Lifting Operation

Lifting operations by cranes are hazardous activities. Hazards specific to lifting are drop
loads, struck by load, contact with moving machinery and turnover of cranes. Some other
hazards which are present in lifting and also other activities/operations are slip,trips & fall,
noise etc

As it’s common knowledge that one factor alone ​does not contributes to an incident it is upon
the responsible person to ensure that the lifting operation is conducted safely. In the midst of
being a safety oriented company and the stress to meet deadlines employers sometimes
forget and set aside safety to second position.

Local regulations though do not separate between management or worker. Whoever is guilty
is punished punitively, sometimes by incarceration depending on the offence. These are due
to the steps taken to improve WSH standards in Singapore.

Hence what are the steps to be taken to perform a safe lifting operation?

1. Selection of the Lifting Machine - the lifting machine/crane has to be selected bearing
in mind the weight of the item lifted, the initial and final location of the load, the swing
radius, ground conditions etc.

2. Risk Assessment - Risk Assessment to be performed as a team led by the RA team

leader. A team for lifting should consist of the crane operator, lifting supervisor, rigger
and signalman and other relevant personnel. Never trust an assessment performed
wholly in the office. No matter how familiar you are with the work location a
walkabout should be performed for the Risk Assessment and critical changes done at
the workplace should be highlighted in the Risk Assessment.

3. Roles and Responsibility of Lifting Team -

Lifting Supervisor - Trained (WSQ Supervise Safe Lifting Operations Course).

Experience (Min 1 year of experience in lifting operations).
Ensure the team understand all the safe working procedures.

Crane Operator - Competent.

Familiar with the crane he is operating.
Registered and renew registration every 2 year before expiration.
Completed the necessary training course.

Rigger and Signalman - Trained (WSQ Perform Rigger and Signalman Task Course)

4. Lifting Plan - contains a set of plans, including the details of the load, details of the
lifting equipment/gear, personnel involved in the operation, physical environmental
 etc. A sample lifting plan is available in Appendix 1 of the Code of Practice Safe
Lifting Operations in the Workplaces

5. Valid permit to work, Checklists - A permit to work is mandatory for all lifting activities
based on the Workplace Safety and Health (Construction) Regulations 2007.

6. Emergency Procedures - A emergency response plan should be in place in case of

an incident. All scenarios have to be foreseen and identified in the ERP. Emergency
drills should be conducted regularly in the workplace in all scenarios not only for
cranes. The lifting team should be aware of the ERP and the details contained
therein.

Hence planning for a lifting operations and fulfilling each and everyone’s responsibility is
crucial in carrying lifting safely. A misconception about lifting though is that non-routine,
heavy lift are the type of operation which possess danger. However it’s the opposite.
Whenever a heavy lift, non-routine lifts are performed everyone is overly concerned from
management to shop floor that all the steps are scrutinised. But during a routine lift the same
consideration is not given. Due to this we can see that no.of incidents due to routine lifts are
more, not only because of the frequency but also because the importance given to them.