Mechanical Lifts – Safety Around Suspended Loads
| Purpose |
To establish safe practices for working around suspended loads lifted by mechanical equipment such as boom cranes and telehandlers, to prevent injuries and property damage during residential construction. |
| Definition |
Mechanical Lift include the raising, lowering, or movement of building materials (lumber, OSB panels, trusses, joists wall sections, etc.) using powered machinery, such as boom cranes or telehandlers. |
| Hazards
This list of potential hazards is not comprehensive. Workers are required to complete a Hazard Assessment prior to starting this task to ensure all hazards are identified and controlled.
|
Physical:
- Rigging or load failure
- Crush or struck by
- Equipment tip over
- Pinch points
- Contact with powerlines/overhead
- Weather Conditions
- Limited visibility
- Contact with structures and equipment
- Mechanical failure
|
| Controls |
Engineering:
Administrative:
- SWP/SJP’s related to the use of Mobile Cranes, Load Securement, Hoisting and Rigging (if required)
- Pre-lift planning
- Pre-lift and annual inspection
- Training (Certified Operator)
- Control Zone
- Load chart
- Safe limits of approach
- Hazard Assessment
- Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
Personal Protective Equipment:
- Basic PPE: Hard hat, hi-vis apparel, CSA/ANSI approved safety footwear
|
| Work Site Supervisory Responsibility |
Do
- Ensure a Lift Plan is in place for all Critical Lifts.
- Verify that equipment operators and riggers are properly trained/ certified and fit for duty
- Verify lifting equipment and rigging have been inspected and are in good condition
- Ensure signal persons and/or spotters are used in low visibility areas.
- Communicate to operator hazards known to you that may not be obvious (ex: freshly disturbed soil).
- Ensure compliance with Applicable Legislation and operating standards.
- Verify completion of hazard assessment.
- Verify completion of pre-use inspection.
- Verify equipment is inspected annually
Do not
- Allow a lift to proceed if you have any safety concerns.
- Allow Workers to work alone if they are not trained.
- Allow Workers to work, stand, or walk under suspended loads or in the swing radius of the equipment.
- Allow lifting operations when wind exceeds 40km/h or during lightning storms.
- Allow Workers to walk/stand on a suspended load (ex: OSB Staks).
- Allow unauthorized personnel in the control zone.
|
| Worker Responsibility |
Do
- Ensure a trained rigger and trained signal person are on site.
- Ensure no unauthorized person is in the control zone before starting the lift.
- Stay or keep others clear of the swing zone.
- Ensure equipment has been inspected as per manufacturer’s recommendations. Inspect lifting equipment and rigging before the lift.
- Follow the Lift Chart and do not exceed the equipment’s limitations
- If so equipped, deploy outriggers before lifting. Use outrigger pads or rig mats to support outriggers on soft or disturbed surfaces.
- Use a tagline to control the load.
- Monitor and respect the safe limits of approach to overhead powerlines.
- If a signal person is needed, only the designated signal person will direct the operator.
- Ensure loads are properly secured and balanced before lifting
Do not
- Walk or stand under a suspended load.
- Enter the control zone without the operator’s permission.
- Don’t touch the rigging once the load is being lifted.
- Don’t move a suspended load by hand (use a tag line).
- Operate any machine you do not have proper training for.
- Place yourself in the swing zone.
- Lift a load over people, vehicles or occupied homes.
|
