Planning and Performing a Critical Lift

A critical lift is any of the following:

• A lift by a mobile crane or boom truck that exceeds 90% of its rated capacity and/or more than 50% of its maximum load radius.
• A tandem lift if the load on any one crane, hoist, or other piece of powered lifting equipment exceeds 75% of the rated capacity.
• A tandem lift involving the use of more than two cranes, hoists, or other pieces of powered lifting equipment at the same time.
• A lift of a person in a work platform suspended from, or attached to, a crane or hoist.
• A lift in which the centre of gravity of the load changes.
• A lift in which the length of one or more sling legs changes during a lift.
• A lift by a crane, boom truck or hoist supported on a floating base that exceeds 90% of the rated capacity of the lifting system.
• A lift of a load over or near energized power lines.
• A lift of a submerged load.

Planning a Critical Lift

Under B.C. Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) Section 14.42.1, a written lift plan must be prepared for every critical lift. The plan must be available at the worksite during the lift.

Proper planning for a critical lift includes:

• Safely placing equipment and materials.
• Ensuring effective communication between everyone involved in the lift.
• Ensuring site safety and security.
• Implementing procedures to cover site-specific risks.

Other planning steps include:

• Checking for overhead obstructions such as power lines,
• trees, structures, etc.
• Being aware of the swing radius of the crane.
• Keeping clear of the zone set out by barricades and signs.
• Knowing exactly where the load is to be set down and clearly defining the travel path.
• Ensuring everyone knows the sequence of lifting events.

Safe Work Practices

Employers must ensure workers who perform critical lifts are properly trained on the work scope, hazards, and safety procedures involved in the task.

Workers involved in a critical lift should:

• Validate the desired rigging, angles of equipment and lifting capacities.
• Inspect all rigging equipment before using it.
• Not distract the crane operator during the lift.
• Stay out of the area within the swing radius of the crane.
• Use taglines or push sticks to ensure sufficient space between the load and any obstacles.
• Lift and lower the load slowly to avoid jerking it.
• Never leave a load suspended in the air unattended.
• Properly store all rigging after lifting operations to prevent damage.

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