Lifting Operation
Lifting Operation
Lifting Operation
Lifting Operations
Typical problems
Lifting operations are high risk if they are not planned and executed properly. Typical causes of lifting failures include:
■ persons involved are not competent
■ equipment is in a poor state of repair
■ incorrect equipment being used
■ general misuse of equipment
■ lack of accurate information about the load characteristics
■ unstable ground where mobile cranes are used
■ poor weather conditions
■ poor slinging of the load
■ production pressure to get the job done on time.
Planning the lift
■ Confirm the size of the load to be lifted and identify its centre of gravity.
■ Ensure that the appropriate size of crane is obtained with a sufficient safety margin.
■ Check on competence of crane supplier and the operator, slinger and signaller to be provided.
■ Ensure that a lifting risk assessment has been carried out and has taken into account the load, ground conditions and any adjacent
structures.
■ Check on ground conditions.
■ If not suitable for the load a special base may need to be provided to position the crane and its out riggers.
Loading in
Chain Leg
10 tonnes
600 mm min
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Hazard Sheet 12 Lifting Operations
Signalling
Fig 2 – Signalling
■ Ensure that the crane is located on solid ground and that the outriggers and spreader plates are fully deployed.
■ The crane must be level and tyres correctly pressurised.
■ Crane shall be positioned so that there is a min of 600mm distance between it and any fixed structure to prevent any person
becoming trapped.
■ Check also for any overhead power lines or other structures.
■ The crane shall have a fully operational automatic safe working load indicator, and overwind protection.
■ Ensure that all unauthorised persons are kept out of the area in which the lift is being conducted.
■ Ensure that the crane hook is positioned over the centre of gravity of the load.
Centre of gravity is Hook is not over Load will shift until centre Hook is over centre of gravity
higher than lift points centre of gravity of gravity is below hook
Slinging
Typical problems
Whilst lifting failures can occur with the use of cranes and similar lifting machines many failures arise as a result of incorrect methods or use of
slinging equipment which include:
■ Slinging operatives not trained or competent;
■ Slings and other lifting tackle not maintained and therefore not fit for purpose;
■ Lifting equipment misused or incorrectly used;
■ Poor knowledge of the load characteristics;
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Hazard Sheet 12 Lifting Operations
10 tonnes
Windforce Speed
Description Visible effect Speed mph
No m/sec
1 Light air Direction of wind shown by smoke drift, but not by weather vanes 1-8 1-2
2 Light breeze Wind felt on face. leaves rustle and wind vanes move 6.5 -11.0 2-3
4 Moderate breeze Wind raises dust and loose paper. Small branches move. 21 - 29 5 -8
Small trees in leaf begin to sway. Little crested wavelets form on
5 Fresh breeze 30 - 38 8 - 11
inland waters.
6 Strong breeze Large branches in motion. Umbrellas used with difficulty. 40 - 50 11 - 14
Whole trees in motion. Becoming difficult to walk against the
7 Near gale 51 - 61 14 - 17
wind.
8 Gale Twigs break off trees. Progress is generally impeded 62 - 74 17 - 21
Chimney pots, slates and tiles may be blown off. Other slight
9 Strong gale 75 - 86 21 - 24
structural damage may be caused.
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Hazard Sheet 12 Lifting Operations
Method of using a single sling in place of an endless sling Note how the double wrap grips the load and helps to prevent it
where a ‘bight’ is required. from slipping sideways out of the slings
A stirrup fitted temporarily in the bight will minimise damage
to the sling.
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Hazard Sheet 12 Lifting Operations
Bad Practice
Fig 14 Fig 18
‘Hooking back’ to the leg of a sling is not recommended. A sling which has been ‘doubled’ around a shackle has a Safe
Working Load equivalent only to that of a single part of the rope.
Max 90 Degrees
Fig 15 Fig 19
Avoid using single slings in this manner. Crane hooks shall not be loaded up to the full Safe Working
Load at an angle exceeding 90 degrees since there is a risk of
spraining the hook.
Max 90 Degrees
Fig 16 Fig 20
Eyebolts are not designed to be used with a hook. Instead, use a ‘Dee’ and ‘Bow’ shackles shall not be loaded at an angle exceeding
shackle. 90 degrees.
Max 120
Degrees
Fig 17 Fig 21
When using a halshing sling or reeving sling do not force the bight Do not use a sling which contains a severe kink,
down on to the load. or with loose or damaged strands.
The included angle formed by the bight should not exceed 120
degrees.
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Hazard Sheet 12 Lifting Operations
Gin wheels
A gin wheel is a simple lifting device often used to lift tools and small loads up to the working platform that might be on a scaffold.
■ all poles and hooks should be of suitable strength to withstand the loads
being lifted and be secured.
■ all ropes used shall fit the wheel correctly and have a safe working load Max. 750 mm
greater than the load s being lifted and should be tagged or identified
accordingly.
■ the gin wheel should be attached with proper hooks.
■ gin wheels should be suspended not more than 750mm from the outer
support.
■ hooks used for supporting materials should be safety hooks and spliced
into the rope.
■ the maximum loading should be no more than 50kg at 750mm from the Moused or
outer support. Safety hook
■ gin wheels should be subject to the usual inspection and test before use
and thereafter every 6 months.
■ if scaffolds are not available then other suitable anchorages should be
used.
■ a safety factor of 3 should be used in calculating the weight of the
counterweight.
Counterweight
(kilogrammes)
Fulcrum
W = 3 (2.5 x G x O)
T
W = weight of counterweight
G (Greatest lifted load)
T = tail length in metres
G = greatest load to be lifted
O = overhang in metres Fig 23 – Counter Balance Loading
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