Lifting Operation & Rigging Safety: Planning, Stability & Sling Load Kit

This kit provides a structured, practical guide to safe lifting operations and rigging. It covers lift planning, crane stability, load calculation, sling angles, hitches, rigging hardware, communication, and crane selection.

What is inside:

Why safe lifting matters: protecting people, avoiding financial loss, keeping work on schedule

Common lifting hazards: contact with power lines, struck by swinging load, dropped load, ground/outrigger failure, crane overturning, boom collapse

Lift planning flowchart: routine vs. non-routine/critical lifts, risk assessment, pre-lift meeting, permit to work

Load behaviour: centre of gravity (CoG) for symmetrical and asymmetrical loads

Pre-job checklist: scope of work, crane type and capacity, load weight/dimensions, lifting gear WLL, roles and responsibilities, training, ground conditions, exclusion zone, communication, sling angles, environmental factors, permit to work

Load calculation: factors that add to the real load (wind, shock loading, suction, snagging, dynamic movement)

Crane capacity: working radius vs. lifting capacity, reading load charts

Crane stability: tipping point, crane leverage vs. load leverage, stability calculations

Lowering below outriggers: weight of the falls, extra rope weight

Crane set-up: 360° working zone, front vs. rear/side lifting risks

Ground bearing: sizing outrigger pads and crane mats, area calculation, worked example

Sling safety: sling angle factor, tension factors table, off-centre CoG and unequal load distribution, choosing sling length to control angle

Hitches: choker hitch angle of choke, loss factors, wire rope sling WLL rule of thumb

Rigging practice: correct shackle and sling position on hook, load on the hook bowl, wire rope clips and wedge sockets

S-L-I-N-G five checks before every lift

Mobile crane hand signals

Crane selection: load × working radius quick guide

Set-up checklist, load and rigging table, and crane calculation example

Key takeaways: know the true weight and CoG, radius up means capacity down, sling angles 60° or steeper, firm ground and full outriggers, one signaller and clear signals

Who it is for

Lifting supervisors, crane operators, riggers, appointed persons, safety officers, construction managers, and anyone involved in lifting operations.

How to use it

Use this kit as a training manual, a pre-lift planning reference, a toolbox talk guide, a rigging calculation aid, and a quick revision tool for safe lifting operations. It supports compliance with OSHA, ASME B30, and site lifting procedures.