Crane Lift Plan

A lift plan is a crucial document that ensures safe and efficient crane operations, providing detailed guidelines for the entire lifting process. As lift planning pertains to work health and safety by seeking to minimise the risks involved in crane operation and improve the safety it should be carried out every time crane operation is involved.

According to Safe Work Australia:

Everyone in the workplace has a work health and safety duty. A range of people have specific responsibilities for cranes including the: crane designer, manufacturer, importer and/or supplier crane owner and other persons with management or control of the crane or the workplace where a crane will operate, competent person who inspects cranes, and crane operator.

Yes, both in NSW and in Australia there are lifting equipment inspection requirements in line with Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations. Generally, employers and equipment owners are responsible for ensuring compliance of cranes and lifting equipment with these regulations.

For specific details see Work Safe Australia. Generally, employers and equipment owners are mandated to conduct regular inspections, the frequency of which depends on the type of equipment and associated risks.

Preventive maintenance programs must be in place, and comprehensive records of inspections, maintenance and identified defects are required. Certification by competent persons may be necessary for certain lifting equipment. Training and competency of individuals conducting inspections are crucial.

According to Safe Work Australia, responsibility for a lift plan falls on a competent person with expertise in crane operations. A competent person, in the context of a lift plan, is someone who possesses the knowledge, training and experience to plan and supervise crane operations safely.

This may include but is not limited to:

• Qualified Crane Operators
• Site Supervisors
• Certified Engineers
• Health and Safety Professionals

It’s important that the person or team creating the crane lift plan has a thorough understanding of the specific requirements of the lift, the equipment involved and the site conditions to ensure a safe and successful operation.

The need for a lift plan for a telehandler depends on the specific circumstances and the nature of the lifting operation. In many cases, especially for complex or high-risk lifts, it is advisable and sometimes required to have a lift plan in place for telehandler operations.

If unsure, you can always contact the lift planning professionals at Allied Crane Hire. We prepare lift plans across a range of industries.