A worksheet for thinking through a lift before it happens — load data, rigging, exclusion zones, who signals, and what happens if the load swings. Most crush injuries under suspended loads come down to somebody standing where nobody planned for them to be.
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Description:
| Requirement | What good looks like | Y / N / N-A | Evidence or gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity plate legible and current | Rating posted on the machine and matched to the configuration in use. | ||
| Annual and periodic inspection current | Documented and available on site. | ||
| Pre-use inspection completed | This shift, by the operator, recorded. | ||
| Operator competent for this machine | Trained and, where required, certified for this equipment and configuration. | ||
| Load-limiting devices functional | Anti-two-block, load moment indicator or equivalent, tested. |
| Item | Size / type | WLL | Sling angle | Inspected by | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Requirement | What good looks like | Y / N / N-A | Evidence or gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rigging rated for the gross load | Including the effect of sling angle on tension. | ||
| Sling angle accounted for | Tension rises sharply as the angle from horizontal decreases. | ||
| Inspected before this lift | Slings, shackles, hooks and hardware inspected and removed from service if damaged. | ||
| Edge protection fitted | Softeners where slings pass over corners. | ||
| Hooks have functioning latches | And the load is seated in the bowl, not the tip. | ||
| Tag lines fitted | Long enough to control the load without the handler entering the swing zone. |
| Requirement | What good looks like | Y / N / N-A | Evidence or gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exclusion zone defined | A marked area covering the full swing radius, not just directly under the load. | ||
| Exclusion zone physically marked | Cones, tape or barriers on the ground, briefed to everyone on site. | ||
| Nobody under the load, ever | No task requires a person beneath a suspended load. If one seems to, redesign the lift. | ||
| Load control method | Tag lines handled from outside the swing zone. | ||
| Pinch points identified | Where the load could trap someone against a structure, vehicle or stack. | ||
| Landing area prepared | Cribbing, dunnage and a stable surface ready before the load leaves the ground. | ||
| Other trades cleared or protected | Adjacent work stopped, diverted or barriered. |
Exclusion zone dimensions and how it is marked:
| Requirement | What good looks like | Y / N / N-A | Evidence or gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground bearing adequate | Assessed for the machine and outrigger loads; mats or pads as required. | ||
| Outriggers fully deployed | On firm level ground with pads correctly sized. | ||
| Underground services checked | Utility locate completed where outriggers or tracks bear. | ||
| Overhead powerlines identified | Minimum approach distance established and physically respected. | ||
| Wind within limits | Manufacturer wind limit known, current wind measured, and a stop threshold agreed. | ||
| Weather and light adequate | Visibility, precipitation and temperature considered. |
Everyone involved attends the briefing and signs. Anyone who arrives late is briefed before entering the area.
| Name (print) | Role | Signature | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Stop-work triggers agreed:
This is a planning aid, not a certified lift plan and not an engineered design. Critical, complex and multi-crane lifts require a plan prepared by a competent person, and in many cases a professional engineer. Confirm the requirements that apply to your jurisdiction, your equipment and your load before lifting.