The plan will need to address the risks identified by a risk assessment, the resources required, procedures and the responsibilities so that any lifting operation is carried out safely. The person appointed to plan the lifting operation should have adequate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the lifts being undertaken. Planning lifting operationsĪll lifting operations should be planned so they are carried out safely with foreseeable risks taken into account. People who hire cranes but do not have the necessary competencies for safe planning and use will need to opt for a 'Contract Lift' from the crane hire company.

When a crane is hired the responsibility for planning, supervising and carrying out lifting operations rests with the user unless these responsibilities are explicitly assumed by the crane hire company under a 'contract lift'. Important note for crane users: The legal responsibilities for safe lifting operations are usually shared between the crane hirer and crane user. Other incidents have involved people being struck by moving loads, cranes contacting overhead conductors and cranes colliding with each other. Falling of the load – these events also present a significant potential for death and major injury.Collapse of the crane – such incidents present significant potential for multiple fatal injuries, both on and off-site.Tower and mobile cranes are used extensively on construction projects and present two principal hazards: There are four key aspects to the safe use of cranes: 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 safe manner.Ĭranes and lifting accessories such as slings must be of adequate strength, tested and subject to the required examinations and inspections.Īll crane operators, and people involved in slinging loads and directing lifting operations, must be trained and competent. Controlling physical ill health risks - Key points.Controlling physical ill health risks overview.Controlling hazardous substances - Key points.Controlling hazardous substances overview.

Mobile crane lift plan