How to Plan a Lift Safely Under LOLER
Every lifting operation involving lifting equipment must be properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out safely under LOLER 1998. In practice that means a written lift plan for anything beyond the most routine, repetitive lift — and a genuinely competent appointed person signing it off, not a template pulled from a previous job.
The step-by-step process
1. Appoint a competent person
The appointed person (AP) plans and takes responsibility for the lift. They need genuine, demonstrable competence in lifting operations for the equipment and load type involved — not just a job title.
2. Classify the lift
Determine whether this is a basic lift (routine, repetitive, using standard equipment and unchanging site conditions) or a complex lift (non-routine, multiple cranes, restricted access, or lifting near other structures/services). Complex lifts need a fuller written plan.
3. Assess the load
Confirm actual weight, centre of gravity, lifting points and any handling constraints (fragile, awkward shape, environmentally sensitive). Never rely on an estimated weight for anything beyond a small, obviously light load.
4. Check ground conditions and outrigger loading
Ground-bearing capacity must be confirmed for the crane's outrigger loads, especially after rain or on made-up ground. This is one of the most common causes of crane overturns and one of the easiest to check properly beforehand.
5. Select the equipment and set the radius/capacity
Match crane capacity, jib configuration and radius to the load weight with an appropriate safety margin, referencing the crane's load chart directly rather than an assumption from a similar previous job.
6. Define exclusion zones and communication method
Set a clear exclusion zone under and around the load path, and confirm hand signals or radio communication between the appointed person, slinger/signaller and crane operator before the lift starts.
7. Brief the team and confirm weather limits
Brief everyone involved on the plan, the exclusion zone and the abort criteria — including wind speed cut-offs — before lifting begins, and confirm who has authority to stop the lift.
8. Record and review
Keep the signed lift plan on file. For repetitive basic lifts, a generic plan can be reused provided conditions genuinely stay the same; any change in load, site or equipment requires a new assessment.
What good looks like
- A named, genuinely competent appointed person signing every non-routine lift plan
- Ground-bearing capacity checked and recorded before outriggers are set, not assumed from a previous visit
- Clear abort criteria — including a wind speed limit — briefed and understood by the whole lift team
- Lift plans that actually match the load, crane and site conditions on the day, not a copy-paste from a different job
Common failure points
- Reusing a generic lift plan for a load, radius or ground condition it wasn't actually written for
- No independent check of ground-bearing capacity before outriggers are extended
- Wind speed cut-off decisions left to be made mid-lift rather than agreed and delegated beforehand
- Slinger/signaller working without formal training in signalling and exclusion zone control
On-page checklist
- Competent appointed person named and signed off
- Lift classified as basic or complex
- Load weight, centre of gravity and lifting points confirmed
- Ground-bearing capacity checked for outrigger loads
- Crane capacity and radius matched to load chart
- Exclusion zone and communication method set
- Wind speed and weather abort criteria agreed and briefed
- Signed lift plan retained on file
FAQs
What's the difference between a basic and complex lift under LOLER?
A basic lift is routine, uses standard equipment, involves a familiar load and stable site conditions. A complex lift involves non-routine factors — multiple cranes, restricted clearances, unusual loads or changing ground — and needs a fuller, specific written plan.
Who can be the appointed person for a lift?
Anyone with demonstrable, current competence in planning lifting operations for the equipment and load type involved. It's a competence-based role, not an automatic responsibility of a job title such as site manager.
Does BS 7121 apply alongside LOLER?
Yes — BS 7121 is the code of practice for safe use of cranes that sets out detailed good-practice guidance many appointed persons and clients expect lift plans to follow, in addition to the legal duties in LOLER 1998.
How often should lifting equipment itself be inspected?
Separately from lift planning, lifting equipment requires thorough examination under LOLER at set intervals (commonly 6 or 12 months depending on equipment type) — see our LOLER thorough examination guide.
Need help getting this right on your site?
Call Chris directly or request a quote — most bookings across Aberdeenshire mobilise inside a week.