Lift Safety, Critical Lifts & Job Planning
Critical lift planning, personnel platforms, electrical hazards, line of fire awareness, shock loads, and rigging plan documentation.
- Define critical lift criteria and describe rigging plan documentation
- List personnel platform lift requirements and restrictions
- Identify electrical hazards and required power line clearance distances
- Explain line of fire awareness, pinch points, and personnel safety zones
- Describe load path planning, gear verification, and shock load prevention
Lección 1
Critical Lifts & Rigging Plan Documentation
What Makes a Lift Critical?
A critical lift is any lift that involves special hazards or exceeds a specified percentage of the crane's rated capacity and requires a written lift plan. Criteria that make a lift critical include:
- Lifting over a specified percentage of rated capacity (typically 75-80%)
- Lifting personnel on a work platform
- Lifting near power lines or energized conductors
- Lifting over occupied buildings or active work areas
- Using multiple cranes (tandem lifts)
- Lifting irreplaceable or hazardous items
Rigging Plan Contents
A critical lift rigging plan must include:
- Load weight and dimensions
- Crane configuration - boom length, radius, capacity at that radius
- Rigging plan - sling types, sizes, hitch configurations, hardware
- Lift path - from pick point to landing zone
- Hazard assessment - power lines, structures, personnel
- Personnel assignments - operator, rigger, signalperson
- Communication plan - methods and backup
- Emergency procedures
Exam Definition
A critical lift = a lift with special hazards or exceeding a specified percentage of rated capacity that requires a written plan. Not just "any heavy lift" or "lifts over 10 tons."
A critical lift involves special hazards or exceeds a specified capacity percentage and requires a written rigging plan. The plan must cover load weight, crane configuration, rigging details, hazards, personnel, and communication.