What is checked during a lifting operation?
Before a load is lifted even one inch, the most important decision of the entire operation has already been made:
whether that lift will be safe… or whether something can go wrong.
Most lifting accidents do not happen because equipment fails, but because proper inspections were not done before the operation started.
And here is the key question every professional must be able to answer:
What is actually checked in a safe lifting operation?
In this article, I explain it step by step, without unnecessary jargon, based on real field experience and solid technical criteria.
Why Is It So Important to Inspect a Lift?
A lifting operation is a task where gravity works against you.
There is no room for improvisation.
A proper inspection:
- Prevents load drops
- Avoids serious or fatal injuries
- Protects equipment and structures
- Ensures operational continuity
- Complies with safety regulations
If something fails during a lift, there is no second chance.
- Load Inspection: The Starting Point
Everything begins with the load.
What must be checked on the load?
- Actual weight (not estimated or guessed)
- Center of gravity
- Shape and dimensions
- Available lifting points
- Structural condition of the load
Common mistake: using the theoretical weight from drawings and ignoring moisture, residues, attachments, or modifications.
If you do not know the real weight, you should not lift.
- Lifting Equipment Inspection
This is where overconfidence often causes failure.
Equipment that must be inspected:
- Overhead crane, mobile crane, or lifting device
- Rated capacity of the equipment
- Load charts
- Safety and limiting systems
- General condition and maintenance status
Key question:
Does the equipment have enough capacity, considering the actual radius, angle, and configuration?
Lifting should never be done at the limit.
In lifting operations, a safety margin is mandatory.
- Inspection of Lifting Accessories
This is where the lift either succeeds… or the load falls.
Accessories to inspect:
- Slings (synthetic, wire rope, or chain)
- Shackles
- Hooks
- Hoists and chain blocks
- Pulleys
- Connecting hardware
What specifically must be checked?
- Working Load Limit (WLL)
- Legible tags or markings
- Cuts, wear, or deformation
- Corrosion
- Compatibility between components
A sling without a tag must not be used.
A deformed shackle must be removed from service.
- Lifting Angle Inspection
This is a critical point that is often ignored.
Why do angles matter?
Because the greater the angle, the higher the tension on the sling.
A wrong angle can:
- Double the actual load
- Exceed the accessory capacity
- Cause immediate failure
👉 It’s not just about lifting—it’s about how you lift.
Angles must be:
- Calculated
- Within safe limits
- Appropriate for the sling type
- Anchor and Suspension Point Inspection
Every lift is only as safe as its weakest point.
The following must be checked:
- Strength of the anchor point
- Certification
- Proper alignment
- Absence of sharp edges
- System stability
Lifting points must never be improvised.
Loads must never be hung from structures not designed for lifting.
- Work Environment Inspection
A lift does not happen in isolation.
Environmental factors to check:
- Personnel in the area
- Obstructions or interferences
- Vehicle traffic
- Wind conditions
- Lighting
- Ground or support surface
📌 If wind conditions are unsafe, the lift is stopped.
📌 If people are under the load, the lift does not begin.
- Personnel Inspection
A poorly coordinated team is a serious risk.
Ensure that:
- The rigger is qualified
- The signal person is authorized and visible
- The operator understands the lift
- Everyone knows the lifting plan
A safe lift is not shouted—it is communicated using clear, agreed-upon signals.
- Lift Plan Review
For critical lifts, a plan is not optional.
A proper lift plan includes:
- Description of the operation
- Load weight and center of gravity
- Equipment and accessories
- Roles and responsibilities
- Identified risks and controls
- Step-by-step procedure
A lift plan prevents rushed decisions under pressure.
- Final Check Before Lifting
Before lifting:
- Slowly take tension on the load
- Observe load behavior
- Verify balance
- Listen for abnormal noises or deformation
If something does not look right… lower the load.
There is no such thing as “it’s already up, keep going.”
Serious Mistakes That Keep Repeating in Lifting Operations
After years in the field, these errors are still common:
- Not checking tags and markings
- Overloading slings due to poor angles
- Using unqualified personnel
- Improvising lifting points
- Rushing due to operational pressure
In lifting operations, rushing equals risk.
Conclusion: A Safe Lift Is Inspected, Not Assumed
Now you know.
When someone asks what is checked during a lifting operation, the answer is clear:
Everything that, if it fails, could cause an accident is checked.
A true professional is not defined by how much they lift,
but by how they lift—and how many times they go home safe.
Safety does not slow the job down.
It prevents the job from ending badly.