Critical Lift Plans Promote Safe Hoisting Operations

The hoisting operation appeared to be an everyday event: Lift a decommissioned boiler

out of a facility and place it onto a truck. However, the crane was loaded beyond its rated
capacity, causing the crane to tip and drop the boiler. After striking the ground, the boiler
split open and spread radioactive contamination. As a result, three workers were seriously
injured and the decommissioning project was delayed 6 months.
Although the above incident never occurred, it illustrated the potentially serious
consequences resulting from hoisting accidents. The DOE Hoisting and Rigging Manual
designated as lift as "critical" if a resulting accident could cause death, injury, health
impacts, significant property damage, or project delay.
Since all hoisting operations are inherently dangerous, planning is a crucial factor in
successfully completing a critical lift. The following steps will help ensure your next
critical lift is properly planned and safely completed.
First, the operating organization must appoint a person-in-charge for the entire lifting
operation. This person must meet the definitions of "appointed," "designated," and
"qualified" as described in the Manual. Also, this person must be present at the lift site
during the entire lifting operation.
The person-in-charge ensures that a pre-lift plan is prepared; it defines the operation and
includes the following information.
1. List of items to be moved, including a description of each item's weight,
dimensions, center of gravity, and presence of hazardous or toxic materials.
2. List and description of the type and rated capacity of operating equipment, such as
cranes or forklifts, that are needed to perform the move.
3. Rigging sketches that server as a guide or blueprint of what will happen. The
sketches may include lifting points, methods of attachment, sling angles, load
vectors, boom and swing angles, crane orientations, rated capacities, and other
factors affecting equipment operation.
4. Step-by-step operating procedures that include applicable rigging precautions and
safety measures.
The person-in-charge ensures that experienced operators and signalers assigned to the lift
are trained and qualified to operate the specific equipment and give required signals.
Next, the person-in-charge ensures that Manual sections addressing the specific
equipment used are followed. This includes activities such as inspections and operating
practices.

Deliberate, Disciplined Approach

Before making the lift, the procedure and rigging sketches must be reviewed and
approved by the responsible manager or designee and the responsible oversight
organization such as Safety and Quality Assurance or Quality Control.
Finally, a pre-lift meeting must be held before actually making the lift. All personnel
involved in the lift must attend, including operators, signalers, person-in-charge, and
others as required. During the meeting, the critical lift plan is reviewed and questions
resolved.
Critical lift plans, when implemented by trained and knowledgeable personnel, are the
most effective way to identify potentially unsafe conditions and prevent accidents. For
more information or to request a copy of the DOE Hoisting and Rigging Manual, contact
Edward Patigalia (EH-313) at (301)903-3972.
[A related article on critical lift plans, "Good Lift Plans Promote Safe Hoisting and
Rigging Operations," was published in the February 1994 issue of the Occupational
Safety Observer (page 6). For a copy of the Observer, contact John Everett at (206)5283246.]

Next Section
Previous Section
Safety & Health Connection - Summer 1994
Safety & Health Connection
TIS