A critical lift is a complex task that requires special precautions. These plans take a much more detailed look at rigging and environmental factors to ensure the project goes off without a hitch.
This includes things like equipment inspections, a rigging sketch, and identifying the crane rated capacity. A pre-lift meeting is also recommended to evaluate the entire plan and make sure all equipment is ready to begin work.
Safety First
The first thing to do when planning a lift is ensure that the crane and rigging are capable of safely handling the load. This includes ensuring the crane’s rated capacity, examining the load dimensions and center of gravity, identifying rigging solutions, and understanding the load movement paths. Also, it is important to assess potential hazards like trees, power lines, buildings, and other equipment in the lift path.
Once the safety factors have been assessed, it is time to create the plan. This can be done using a standard template that is provided by the crane manufacturer or a specific form designed for critical lifts. The plan should be completed by a qualified person who is usually an AP and reviewed and signed by the cranage superintendent before the work begins.
Depending on the difficulty of the lift, the lift plan can vary in length and complexity. However, all plans should include the rated capacities of cranes and loads, site conditions, barricade locations, crane & rigging inspection reports, and a complete list of equipment involved in the lift.
The AP should visit the site prior to the start of the lift to verify that the crane and rigging can handle the load, and determine if there are any conditions that would affect the operation, including ice, weather, and outrigger placement. If weather conditions change during the lift, the AP should stop the operation, evaluate conditions, and make a determination as to whether or not the lift can continue.
Critical lifts should be planned well in advance to avoid high profile incidents that can result in damage to property, injuries, and unfavorable publicity for the company. In addition, proper planning can help prevent delays in construction and minimize downtime.
Proper Rigging
All crane lifts involve some degree of risk, but certain situations can escalate that risk into something much more serious. These are referred to as critical lifts and require more planning and precautions than standard lifts. For example, any lift that involves a load that is over 75% of the crane’s rated capacity falls under this category, as does lifting from power lines or other hazardous zones.
Formal written lift plans are the best way to keep track of all the important details when a lift is deemed critical. These plans can vary in length, depending on the complexity of the lift. They should include the crane’s configuration, rigging, rated capacity and any other special considerations. They should also outline the plan’s responsibilities for all parties involved, including the crane operator, signal person and site supervisor. Having these details as required fields in the lift plan form is a good idea, both for record keeping purposes and to make sure all parties are aware of their roles.
The plan should also address communication methods during the lift, indicating whether it will be done using voice commands, hand signals or radio. It should also indicate if the crane will be traveling over any obstacles or people, and it should state what the minimum clearance requirements are for those areas. This information can help reduce or avoid potential collisions and ensure workers stay clear of the crane at all times.
The plan should also note any weather conditions that would cancel or postpone the lift (e.g. high winds or lightning). It should also identify any hazards that could cause the crane to become disconnected from the power line, as this continues to be a major source of death and injury for crane operators. Having a contingency plan in place for such circumstances can save lives, and also help mitigate the costs of a major accident or damaging public image.
Planning
Lift planning is a crucial part of the rigging process. This ensures that all parties involved in the lift know what is expected of them, which helps to prevent confusion and ensures safety. It also helps to avoid delays and downtime, which can cost a project time and money. A good lift plan will outline all aspects of the job, including how the load is going to be transported, where the spotters and tag-line personnel will be located, and any hazards that might affect the operation.
The person who creates the lift plan should visit the site before creating the lift to assess conditions and verify that a crane can make the lift safely. They will need to determine the crane’s rated capacity, and will also need to identify any potential hazards such as underground utilities, unstable ground, or nearby structures that could impact the lift. They will also need to determine whether a permit will be required, and what the rigging restrictions will be.
All lifts have a certain degree of risk – after all, they are moving large, heavy objects, often to heights that are many times their own size. However, certain circumstances can escalate that risk and require a higher level of safety measures. These are called critical lifts, and they can lead to devastating damage, injury, or even death on the jobsite.
Lift planning is an essential component of preventing critical lift incidents by following best practices, adhering to regulations, and minimizing the risk of failure. Anyone who works on a construction or industrial site should understand the importance of a thorough lift plan, and ITI offers rigging training programs that provide hands-on experience with planning and executing lifts.
Having the Right Crane
Cranes are incredibly versatile tools that can elevate loads of any size across a wide range of environments. However, determining the best crane for a job requires attention to detail and careful planning. An Expert Team carefully selects the right crane based on load weight, centre of gravity and lift radius to ensure the safety and efficiency of each lift. This allows us to minimize downtime and complete projects on time and budget.
The first step in the process is evaluating whether your project requires a critical lift plan. This designation refers to lifts that are beyond the crane’s regular operating capacity or involve a crane working in extremely close proximity to people and assets. While every lift requires a plan, the plans for a critical lift will be more extensive and detailed.
To create a lift plan, a qualified person visits the site to assess the job conditions. They will evaluate the crane’s rated capacity, determine if it can access the work area and check that the ground can support the crane and its load. They will also verify if there are any obstructions that can interfere with the operation and plan for how they will be avoided or lifted over during the process.
Once the lift plan is created, all lifting personnel involved must read it and sign to show they understand it. Any revisions or additions must be approved by a competent person as well. In addition, all equipment must be inspected and in good working condition before any lift takes place. This will prevent any potential hazards or accidents that could occur. In conclusion, lift planning is an essential component of any construction project and can significantly reduce risks and streamline operations. It is essential for a successful completion of complex crane jobs.
Having the Right Crew
There are many aspects to consider when it comes to critical crane operation. For one, you need to make sure that your crew is well trained and up for the task at hand. It’s also important that they understand the risks involved in this type of work and how to avoid them. It’s often helpful to have a designated Appointed Person (AP) who writes the lift plan for each project. This person can review and amend the plans as needed.
It’s also essential that you have the right equipment for the job. This means that you have the proper cranes and rigging in place, as well as any tools or accessories that might be required. This can help you avoid costly mistakes, like using the wrong type of crane for a particular load. Additionally, it can ensure that all operations comply with local laws, safety regulations, and best practices.
Having the right crew is also important for ensuring that your work meets all necessary standards and regulations. For example, it’s crucial that you have spotters and tag-line personnel working in the appropriate positions. It’s also a good idea to have experienced people in above-the-line crew positions, who can handle the responsibilities of this type of work more efficiently.
Ultimately, crane planning can help reduce the risk of high profile accidents that might cause significant damage, injuries, and even loss of life. It can also improve project timelines and increase productivity on the field. For these reasons, it’s increasingly being seen as an essential part of the construction process. In fact, more and more companies are requiring lift plans as part of their bidding processes. Doing so can help them gain a competitive advantage by improving the quality of their work while reducing risks and costs.
