Work Activities · 8 checks · 2 critical

Lifting Operations
safety audit checklist

Crane ops, slinging, lift plans, LOLER, exclusion zones.

Every check below says what good looks like, when it passes, the regulation or HSE guidance it rests on and the defects that usually fail it. Critical checks are marked: a fail on one of those stops the activity.

  1. 1.
    Lift plan in place for all crane/complex lifts
    Critical: a fail stops the work
    What to look forLift plan written and signed by Appointed Person for all crane lifts and any tandem/complex lifts. Plan covers: load weight + COG, crane configuration, radius, capacity check (>75% utilisation = critical lift), ground bearing pressure, exclusion zone, lifting accessories, communication, contingency. Briefed to whole lift team before each lift.
    Acceptable whenLOLER 1998 Reg 8, every lifting operation properly planned by competent person, appropriately supervised, carried out safely. BS 7121 series (Code of Practice for Safe Use of Cranes). Routine lifts may use generic plan; complex/tandem/over occupied buildings need bespoke.
    StandardLOLER 1998 Reg 8. BS 7121-1:2016 (general). BS 7121-3:2017 (mobile cranes). CPA Crane Hire Best Practice Guidance.
    Common defectsNo lift plan, only verbal toolbox talkPlan generic, doesn't reference today's load weight or radiusCritical lift (>75% capacity) treated as routineNo ground bearing check, outriggers sinking on liftLift over occupied area without specific approvalBriefing missed, slinger arriving mid-lift
  2. 2.
    Appointed person for lifting operations identified
    What to look forNamed Appointed Person (AP) competent to BS 7121, typically CPCS A61/A62 or NPORS equivalent + lift planning experience. AP responsible for planning, supervision and the lifting operation overall. Different from Crane Supervisor (lift supervisor on the day). On site or contactable during all lifts.
    Acceptable whenLOLER 1998 Reg 8(1)(c). BS 7121-1, Appointed Person role defined. Competence demonstrated by qualification (CPCS A61/A62, NPORS N107/N108, or equivalent CITB/IPAF) plus relevant experience. Documented appointment by employer.
    StandardLOLER 1998 Reg 8. BS 7121-1:2016. CPCS / NPORS competence cards.
    Common defectsCrane operator self-approving lift, no APAP appointed but not familiar with this lift / not on siteAP card expiredNo documented appointmentConfusion of AP and Crane Supervisor roles
  3. 3.
    Slinger/signaller competent and briefed
    What to look forCPCS A40 / NPORS N401 (Slinger Signaller) blue card or red trainee card with supervision. Aware of load weight, COG, lifting points. Standard hand signals (BS 7121 / BS 6736) or radio. In view of operator throughout. Hi-vis distinct from operatives. Pre-lift briefing attended.
    Acceptable whenLOLER 1998 Reg 8. BS 7121, slinger/signaller required for safe load attachment and signalling. Competence card scheme (CPCS, NPORS, ALLMI). Standard signals known to both slinger and operator.
    StandardLOLER 1998 Reg 8. BS 7121-1:2016 chapter 13. BS 6736:1986. CPCS A40 / NPORS N401.
    Common defectsNo qualified slinger, operative attaching loads on the daySlinger out of operator sight, losing control of loadNon-standard signals, confusionMultiple people signalling, operator stops liftSlinger card expiredNo pre-lift briefing
  4. 4.
    Exclusion zone established during lifts
    What to look forHard barrier (Heras, scaffold, water-fill barrier) around lift area extending beyond load fall radius. Public excluded if lift over public area (separate plan required). Operatives outside zone except slinger and load-receiving banksman. Banksmen visible at zone boundary. Lift only when zone confirmed clear.
    Acceptable whenLOLER 1998 Reg 8 + BS 7121, exclusion zone sized to load + radius + fall path. CDM 2015 Reg 27 (vehicle/people separation). HSWA 1974 s.3 (duty to non-employees). Lift over occupied buildings or public areas requires specific risk assessment and likely closure of public area.
    StandardLOLER 1998 Reg 8. BS 7121 series. CDM 2015 Reg 27. HSWA 1974 s.3.
    Common defectsTape only as exclusion, operative ducks underZone too small, load swing extends past barrierLift continues despite operative entering zoneNo banksman at zone boundary, unobserved entryPublic footpath open during lift over street
  5. 5.
    Lifting equipment in date and colour-coded
    What to look forSlings, chains, shackles, eyebolts marked with SWL, ID number, last inspection date. Colour-coded tag matching site's current quarter colour (typical site practice, e.g. red Q1, blue Q2, etc). Within 6-monthly thorough exam (LOLER for accessories). Pre-use inspected before each lift. Damaged kit removed and tagged "DO NOT USE".
    Acceptable whenLOLER 1998 Reg 9, thorough examination of accessories at least every 6 months. SWL marking required (Reg 7). Pre-use checks. EWL01 LEEA recommendations for inspection regime.
    StandardLOLER 1998 Reg 7 + 9. BS EN 13414 (steel wire rope slings), EN 1492 (textile), EN 818 (chain). LEEA Code of Practice for Safe Use of Lifting Equipment.
    Common defectsSling tag illegible / cut offOut of 6-monthly thorough exam dateDamaged sling (broken wires, chemical attack) still in useWrong colour code, last quarter's tag still onImprovised lifting (using a chain not rated as a sling)
  6. 6.
    Crane LOLER thorough examination current
    Critical: a fail stops the work
    What to look forF92 LOLER thorough examination certificate within 12 months for crane (12-monthly for lifting equipment generally; 6-monthly for accessories and equipment lifting people). Certificate available on site. Defects from prior exam closed out. Daily/weekly checks logged in operator log book. Auto-Safe Load Indicator (SLI) functional.
    Acceptable whenLOLER 1998 Reg 9, thorough examination 12 months for lifting equipment, 6 months for accessories or equipment lifting people. F92 (or F93) report retained for at least 2 years. Reportable defects to HSE if discovered.
    StandardLOLER 1998 Reg 9 + 10. CDM 2015. BS 7121 series.
    Common defectsF92 expiredF92 on file but defects not actionedSLI bypassed/silencedDaily operator checks not loggedLifting people without 6-monthly exam (12-mo only)F92 from old hire, current owner has no thorough exam
  7. 7.
    Tag lines in use on all suspended loads
    What to look forOne or two tag lines (rope) attached to load to control rotation/swing. Long enough to keep operative outside the load fall radius. Slinger NOT under load. Operatives never reach above shoulder to grab a swinging load. For long/awkward loads, two taglines held by separate banksmen.
    Acceptable whenBS 7121 series, tag lines required for any load that may swing or rotate. Length such that operatives remain outside fall zone. Trained slingers/banksmen.
    StandardBS 7121-1:2016. LOLER 1998 Reg 8.
    Common defectsTag line too short, operative under load to control itNo tag line on long awkward load, uncontrolled swingTag line tied to load, won't release if neededSingle tag line on long load, rotates uncontrolledOperative grabbing load by hand at chest height, strike injury risk
  8. 8.
    Wind speed within operational limits
    What to look forAnemometer on crane jib reading current wind. Crane manufacturer max wind speed referenced (typical mobile crane 9-13 m/s for routine; lower for outsize/sail-area loads). Lift suspended when limit reached. Beaufort observation as backup. Forecast checked at start of day.
    Acceptable whenBS 7121 series, wind speed must not exceed manufacturer's limit. Typical mobile crane limit 9 m/s (20 mph) for general; 7 m/s (16 mph) for tower cranes lifting; load-specific reductions for sail-area loads. AP determines lift-specific limit.
    StandardBS 7121-1:2016. BS 7121-3:2017 (mobile). BS 7121-5:2019 (tower cranes). LOLER 1998.
    Common defectsNo anemometer / not workingLift continued above manufacturer limitSail-area load (large panel) lifted in moderate windNo forecast checked, sudden gusts not anticipatedCrane left luffed up (jib raised) overnight in high wind

Questions people ask

How often should a lifting operations audit be done?

Weekly is the common rhythm for a live site, plus whenever the work, the plant or the people change and after any incident or near miss. What matters is that it is scored, recorded, dated and the actions are closed out, not the exact frequency. Guidance, not legal advice.

What is the difference between a safety audit and an inspection?

An inspection looks at the site. An audit checks the system as well: is the paperwork there, do the people know it, is what was promised actually happening. On a small site the words blur, and that is fine. The checks below cover both.

What happens with a failed item?

A corrective action with an owner and a date, and a photo of the fail so nobody argues later. 2 of the 8 checks here are marked critical: a fail on one of those stops that activity until it is put right.

Who should carry out the audit?

A competent person, and where possible not the person whose work is being looked at. The site manager auditing the site manager's housekeeping is better than nothing, but a visiting supervisor or the SHEQ lead sees what the regular eye has stopped noticing.

Is a site safety audit a legal requirement?

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require arrangements for monitoring your health and safety measures (regulation 5), and CDM 2015 requires every contractor to plan, manage and monitor the work under their control (regulation 15). A recorded, scored audit is how you show that is happening. Guidance, not legal advice.

Score it on a phone, actions raised for you

The same 8 checks with the guidance a tap away, a score out of 100, photos against each fail, corrective actions with owners and dates, and a branded PDF. 14 days free.

Start free trial