When Do You Need a Lift Plan?

Lift operations are one of the most dangerous operations performed on a construction site or in an industrial warehouse. Such risky operations involve the use of cranes, hoists, or rigging systems, and even a minor error in planning or execution can cause serious accidents, project delays, and costly liabilities.

Moreover, the risks in lifting operations are not limited to the load itself but also extend to workers, nearby structures, and surrounding property. Any mishaps like poor coordination, incorrect load data, or unsuitable ground conditions can quickly turn a routine lift operation into a major incident. 

Given these risks associated with lift operations, a well-structured lift plan is required to ensure safety and efficiency. So a proper lift plan helps the project team to:

• Evaluate site conditions
• Select suitable equipment
• Assign responsibilities
• Define safe lifting procedures before the work starts.
• Improves communication between the supervisors, crane operators, and rigging crews during the operation. 

This article explains why a lift plan is essential for lifting operations and describes the key components of a structural lift plan.

What is a Lifting Plan?

A lifting plan is a technical written document that outlines how a lifting operation must be carried out safely, efficiently, and in compliance with the safety standards. Depending on the complexity and risk associated with the lifting operations, the lift plan varies, and it is reviewed each time to ensure the plan is valid. 

A detailed lift plan is mandatory when:

1. Need for critical lift, such as loads exceeding 75-80% of the crane's load capacity.
2. Lifting complex loads like expensive, difficult-to-replace, or non-routine items.
3. Need for tandem lifts, where two or more cranes are used to lift a single load.
4. Lifting in high-risk locations with active traffic, powerlines, and public zones
5. Challenging environments such as confined spaces, poor ground conditions, and windy regions. 

Key Components of a Lift Plan

A well-structured lift plan includes the following components:

1. Risk Assessment: Identify all possible hazards at the work site, such as overhead power lines, nearby structures, ground conditions, and weather risks. 
2. Method Statement: Clearly describe the step-by-step procedure that will be followed to carry out the lift safely.
3. Technical Information: Include all the technical details defining the lifting operations, such as load weight, crane capacity, lifting radius, rigging arrangement, ground conditions, and equipment specifications. 
4. Personnel and Equipment: Specify the responsible personnel, their roles, and confirm that the equipment used is approved and certified. 

The lift plan should be checked and approved by qualified personnel before the lifting operation begins. If there are any changes in site conditions or lifting parameters, the plan should be updated accordingly.

Is the Lifting Plan a Legal Requirement in the UAE?

Lift plan is a legal safety requirement in the UAE for construction and industrial lifting operations under federal workplace safety regulations and emirates level safety codes. All critical and non-routine critical lifts must have an approved written lifting plan supported by risk assessment and method statement.  

UAE safety codes, such as OSHAD CoP 34.0 and Trakhees Construction Safety Regulations, clearly demand a proper lifting plan before carrying out crane and heavy lifting works. Failure to follow this can lead to regulatory violations, work stoppage, and legal penalties.

Although lift plans must be prepared by certified lifting authorities, at Technomax, we provide lifting equipment inspection & certification in UAE along with crane monitoring and installation services that support projects in meeting lifting operation safety and crane compliance requirements. This helps ensure the lift plan is implemented effectively on site, not just documented, but properly executed in real lifting operations through verified crane setup and performance monitoring.

Who is Responsible for the Lifting Plan?

A lift plan should be developed by a person with significant and specific competency in the area of lift operations. The personnel should have adequate training, knowledge, skills, and expertise suitable to develop an appropriate lift plan for simple to complex lifting operations.

An appointed person prepares the lift plan, and this individual is responsible for planning the lift, assessing the risks, and ensuring that all safety measures are in place before the operation begins. 

In the UAE, the lift plans are normally prepared by a trained Appointed person or Lifting Supervisor who holds recognised lifting safety certifications. The exact requirements vary based on the emirate, the client, and the project type. 

Your Trusted Partner for Lifting Equipment Inspection in UAE

If you are looking for Lifting Equipment Inspection & Certification in the UAE, Technomax is your right partner. Our certified inspectors deliver thorough, standards-compliant inspections that ensure safety, reliability, and full regulatory compliance across all types of lifting equipment. We also offer Crane Modernization, Crane Installation, and Maintenance Services, providing end-to-end solutions to enhance performance, extend equipment life, and reduce operational risks. Backed by years of industry expertise and advanced testing methods, we help you minimise downtime and operate with complete confidence.

 Contact Technomax today to schedule your inspection or discuss your crane service requirements. Your Trusted Partner for Lifting Equipment Inspection

When Assessing Your Lift, You Will Want to Consider the Following Questions:

1. Work Area Hazards

Start by examining the lift location. 

• Check whether the ground or soil conditions are strong and stable enough to support the crane and the load. 
• Outrigger must be fully extended and supported on properly prepared, load-bearing surfaces. 
• Look for overhead power lines, restricted access routes, or obstructions that could interfere with crane operations. 
• Maintain the required minimum safe clearance from all obstacles   
• Check underground services like pipelines, storage tanks, or utility lines.

2. Risk to People

• Evaluate whether the lifting operations pose a risk to workers or the general public. 
• Consider whether the load will pass over occupied areas, walkways, or public zones. If not, exclusion zones or overhead protection systems may be necessary. 

3. Risks Related to the Load

The nature of the load can introduce risk.

• Irregular, unbalanced, oversized, or heavy loads behave unpredictably during lifting.
• Dynamic forces such as wind swings or sudden movement make the lifting loads unstable. 
• Flammable, pressurized, or fragile equipment requires controlled measures and specialized rigging methods. 

4. Environmental Conditions

Weather and surrounding environmental factors can significantly affect lifting safety. 

• High winds, rain, lightning, or poor visibility can make lifting operations unsafe. 
• Temperature extremes may affect equipment performance and load behavior. 
• Night lifts require additional lighting and visibility controls. 
• Extra planning is needed when lifting across different surfaces, such as from land to water, water to land, or between floating platforms.

5. Load Handling and Rigging Capacity

• Verify the load weight information is accurate and documented.
• Confirm that the crane and rigging equipment are rated well above the load weight, including dynamic loads. 
• Inspect the certification and condition of the lifting gear. 
• If the lifting operation requires multiple cranes, the sequence and coordination must be carefully engineered and supervised to prevent uneven loading or sudden load transfer. 

6. Financial and Operational Impact

Always consider the potential consequences of failure of  lift operations

• Impact of damaged load on project timelines and costs. 
• Check whether the equipment is critical or can be easily replaced.
• Account for the risk of damage to nearby structures, utilities, or client assets. 

FAQs

1. What requires a lift plan?

Any crane or mechanical lifting operation that involves moving heavy loads, working near hazards, or operating in restricted construction sites requires a lift plan to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. A lift plan is typically required when load weight, lift radius, ground conditions, or nearby utilities create measurable lifting risk.

2. What lifts require a lift plan?

All crane lifts should have a basic lift plan, while critical lifts, heavy lifts, tandem lifts, personnel lifts, and lifts near power lines or public areas require a detailed engineered lift plan. Complex rigging operations and high-value equipment lifts also require documented lift plans and approval.

3. When to use a lift plan?

A lift plan should be prepared before starting any lifting operation, during the job planning and risk assessment stage. It must be used when site conditions, weather, load complexity, or crane capacity limits can affect the safety and execution of the lifting operations. 

4. What is the main purpose of a lift plan?

The main purpose of a lift plan is to ensure safe, controlled, and efficient crane lifting operations by identifying hazards, verifying crane and rigging capacity, and defining the correct lifting procedure. It helps prevent accidents, equipment damage, delays, and regulatory violations.