A safe lifting operation does not begin when the crane starts lifting the load.

It begins much earlier.

Before a single ton is moved, the team must know exactly what is being lifted, how much it weighs, how it will be rigged, what equipment will be used, and what hazards exist around the operation.

One incorrect piece of information can completely change the way a lift must be performed.

That is why every professional involved in lifting operations should know the answer to one fundamental question:

How do you properly create a lifting procedure?

The answer begins with planning. A well-developed lifting procedure allows the team to identify hazards in advance and establish, step by step, how the operation will be performed before the load ever leaves the ground.

What Is a Lifting Procedure?

A lifting procedure is a document or set of instructions that explains how a lifting operation should be performed safely and under control.

It typically defines:

• The load being lifted.
• The weight and dimensions of the load.
• The lifting equipment to be used.
• The required rigging equipment.
• The rigging method.
• Equipment positioning.
• The load travel path.
• Potential hazards.
• Each worker’s responsibilities.
• Required safety measures.

The goal is to make sure everyone involved understands what will be done, how it will be done, and who is responsible for each task.

Why Is a Lifting Procedure Important?

A suspended load can create significant forces on the equipment, rigging, and structures involved in the operation.

That is why improvisation is never a safe strategy.

A lifting procedure helps the team:

• Identify hazards before the operation begins.
• Select the correct equipment.
• Determine the appropriate lifting method.
• Coordinate the rigger, signal person, and operator.
• Control the work area.
• Establish the sequence of operations.
• Prepare for unexpected situations.

Proper planning turns a complex lifting operation into a series of steps that can be reviewed and controlled.

Step 1: Identify the Load

The first step is to know exactly what will be lifted.

At a minimum, determine:

• Load weight.
• Length, width, and height.
• Center of gravity.
• Lifting points.
• Load shape.
• Load condition and stability.

The weight should be based on reliable information such as technical documentation, engineering drawings, identification plates, or manufacturer data.

Never assume the weight of a load based solely on how it looks.

Step 2: Determine the Center of Gravity

The center of gravity is one of the most important factors in any lifting procedure.

If the connection points are not correctly positioned in relation to the center of gravity, the load may tilt or rotate as it leaves the ground.

This can create unexpected movement and increase the forces acting on the rigging components.

Before lifting, the team must understand how the load will behave once it is suspended.

Step 3: Select the Lifting Equipment

The next step is determining what lifting equipment will be used.

Depending on the operation, this may include:

• Mobile cranes.
• Overhead cranes.
• Tower cranes.
• Hoists.
• Chain falls.
• Pulley systems.
• Other equipment specifically designed for lifting.

Equipment selection must consider more than the load weight. Factors such as lifting height, operating radius, equipment configuration, ground conditions, and the actual site environment must also be evaluated.

The equipment’s rated capacity must be appropriate for the actual conditions of the lift.

Step 4: Select the Rigging Equipment

Rigging equipment connects the load to the lifting equipment.

Common components include:

• Synthetic web slings.
• Chain slings.
• Wire rope slings.
• Shackles.
• Hooks.
• Spreader bars or lifting beams.
• Lifting eyes and designated lifting points.
• Pulleys.

Every component must be compatible with the load and have an appropriate rated capacity for the configuration being used.

Its identification, condition, and inspection status must also be verified before the lift begins.

Step 5: Evaluate Sling Angles

This point deserves special attention.

In a two-leg or multi-leg sling configuration, the sling angle can significantly affect the forces acting on each component.

As the angle becomes smaller relative to the horizontal, the tension in the sling legs increases.

Therefore, knowing the rated capacity of an individual sling is not enough.

The complete rigging configuration must be evaluated.

Step 6: Evaluate the Lifting Area

The surrounding environment is also part of the lifting procedure.

Before the operation begins, identify:

• Ground conditions.
• Obstacles.
• Nearby structures.
• Overhead power lines.
• Vehicle traffic.
• Personnel in the area.
• Environmental conditions.
• Available maneuvering space.

For a mobile crane, for example, ground conditions and proper site preparation can be critical to equipment stability.

Step 7: Define the Load Travel Path

The procedure should establish the path the load will follow.

Analyze:

Pick-up point → travel path → set-down point.

During this analysis, identify potential obstacles and areas where the load could come into contact with structures, equipment, or other objects.

Whenever possible, the travel path should be clear, controlled, and free of personnel.

Step 8: Establish an Exclusion Zone

One of the most important rules during a lifting operation is keeping people away from suspended loads.

The procedure should define an exclusion zone appropriate to the hazards and conditions of the lift.

This area should be clearly marked and controlled so unauthorized personnel cannot enter during the operation.

No one should ever be allowed to stand beneath a suspended load.

Step 9: Define Team Responsibilities

A lifting operation requires coordination.

The procedure should clearly establish who is responsible for each task.

Rigger

Prepares and connects the load using the appropriate rigging equipment.

Crane Operator

Operates the lifting equipment and performs the required movements.

Signal Person

Provides instructions to the operator using established hand signals or radio communication.

Lift Supervisor

Ensures the operation is performed according to the procedure and established conditions.

When responsibilities are clearly defined, the risk of confusion during the lift is greatly reduced.

Step 10: Establish the Sequence of Operations

The procedure should explain what will happen from beginning to end.

A typical sequence may include:

1. Inspecting the work area.
2. Positioning the lifting equipment.
3. Inspecting the rigging equipment.
4. Connecting the load.
5. Verifying the rigging system.
6. Applying initial tension.
7. Performing a test lift.
8. Raising the load.
9. Moving the load.
10. Positioning the load.
11. Setting the load down.
12. Removing the rigging equipment.

The exact sequence will depend on the type of lifting operation and the hazards involved.

Step 11: Perform a Test Lift

Before fully raising the load, a short test lift should be performed.

This allows the team to verify:

• Load balance.
• Stability.
• Sling behavior.
• Center-of-gravity position.
• Proper connection of all rigging components.

If the load tilts or behaves unexpectedly, it should be lowered and the rigging configuration corrected before continuing.

Step 12: Establish Emergency Procedures

A good lifting procedure does not only explain what to do when everything goes according to plan.

It must also consider what should happen if something unexpected occurs.

For example:

• Loss of communication.
• Unexpected load movement.
• Damaged rigging equipment.
• Changing environmental conditions.
• Obstruction along the travel path.
• Equipment malfunction.

Everyone involved should understand when the operation must be stopped.

One fundamental rule is simple:

If conditions are no longer safe, stop the lift.

What Should a Lifting Procedure Include?

Although the exact requirements may vary depending on the type and complexity of the operation, a lifting procedure may include:

• Description of the lifting operation.
• Load identification.
• Weight and dimensions.
• Center of gravity.
• Lifting equipment.
• Rigging equipment.
• Sling configuration.
• Equipment capacities.
• Lift plan or rigging diagram.
• Load travel path.
• Exclusion zone.
• Personnel involved.
• Communication methods.
• Identified hazards.
• Control measures.
• Work sequence.
• Emergency response plan.

For complex or high-risk lifts, the level of detail, review, and approval should increase accordingly.

Common Mistakes When Preparing a Lifting Procedure

A lifting procedure loses its value when it becomes nothing more than a document that no one actually reviews.

Common mistakes include:

• Copying an old procedure without evaluating the current operation.
• Failing to verify the actual load weight.
• Ignoring the center of gravity.
• Failing to consider sling angles.
• Using unidentified or uninspected rigging equipment.
• Ignoring ground conditions.
• Failing to analyze the load travel path.
• Not establishing an exclusion zone.
• Failing to assign responsibilities.
• Not updating the procedure when conditions change.

The procedure must represent the actual lift being performed, not an imaginary or generic operation.

Conclusion: A Safe Lift Begins on Paper, but It Is Proven in the Field

Now you know how to create a lifting procedure.

It is not simply about writing down a list of steps.

A good lifting procedure allows the team to analyze the load, select the right equipment, identify hazards, define responsibilities, and establish how every stage of the operation will be performed.

A crane may have tremendous lifting capacity. A sling may be extremely strong. But if the operation is not properly planned, no piece of equipment can compensate for a poor decision.

Before lifting a load, stop and ask:

Do we know its actual weight? Do we know where its center of gravity is? Do we have the right equipment? Do we understand the travel path? Does everyone know what they are responsible for?