Method Statement for General Lifting

Scope / Objectives

This Method Statement for General Lifting (MSGL) must be used and described in the Pre-Task Briefing (“PTB-Tool Box Talks”).

Execution Statement

Any amendment to the (MSGL) must be noted and addressed in the Pre-Task Briefing (“PTB-Tool Box Talks”) meeting.
A copy of this (MSGL) must be kept either on-site or on the crane.
All personnel must be familiar with this document before proceeding any work.
Any risks identified as part of this (MSGL) must have appropriate and essential control methods identified before the commencement of lifting work.
All work will be done following proper procedures and in compliance with country/state’s lifting laws and other requirements. Before operating the crane, the operator will liaise with the principal contractor to make sure proper planning for the safe lifting operation.
Only crane operators with the relevant Workcover certificate or permits are permitted to operate the crane.
This Method Statement for General Lifting (MSGL) must be explained to all workforce/visitors involved in the work process, before commencing work.

Health & Safety Hazards

Before commencing any work, the team shall strictly follow as per the Manufacturer’s/ Client’s / Consultant’s Health & Safety recommendations for, lifting, handling and use of the materials and ensure all involved personnel shall be aware of the same.

The general safety guidelines are given below:

Ensure the work area is safe & clean.
All employees shall adopt safe working practices.
Safety equipment (Safety helmet, safety shoes, coveralls, gloves, goggles, face mask as applicable) to be worn at all times.
When working at a high level, the appropriate safety harness shall be used and secured whilst working-extra care shall be taken whilst using tools at a high level to prevent dropping.
Ensure sufficient lighting is available during all stages of installation & testing.
Report all accidents no matter how small to the Safety Officer on duty.
Ensure any electrical isolation permit is obtained if required, for installation any electrical equipment, panel, cable, wires and accessories.
All HSE inductions conducted
Equipment/machinery licenses, PTW’s Procedure, followed
Competencies and experiences are examined and reviewed.

Site Checks Before Operating

Position of the first aid station, who is the first aid officer and what first aid is available,
Examine for the safe access and egress of the crane from the worksite
Properly Check and observe where the crane is to be a position to pick up, swing and deposit the load
Essentially and appropriately double-check whether site personnel have been informed as to the dangers of working in the vicinity of any moving load and the crane,
Check for power lines and correct distance is kept following Procedures, and if necessary, a spotter is employed for assistance to the operator,
Check for the location of overhead service lines (e.g., Steam pipes) to ensure clear operation of the crane
Check for the location of Trees which may impact the lift,
Monitor and examine closely for Bridges which may have weight restriction or may impact the lift,
Observe Properly for the surrounding structures, including making allowance for rear-end swing,
Closely Monitor and examine for obstructions, particularly plinths or any obstruction to the safe positioning of crane’s outriggers,
Ensure that the operating radius is clear of passageways and any pedestrian area, and if not, ensure adequate traffic control measures are put in place,
Check for underground services, pipes, gas mains and tunnels or any weakness in the surface which will not sustain the combined weight of the crane, the load and any gear to be employed in the lifting process,
Check for recently filled trenches.

The Load

The correct weight of the load must be obtained by the operator before the lift. This may be done by weighbridge certificate, by engineers’ certificate, or correct calculation by a competent person,
The weight of the load and the gear must be calculated and checked with the relevant load chart to ensure safe operation at all operating radii,
The lifting it should be checked to ensure sufficient clearance if the load should drift,
The position of the crane for lifting to ensure that sufficient area is provided for outriggers or stabilizers to be adequately extended and packed,
If the Main or Sub-Contractor is unsure of the condition of the ground, a geo-tech certificate must be obtained to make sure safe operation of the crane, before the lift being started,
If the crane is to be set-up on a suspended slab, an engineer’s certificate must be obtained to ensure that the total weight of the crane, the load and any lifting gear employed can be supported, or that sufficient support will be provided to ensure safe operation before the lift being commenced,
The size of the load must be combined with the height to be lifted and the radius to ensure that the load will not become “boom-proud”.

The Safe Use of the Crane

The crane should not be used in inclement weather if such weather would make safe use impossible,
The wind must be taken into consideration to ensure that the load can be adequately controlled, and bulky loads, such as large pipes, swimming pools and trees will not overload or overturn the crane because of wind pressure,
The load must be kept as close/near to the ground if possible, at all times,
If tag lines are needed, they will be attached to the load an operated by competent people,
Traffic control plans will be put into place to ensure safe operation in traffic, and ensure that the load is not lifted over or near pedestrians, traffic or neighbours property
For the safety purpose, if necessary, the work area will be cordoned off, particularly the area of rear-end swing (counterweight)
Loads will be placed in such a way to make sure that the crane will not be “built-in”,
Loads will be raised and lowered vertically, no snigging is to be done, The crane will be kept level at all times when lifting loads to ensure that side-pull will not occur,
Sufficient turns of wire on the hook will be used to ensure that the load is properly supported following the load charts and crane specification,
Two crane lifts will be done following procedures and with one nominated person in charge (Rigger),
The crane must be checked daily following inspection procedures, and logbooks are kept following the standard,
If moving the crane while withholding the load is required, it will be done following as per the required Procedures and following the relevant load chart,
If moving the crane while withholding the load is needed in cranes where there are separate operator positions for the truck and the crane, both the truck section driver and the crane operator will hold the relevant licenses, experience and competency
If dogmen are required to work out of the direct line of sight, the dogmen must hold the relevant dogmen certificate,
If moving the crane while withholding the load is required, the load will be secured to the crane and a spotter used to make sure the operator is aware of all hazards,
If boom extension is needed, then the correct sequence of boom extension must be used,
The crane operator must not leave the crane driving station while the crane is under load,
To make Lifting operation safe, the crane will, at all times, be operated following manufacturers specification,
The crane operator will comply with procedures at all time while during lifting operation– Safe use of cranes,
Fly jib installation, if required, will only be carried out by qualified, experienced personnel, and erected following manufacturer’s specification, and correctly stowed at the end of the job for travel,
Only lifting gear that has passed certification and re-testing processes shall be used in the lift, and such gear must be used within their rated Safe Working Load rating, and following their design

Dismantling

A. When lifting operations are finished, the operator will leave the hooks clear of all obstructions,

B. The boom will be retracted and lowered safely, ensuring that the hook block(s) are raised in conjunction to ensure that the hooks do not foul any object,

C. When outriggers are out of sight, the operator will ensure that a lookout or observer will keep people away when retracting the outriggers,

D. Once the crane is secured, the operator will remove all equipment put in place for the control of traffic and pedestrians, and then move the crane to a safe area.