Permit to work · 10 precautions · 3 critical

Lifting Operations
permit to work

Crane lifts, complex lifting operations, or lifts over occupied areas.

These are the precautions the issuer confirms before signing. Each one says what good looks like, when it passes, the regulation it rests on and how it usually fails. Critical precautions are marked: if one cannot be confirmed, the permit is not issued.

Precautions before issue

  1. 1.
    Lift plan prepared and approved
    Critical: a fail stops the work
    What to look forA written lift plan prepared by a competent Appointed Person to BS 7121 part 1, classified as basic / standard / complex. Plan defines: load weight + COG, crane SWL at radius, sling configuration, lifting points, ground bearing, exclusion zone, signalling method, weather limits, abort criteria, fall-of-load procedure. For complex lifts (multi-crane tandem, blind lift, lift over occupied building, lift to >75% of crane SWL) plan reviewed by independent engineer. Pre-lift briefing signed by all involved.
    Acceptable whenLift plan to BS 7121-1. Classified basic / standard / complex. Complex lifts independently reviewed. Pre-lift briefing signed by AP, slinger, signaller, crane operator, banksman. Load chart radius vs SWL not exceeded. Tandem lift = max 75% of each crane SWL.
    StandardLOLER 1998 reg 8. BS 7121-1:2016 Code of practice for safe use of cranes, general. BS 7121-3 (mobile cranes), BS 7121-5 (tower cranes). CPA Lifting Operations guidance.
    Common defectsGeneric lift plan re-used, actual load weight, geometry, ground not site-specificCOG estimated, not measured/calculated, load tilts on liftComplex lift treated as standard, no independent engineer reviewCrane radius read from a flat datum, ground actually slopes, load chart wrongBriefing not signed by all parties, accountability disputed post-incident
  2. 2.
    Crane/equipment LOLER certificate current
    Critical: a fail stops the work
    What to look forThorough Examination Report (TER) by competent person within last 12 months for cranes (or 6 months for any kit lifting persons), per LOLER reg 9. Report ID matches the unit. Any defects from previous TER closed out. Daily pre-use inspection by operator (logbook entry). Manufacturer service intervals up to date. Hooks have safety latches, wire ropes free of broken wires beyond 5% per lay length.
    Acceptable whenTER <12 months (cranes / lifting accessories not lifting persons), <6 months (lifting persons or after exceptional event). Report defect actions closed. Daily pre-use logbook. Wire ropes <5% broken wires per lay (BS ISO 4309). Hook latch present and functional.
    StandardLOLER 1998 reg 9, 10, 11. BS 7121. BS ISO 4309 wire rope inspection.
    Common defectsTER expired by 2 weeks, crane operating without valid certificationReport on a different unit than the one in use (similar serial misread)Defects from previous TER not actioned, known fault still presentWire rope broken-wire count exceeded but rope still in serviceHook latch broken off, not replaced, sling can disengage from hookDaily pre-use log not maintained, defect history unknown
  3. 3.
    Appointed person identified
    What to look forNamed, competent Appointed Person (AP) per BS 7121-1, with formal CPCS A61 / A62 / N401 or CITB / equivalent training. AP has authority over the lift, briefs the team, signs the plan, can stop the lift unilaterally. Not the same person as the crane operator or slinger (separation of roles). Available on site for the duration of the lift.
    Acceptable whenCPCS A61 (basic), A62 (standard), N401 (complex) or equivalent. Authority recorded in writing. Independent of operator/slinger roles. Present on site for the lift.
    StandardBS 7121-1:2016. LOLER 1998. CPCS / NPORS / CSCS schemes.
    Common defectsCrane operator doubling as AP, no separation, no oversightAP off-site at the time of lift, unilateral stop authority not presentAP qualified for basic lift only, executing complex liftNo written record of AP authority, disputed in investigation
  4. 4.
    Slinger/signaller competent and briefed
    What to look forSlinger holds CPCS A40 (slinger/signaller) or equivalent NPORS scheme. Signaller in clear sight of the crane operator AT ALL TIMES (or relay signallers where a single line of sight is impossible). Standard signal vocabulary (BS 7121 hand signals or radio signals) used; only one signaller in command at any moment. Briefed on the lift plan, lift weight, abort triggers.
    Acceptable whenCPCS A40 / NPORS equivalent. One signaller in command. BS 7121 hand or radio signals. Clear sight line or relay arrangement. Briefed on plan and signed pre-lift sheet.
    StandardBS 7121-1. LOLER 1998. CPCS A40.
    Common defectsMultiple people signalling from different directions, operator confused, lift held mid-airSignaller behind a wall, operator loses sight, continues blindNon-CPCS slinger, incorrect sling angles appliedRadio interference cuts out signaller, operator continuesAbort signal not pre-agreed, operator unsure when to stop
  5. 5.
    Load weight confirmed, within SWL
    What to look forLoad weight confirmed by manufacturer data, weighbridge ticket, or load cell reading, NOT eyeballed or estimated. Total includes load + lifting accessories (sling, spreader beam, shackles can be 100kg+). SWL of crane checked against load chart at the actual radius and boom configuration of the lift. Margin of safety of 25% is good practice for unknown weights.
    Acceptable whenWeight from data sheet, weighbridge, or load cell. Includes accessories. Crane SWL at actual radius (with boom extension, jib if any) >= 1.0 x load. Tandem lift = each crane <75% of its SWL. SWL of slings/shackles >= load.
    StandardLOLER 1998 reg 4 (suitability), reg 7 (safe lifting). BS 7121. Manufacturer load chart.
    Common defectsLoad weight estimated from drawings, actual weight 30% higher (concrete added, paint applied)Sling and spreader beam weight not added, total exceeds SWLCrane SWL read at minimum radius, lift actually at full extension, different SWLTandem lift each crane >75% SWL, no margin for swayShackle SWL stamped illegible, used regardless
  6. 6.
    Lifting equipment inspected (slings, shackles)
    What to look forSlings (chain, wire, fabric, round) within their TER period (6-monthly per LOLER for accessories). Pre-use inspection by competent person, chain links not stretched/twisted, wire rope not broken/kinked, fabric not cut/UV-degraded. Shackle SWL legible, pin matches body, no thread damage. Identification tag legible. Fabric slings not used over sharp edges without packing or sleeves.
    Acceptable whenTER <6 months for accessories. Pre-use visual inspection. SWL legibly marked. No defects: chain stretch >5%, wire broken-wires >5% per lay, fabric cuts/abrasion/UV burn. Shackle pin correctly fitted.
    StandardLOLER 1998 reg 9. BS EN 1492 (textile slings), BS EN 818 (chain slings), BS EN 13414 (wire rope slings), BS EN 13889 (shackles).
    Common defectsFabric sling used over sharp edge of steel section, cuts under loadChain link with stretched/elongated profile, overload history, ready to failWire rope with kink, local strength reduced 30-50%Shackle pin from a different shackle (lower SWL), under-ratedTag illegible, SWL unknownSlings stored on the ground in mud, corrosion / abrasion accelerated
  7. 7.
    Exclusion zone established and maintained
    Critical: a fail stops the work
    What to look forA defined exclusion zone (Heras + sentry) covering the full sweep of the load + a buffer for sway (typically 1.5 x maximum sway angle). Zone covers the lift path AND the drop zone. No personnel under the load at any time. Slewing radius cleared of all personnel where load could fall. Zone enforced by sentry, not just signed.
    Acceptable whenZone radius >= load swing radius + sway buffer. No personnel under load. Sentry at access points. Heras barrier with signage. Zone maintained throughout the lift, not just at start.
    StandardLOLER 1998. BS 7121. CDM 2015. HSG144.
    Common defectsSentry leaves post mid-lift, pedestrian wanders under loadZone defined for static load position, no allowance for sway, load sways out of zoneSlinger remains under the load to "guide it down", no tag line, in fall pathHeras barrier with no toeboard, small dropped item exits zoneVehicle access through exclusion zone, driver continues during a lift
  8. 8.
    Tag lines in use
    What to look forTwo tag lines (manila or polypropylene rope, 12mm minimum) attached to the load to control rotation and sway. Tag line operatives stand outside the exclusion zone, never under the load. Lines long enough to control without operative being pulled in. Knots tested. Tag line operators briefed on let-go criteria.
    Acceptable when2 tag lines minimum on loads with rotation potential. Lines >= 1.5 x lift height for free movement. Operators outside exclusion zone. Briefed on let-go criteria. Lines secured to load with non-slip knot or proprietary clip.
    StandardBS 7121-1. LOLER 1998.
    Common defectsSingle tag line, load rotates uncontrolledTag line operator pulled forward into exclusion zone by load swingTag line too short, operator must enter zone to controlNo briefing on let-go, operator hangs onto line into the swinging loadTag line knotted to a fragile point, comes free mid-lift
  9. 9.
    Wind speed within limits
    What to look forAnemometer reading at the boom tip / hook level (not at ground or weather forecast). Manufacturer wind limit observed, typically 9-12 m/s for mobile cranes, 20 m/s for tower cranes (out of service). Wind effect on the load itself: large flat loads (panels, sheets) act as sails and become uncontrollable at much lower wind speeds. Lift suspended above limit and resumed only after sustained calm.
    Acceptable whenWind at boom-tip height. Mobile crane in-service typical 9-12 m/s (per load chart). Tower crane out-of-service typical 20 m/s (vane, slewing free). Sail effect on flat loads, derate per BS 7121. Anemometer calibrated.
    StandardBS 7121. LOLER 1998. Manufacturer crane manual. Met Office Beaufort scale.
    Common defectsWind speed from ground anemometer, boom-tip wind 30% higherSail effect ignored, large panel pendulums at 7 m/sTower crane left in-service overnight, gust event 25 m/s, crane damageAnemometer cal expired, readings unreliableLift continued through a gust front rather than waiting
  10. 10.
    Ground conditions adequate for outriggers
    What to look forGround bearing capacity sufficient for crane reaction loads at the outriggers. Bearing pressure typically calculated by AP and verified against ground survey. Where bearing inadequate, spreader mats / cribbage / steel plate distribute load. Outriggers fully extended (NOT partially) and pinned. Ground checked for buried voids, recent excavations, drains, basement structures within failure cone.
    Acceptable whenOutrigger reaction load < ground bearing capacity. Mats sized to reduce ground pressure to bearing capacity (typical: 50-100 kN/m² unfactored on natural ground, much higher on slabs). Outriggers fully extended and pinned. No buried voids/drains/basements within 45 deg failure cone below outrigger.
    StandardBS 7121. CIRIA C760. HSE GS6 Avoidance of danger from overhead electric power lines (where also relevant). Ground investigation report.
    Common defectsOutriggers on tarmac over a culvert, collapses under reaction loadSingle timber pad, point load, ground punches under padOutriggers partially extended, overturning moment exceeds ratingNo ground bearing check, assumed adequate, wrongRecent service trench under outrigger position, backfill compacts under loadOutrigger over basement light well, slab fails

Questions people ask

When is a lifting operations permit needed?

Crane lifts, complex lifting operations, or lifts over occupied areas. A permit is the right control when the work is high risk, time-limited and depends on specific precautions being in place before it starts and being kept in place while it runs. It does not replace the RAMS; it sits on top of it for that shift. Guidance, not legal advice.

Who issues a permit to work?

An authorised person who is competent for that type of work and is not the one doing it. They walk the job, confirm each precaution, sign the permit, and hand it to the person in charge of the work, who accepts it by signature. Two names, two signatures, a start time and an expiry.

How long is a permit valid?

One shift, or a shorter stated period. If the conditions change, the permit is suspended, not stretched. A new day is a new permit, walked and signed again, because the site is not the same site it was yesterday.

What does critical mean on a precaution?

3 of the 10 precautions here are marked critical. If a critical precaution cannot be confirmed, the permit is not issued and the work does not start. The rest can be conditioned or noted; the critical ones cannot.

How is the permit closed out?

The person in charge hands it back when the work stops, the issuer checks the area is left safe, and both sign the close-out. For hot works that includes the fire watch period after the last spark. The closed permit is kept with the job file.

Issue it on a phone, close it out on a phone

The same 10 precautions with the guidance a tap away, issuer and acceptor signatures, start and expiry times, suspension, close-out and a branded PDF in the job file. 14 days free.

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