Toolbox Talk: Lifting and slinging

Lifting and slinging (also known as load lifting and rigging) comes with known dangers which can lead to serious injury or death.

Introduction

Lifting and slinging (also known as load lifting and rigging) comes with known dangers which can lead to serious injury or death.

Some of these include:

Failure of equipment.
Failure of slinging methods, leading to dropped, or unstable loads.
Swinging loads contacting overhead hazards or other structures and plant.
Failure of supporting structures like bridges and suspended slabs.
Lack of ground bearing capacity.
Poorly trained or unsupervised workers.

Lifting equipment can include:

Lifting chains, wire ropes, slings, chain blocks, winches, jacks, and equalizing gear.
Eyebolts, shackles, lifting clutches.
Spreader & lifting beams, lifting frames.
A crane (tower, mobile or crawler).
Vehicle mounted lifting systems and equipment; telehandlers fitted with jibs.
Crane hoisted material cages and man cages.

IDENTIFY the best way to lift the load

Lifting and slinging must always be planned. There are multiple ways to rig and lift loads. These include using cranes or other load handling devices. You must first consider:

Environmental conditions (wind speeds, ground bearing etc).
Overhead and below ground hazards such as power lines and sewer lines etc.
The destination of the load and working radius for the crane.
Visibility of operator/dogman, line of sight, communication methods.
Locations of structures, plant, roads, public and other work groups.
Counterweight swing area.
The shape, size and weight of the load, the working load limit of the equipment being used - is it adequate for the task?

Other things to think about

Is the lift a simple or complex lift?
Do you have a completed lift plan?
Does the load have certified lifting points? If not is the rigging arrangement suitable?
Will the load swing or fall when lifted?
What is the position of bights or reeves?
Is the lifting equipment free from damage and fit for purpose?
Do the slings need protection from sharp edges or bends?
Can the load flex, bend, or collapse?
Where will you attach the tag line?

ASSESS the condition of slings and other equipment

Ensure the slings being used are fit for purpose - the majority of accidents associated with lifting equipment are caused by poor rigging, such as overloading or an unbalanced load which ends in the load falling or tipping out of control.

Some key things to remember:

Slings must be suitable for the load and in good condition. check for tears, burns, knots or chemical damage to soft slings or excessive wear, corrosion, cracks, bends or stretching on links, catches and ‘O’ rings for chain slings, etc. before use.
Check that the slings have been inspected and have not been modified from their original form without re-certification.
Check that the working load limit is clearly marked on the slings along with a unique identifying number.
The rigging of the load to the crane or lifting device should be secure, balanced and stable, you can conduct a test lift to check.
No part of the sling should be overloaded.
Slings should not be shortened with knots, bolts or makeshift devices, nor should they be twisted.
Don’t overcrowd crane hooks, keep the weight of the load in the bowl of the hook.
Don’t hammer down choke hitches.

MANAGE communication with everyone on site

Only trained and competent people should supervise and carry out lifting and slinging work. Have a pre-start meeting to go over the lift plan, everybody should know what to do before lifting starts.

It is important there is an exclusion zone marked out surrounding the operating and lifting area.

Visual and audible alarms are also a good way to warn people to clear the area prior to the start of the lift.

Under no circumstances should anyone pass or stand underneath a load.

Those carrying out the lifting and slinging operations must consider how they can communicate effectively with each other. Using radios and hand signals to communicate is common practice -radios are particularly useful where the load is not visible to the operator at all times.

However, you must first assess the risk of carrying out blind crane operations and implement effective controls. A dedicated crane channel should be used in these circumstances. Standard hand signals should be given by only one designated person (the Dogman).