Lift Planning
Lift Planning is an important part of any rigging activity and must be taken seriously before a load is lifted as it will assist in a safe movement of the load and ensure that correct practices and procedures are adhered to.
The main advantages to pre-planning a lift include:
- (1) minimize or prevent an injury, incident or damage
- (2) ensure operators and their employer are informed of the particular hazards involved and appropriate controls to utilize during the lift
- (3) ensures the approprate legislated and industry standards are adhered to
The following information is compliant with ASME P30.1 Planning for Load Handling Activities.
For more detailed information, please refer to the full ASME standard.
Definitions
Some important definitions the standard uses are as follows;
- Dynamic Load: forces introduced into the LHE as a result of change in motion.
- Lift: to move a load vertically or horizontally with the LHE.
- Lift Plan: information and/or instruction, written or verbal, used in support of a load handling activity.
- Load Handling Equipment (LHE): equipment used to move a load vertically or horizontally.
- Qualified Person: a person who, by possession of a recognized degree or certificate of professional standing in an applicable field, or by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter and work.
- Shall: term used to indicate that a rule is mandatory and must be followed.
- Should: term used to indicate that a rule is a recommendation, the advisability of which depends on the facts in each situation.
Load Handling Activity Considerations
An evaluation of a proposed load handling activity shall be performed. Documentation of the evaluation is not required. It is recommended that the evaluation includes a risk analysis. Useful resources include ISO 31000:2009 and ISO 31010:2009. At a minimum, the load handling category should be determined based on review of the following considerations:
Potential Hazards to Persons
(1) if the load handling activity will involve personnel lifting.
(2) if the load will be moved or suspended over areas accessible to the general public.
(3) if the load contains materials immediately dangerous to life and health.
(4) if load handling personnel will be in locations that may be hazardous during the load handling activity (e.g., pinch points, crush points).
(5) if site personnel other than load handling personnel will be in locations that are hazardous due to the load handling activity. This should include consideration of protection provided by existing structures.
Hazards in Proximity to the Work Area
(1) if the load and/or the load handling equipment (LHE) can encroach the prohibited zone of power lines
(2) if there is potential for electromagnetic radiation/radio frequency hazard (e.g., loss of communication, electrical discharge, and shock)
(3) if the load handling activity can cause damage to pipes, lines, tanks, equipment, or products that could create an adverse environmental impact
Complexity of Load Handling Activity
(1) if the load has potential for instability during the load handling activity due to the
- (a) design or configuration of the load (e.g., shape, load integrity, and sail area)
- (b) centre-of-gravity of the load relative to the established connection points
- (c) load weight shift (e.g., liquid filled, swing arms, and moveable parts)
(2) if the load handling activity uses complex load handling methods
(3) if the load handling activity will be performed in proximity to obstructions or in limited clearance areas, including consideration of clearance between the LHE and the load
(4) if the load is to be manipulated (e.g., turned, rotated, and tilted)
(5) if the LHE travels during the lift
(6) if the load handling activity uses multiple LHE
(7) if the load handling activity is unique to or infrequently performed by the personnel involved
(8) if special means or access for attaching and removing rigging is required
Adverse Impact From Environmental Conditions
If the load handling activity could be adversely impacted by conditions such as
(1) effects of wind on the load and/or LHE (e.g., speed, direction, sustained, and/or gusts)
(2) support for the load, the LHE, or both (e.g., ground, rail, girder, structure, foundation, vessel list, and trim)
(3) ambient temperature (e.g., high, low, and range)
(4) surfaces moving relative to one another (e.g., from land to water, or water to land, or water to water)
(5) visibility (e.g., fog, sun glare, lighting, and obstructions)
(6) precipitation
(7) lightning
LHE Capacity and/or Performance
(1) if the load weight is significant compared to the LHE capacity as configured
(2) if factors, such as the following, have the potential to encroach upon maximum capacity of the LHE, as configured, and/or diminish its performance:
- (a) increased loading due to extraction or removal of a load (e.g., demolition, suction, and friction)
- (b) dynamic loading (e.g., abrupt starting, stopping, acceleration, deceleration, and abrupt load transfer)
- (c) line pull
- (d) brake/clutch/pump settings and/or conditions
- (e) accuracy of load weight information/determination
- (f) site conditions
- (g) potential load shift during load handling activity
- (h) weight distribution or transfer between multiple LHEs
- (i) effects of moving to/from liquids (current, buoyancy)
- (j) out-of-plane loading
- (k) equipment history or condition
Rigging Capacity and/or Performance
If factors, such as those listed in LHE Capacity and/or Performance, and/or the following, have the potential to encroach upon maximum capacity of the rigging, as configured, and/or affect its performance:
(1) rigging attachment points of the load (e.g., lifting lugs, precast inserts)
(2) side loading of the rigging hardware and attachments
(3) complexity of rigging
(4) weight distribution or transfer of load within the rigging arrangement
(5) environmental conditions (e.g., temperature or chemically active environment)
Adverse Commercial Impact
(1) if the load has a significant replacement time
(2) if the cost of replacing the load is considered significant or the load is irreplaceable
(3) if failure to complete the load handling activity could create a project delay, work shutdown, or disruption to the general public
(4) if the load handling activity can cause damage to pipes, lines, tanks, equipment, or products that could create an adverse commercial impact
Site Requirements Unique to the load handling Activity
(1) corporate considerations/policies
(2) regulatory considerations [e.g., local, state, federal, DOT, railroad (FRA), FAA, and military]
(3) potential impact to vital infrastructure (e.g., public utilities, roadways, seaports, pipelines, and railroads)
Repetitive Lifts
(1) distractions, fatigue, inattention, or lack of concentration of the load handling personnel
(2) the LHE and rigging equipment manufacturer’s recommendations for duty cycle or repetitive operations
Plan Categories
The decision to use a standard lift plan should be based on the considerations outlined in “Load Handling Activity Considerations”, The lift director should determine that none of these considerations would cause the load handling activity to be recategorized.
Prior to the load handling activity, the lift director should verify that the standard lift plan has been developed. The standard lift plan can be written or verbal. See “Forms” for an example of a lift plan template, a rigging data sheet, and for guidance on establishing a limiting wind speed.
Standard Lift Plan
A standard lift plan is a proposed load handling activity plan in which considerations in “Load Handling Activity Consideration”, have been evaluated and it has been determined that the load handling activity can be accomplished through standard procedures, and that the load handling activity personnel can execute using common methods, materials, and equipment.
Critical Lift Plan
A critical lift plan is a proposed load handling activity plan in which considerations in “Load Handling Activity Considerations”, have been evaluated and it has been determined that the load handling activity exceeds standard lift plan criteria and requires additional planning, procedures, or methods to mitigate the greater risk.
Roles & Responsibilities
It is essential that roles and responsibilities identified in the lift plan are defined and understood by all personnel involved. The roles and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, those outlined below. Not all of the roles below may be identified in or required by the lift plan. In some cases an individual or entity may perform multiple, nonconflicting roles.
Assembly/disassembly director – Responsible for directing the assembly/disassembly (erect/dismantle) of the LHE
Engineer – Responsible for providing any required engineering support and documentation for the load handling activity
General contractor/construction manager – Responsible for contractual requirements including deliverables, and ensuring performance and safety requirements are established and implemented
Lift director – Responsible for verifying the category of the load handling activity and reviewing and implementing the lift plan
LHE operator – Responsible for directly controlling the LHE’s functions
LHE owner – Responsible for custodial control of the LHE by virtue of a lease or ownership
LHE user – Responsible for arranging the LHE’s presence on a work site and controlling its use
Lift planner – Responsible for developing the lift plan
Rigger – Responsible for performing rigging tasks associated with the load handling activity
Signalperson – Responsible for directing the movements of the LHE by providing signal commands to the LHE operator
Site safety officer – Responsible for enforcing work site safety policies
Site supervisor – Responsible for overseeing the work site on which the LHE is used and the work that is performed on the site
Spotter – Responsible for observing and reporting as directed on the movement of the LHE and load
Transport operator – Responsible for operation of transport equipment used in support of the load handling activity
Lift Evaluation Form
The crane operator or lift director can use this sample form to assess and plan a lift prior to moving a load. Click the icon below to download the form.
