Lifting procedures

This Technical Measures Document refers to issues surrounding lifting procedures and how they can be used to minimise the foreseeable risks of a major hazard accident.

The relevant Level 2 Criteria are:

Introduction

Many types of lifting equipment are used on major hazards sites. Major lifts to install or remove large plant items will involve the use of large cranes, such as tower cranes, and mobile cranes. However many plant operations will involve the lifting of drums of chemicals, mobile equipment and spares for maintenance using lifting chains, travelling cranes, hoists and lifting trucks. These smaller routine lifts are normally carried out by trained plant operators, whilst larger lifts are undertaken by specialists. Both these aspects are considered in this document.

General principles

The following issues may contribute towards a major accident or hazard:

Contributory factors for an assessor to consider concerning lifting procedures

Contributory factors may be:

Major hazards

The safety report should address the following points:

Codes of Practice relating to lifting procedures

The following HSE publications can be used as guidance material relating to safety issues surrounding lifting procedures:

Further reading material

Lifting Equipment Engineers Association

Case studies illustrating the importance of lifting procedures

2022-02-17