1. Lifting Operations on Construction Sites
A presentation to Merseyside & Cheshire Construction Safety Group on 12th March 2018 by: John Ellis BSc(Eng),CMIOSH,CMaPS

2. Most common ways of lifting:
Mobile Cranes
Telehandler
Excavator
Hiab

3. Types of Mobile Crane Truck-mounted crane All-terrain crane
“City” crane
Self-erecting tower crane

4. Truck-mounted crane

5. All terrain crane

6. “City” Crane

7. Self-erecting tower crane

8. Summary of suitability
Truck mounted-long wheelbase, large turning circle
All terrain-more compact, all wheel steer, highly manoeuvrable
City crane-compact, able to operate in limited headroom areas
Tower crane-large working radius directly adjacent to structures

9. Use crane spec book to decide what size of crane required

11. What factors determine the size of crane needed ?
Maximum weight of load to be lifted (e.g m radius)
Maximum working radius (e.g.37m lifting 1.2 tonnes)
Angle of jib in restricted headroom locations

12. Find out and what room it will take up

13. Imposed Loadings
Must be clearly shown on lifting plan as both point load and pressure(e.g. point load=25KN,pressure of 25KN/m2)
Should indicate size of pads being used(typically 1m diameter pads have an area of 0.7m2)
Tables can be used to get approx. loads, or crane hire company will be able to provide more precise detail

14. Ensure ground bearing pressures acceptable
Provided details of imposed loadings to the site (in writing)
Obtain written confirmation from the site that the ground is capable of withstanding the loads
May need CBR tests to be undertaken
May need additional measures to reduce pressures to an acceptable level e.g. steel plates,sleepers,mats

15. Produce a detailed lifting plan

16. Lift plan should indicate:
Crane access and locations
Crane size and lifting equipment
Berthing study (rigger spread)
Imposed loadings
Position of delivery wagons
Directions of slew
Positions of new/existing buildings
Location of any specific hazards

17. Set the crane up in accordance with the plan

18. Planning must be done by a competent person (appointed person)

19. Supervision Supervision done by the appointed person
Or, if not, then by a qualified crane supervisor
Directing the crane is done by a qualified banksman who agrees a means of communication with the crane driver
Slinging is undertaken by trained slingers
Crane driven by suitably competent operator

20. Summary Select suitable type of crane
Select right size of crane for the job
Understand how a crane works
Ensure all involved in the planning and operation are competent

21. Don’t have the required Skills,Knowledge,Experience ?
You must arrange for a “Contract Lift”
A reputable crane hire company will visit the site and do all the necessary planning
They will provide relevant documentation for the lift including a lift plan
On the day they will provide crane driver and crane supervisor/banksman
They will also provide appropriate lifting tackle(chains,slings,etc.)

22. What can go wrong? Crane exceeds safe working capacity
SWL of lifting accessories exceeded
Imposed rigger loadings exceed ground bearing capacity
Structural failure of crane and/or lifting accessories (due to lack of maintenance)
Operation in adverse weather conditions
Communication failures

26. Waikato Crane Incident

27. Telehandlers

28. Requirements
Driver must have appropriate skills, knowledge & experience(e.g. CPCS for type & size of telehandler)
Operate on firm & level ground when placing/removing loads (e.g. designated stoned up area)
Suitable reversing mirrors & cameras
Use of stabilizers when required

29. Excavators

30. Types of excavator
Back-hoe excavator
Mini excavator
Tracked excavator

31. Requirements
Driver to have necessary skills, knowledge & experience for type & size of excavator
Driver to have suitable knowledge & training in attachments (e.g. manual quick hitch, semi-automatic quick hitch, automatic quick hitch
Suitable reversing mirrors and cameras to enable driver to see persons at rear

32. Hiabs

33. Requirements Driver with suitable skills, knowledge & experience
Set up on firm & level ground capable of withstanding rigger loadings
All riggers to be fully extended

34. Statutory Requirements for Lifting Plant
LOLER Regulations require that all plant used for lifting has undergone thorough examination & inspection by a competent person within previous 12 months …..but if being used for lifting persons (e.g. man-rider cage attached to forklift) then must be within previous 6 months

35. Lifting tackle Chains (e.g. 2 legged 10mm chains,SWL 4.25 tonnes)
Web slings or wire slings
Grabs of lifting booms
Lifting clutches (e.g. modform lifters)
All must be maintained in good condition and should be visually inspected each day before lifting operations commence

36. Using chains or slings in choked position

37. Requirements Capacity of the choked chains must be downrated by 20%
i.e. 2 legged Chains with SWL of 4.25 tonnes can only be used to lift a maximum load of 3.4 tonnes

38. Angle between chains/straps should not exceed 90 degrees

39. Statutory Requirements
All lifting accessories to have undergone thorough examination and inspection by competent person within the previous 6 months (as per LOLER Regulations)

40. Guidance
BS7121 Part 3:Code of Practice for Safe use of Cranes

41. BS7121 Overview

42. Guidance on best practice for:

43. Lift Categories

44. Lift Categorisation

45. Contract Options

46. Construction Plant-hire Association www.cpa.uk.net

47. .

48. HSE Guidance L113 :Safe Use of Lifting Equipment ACOP
L22:Safe Use of Work Equipment
INDG290:Lifting Equipment at Work-a Brief Guide
INDG422:Thorough Examination of Lifting Equipment
HSG144:Safe Use of Vehicles on Construction Sites
HSG150:Health & Safety in Construction

49. Any questions ?