some of the advice that apply to each to aid your decision in choosing which lifting accessories to use.

  • The eye of wire ropes is always to be considered, if the ropes are required to be threaded through an orifice in order to sling the load, the size of the eye must be considered.
  • The angle of any bends which may be require to sling. 


Decision 3

Lifting points/slinging method



Additional Requirements - lifting frames, tag lines,