LFT/General/TBT-LFT-011

Lift Plan Requirements

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Lift Plan Requirements

Toolbox Talk Record

Ref: TBT-LFT-011  |  Issue: 1  |  Date: March 2026
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What?

  • LOLER 1998 Regulation 8 requires every lifting operation to be properly planned by a competent person.
  • A lift plan sets out how the lift will be carried out safely from start to finish.
  • The plan must identify the load weight, dimensions, centre of gravity, and any lifting restrictions.
  • Crane selection must match the load, radius, ground conditions, and any environmental constraints.
  • The lift plan specifies lifting accessories, sling angles, attachment points, and rigging arrangements.
  • Exclusion zones must be defined in the plan and enforced with barriers and banksmen on the ground.
  • Hazards such as overhead power lines, underground services, and adjacent structures must be addressed.
  • Routine lifts can use a generic lift plan, but complex or critical lifts need a specific engineered plan.
  • The appointed person is responsible for producing the plan; the lift supervisor implements it on site.
  • All personnel involved must be briefed on the lift plan before the lifting operation begins.

Why?

Prevent dropped loadsUnplanned lifts are the primary cause of dropped loads, crane overturns, and fatal crushing incidents on site.
Legal requirementLOLER 1998 makes it a legal duty to plan every lifting operation. Failure to comply leads to enforcement action.
Clear communicationThe lift plan ensures every person involved understands their role, the sequence, and the safety measures in place.
Do Don't
  • Appoint a competent person to produce the lift plan before each operation.
  • Verify the exact weight of every load before selecting the crane and accessories.
  • Define exclusion zones in the plan and enforce them with barriers on site.
  • Check crane capacity charts against the actual lift radius and load weight.
  • Specify the correct lifting accessories, sling configuration, and attachment points.
  • Address hazards including power lines, services, and adjacent structures in the plan.
  • Brief all lifting team members on the plan before the lift commences.
  • Produce a specific engineered plan for tandem, blind, or critical lifts.
  • Record the lift plan and retain it as part of the project safety records.
  • Review and update the plan if conditions change before or during the lift.
  • DON'T proceed with any lift without a documented lift plan in place.
  • DON'T estimate load weights; verify them from manufacturer data or weighing.
  • DON'T ignore overhead power lines or underground services in your lift plan.
  • DON'T use a generic plan for complex, tandem, or critical lifting operations.
  • DON'T allow lifting without briefing all team members on the plan first.
  • DON'T exceed the crane capacity at the planned radius under any circumstances.
  • DON'T omit exclusion zones from the plan; they protect people on the ground.
  • DON'T assume the appointed person and lift supervisor are the same role.
  • DON'T continue a lift if conditions change from those assumed in the plan.
  • DON'T delegate lift planning to someone who is not competent under LOLER.

See also: Lifting Operations Awareness (LOLER) | Exclusion Zones During Lifting
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