Lifting operations

Lifting equipment and accessories must be carefully selected to ensure they are best suited for the tasks, providing full visibility and protecting operators from overturning, electrical hazards, noise, and vibration. They should also minimise environmental impacts to avoid disturbing neighbours.

All equipment must be visually inspected by the user before each use, with defects reported to supervisors.

Repairs must only be undertaken by competent persons - makeshift repairs are not permitted.

Regular inspections and servicing must follow the manufacturer’s instructions and specific task or equipment risks, conducted by a competent person.

Plant hire companies must supply safety information with all equipment.

Spill kits must be available and used where appropriate to prevent environmental contamination.

Lifting operations must be planned, supervised, and executed safely by competent personnel.

All relevant duty holders, as required by LOLER regulations, must be appointed.

Where appropriate, a suitable, and proportionate lifting plan is to be produced by an Appointed Person.

Lifting accessories and lifting equipment used for lifting persons must be thoroughly examined at least every 6 months.

All other lifting equipment must be examined at least annually (or at intervals laid down in an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person). Declarations of conformity should accompany new equipment.

The safe working load (SWL) of any lifting equipment and accessories must never be exceeded.

Operators must hold a recognised certificate of training such as CPCS or IPAF, including any necessary endorsements for lifting attachments or accessories.

Operators must also be authorised and familiar with the specific machine to be used.

All project features such as overhead power lines, unstable ground conditions and neighbouring properties, must be identified and adequately controlled.

Lifting operations must not commence/cease during adverse weather in accordance with equipment design capabilities and lift plan controls.

Effective communication must be in place during lifting operations.

When hoists, mast climbers (MCWP), or mobile or tower cranes are employed, suitable designs, including foundations that reflect ground conditions, mast fixings, and load capacities, are required from the supplier. These designs must be checked and verified in compliance with our Temporary Works policy.

MCWP must be fitted with a mechanical device (centrifugal brake) to automatically prevent an excessively fast descent.

Robust exclusion zones must be established around the lift and drop zone before and during all lifting operations, with access restricted to those involved in the work.

Excavators used for lifting must be properly planned and risk assessed.

Hooking devices must be attached to the designated lifting point on the machine ensuring lifting slings are able to hang freely at all times.

Suspension from bucket teeth is strictly prohibited. Lifting of persons is never permitted.

Operators must physically ensure all quick hitches are securely locked before starting work with a new attachment.

Loads should not be suspended over occupied areas or outside the project boundary whenever possible. If unavoidable, risks to people must be minimised by implementing safe systems of work and appropriate precautions, such as erecting barriered exclusion zones.

Lifting hooks for chains or slings must have safety catches (as image).

Where lifting equipment or its load may be affected by high winds, appropriate devices must be available and used to detect dangerous situations, allowing measures to be taken to cease equipment use.

Mobile crane operations must be hired under a Contract Lift crane hire agreement, noting that tower cranes cannot be hired under such agreements.

Rescue procedures for tower crane operators must be established and practiced regularly by competent personnel.

Lovell management must complete and issue a Permit to Lift before lifting operations can begin. This permit must be accepted by the competent person in charge. Each individual lift plan requires its own separate Permit to Lift.