Prepared by:
Ian Humphrey, P. Eng.
Paul Henderson, P. Eng.
The Knack
Background Information
Began my career in the lifting industry in
1994 as a draftsman and returned to
school to graduate from the University of
Alberta as a Civil Engineer in 1999.
 Since that time I have worked as a Rigging
and Transportation Engineer servicing the
heavy lift and heavy haul industry in
Western Canada.
 In 2007, I co-founded 2H Engineering, a
firm specializing in engineered rigging,
lifting, and transportation plans.
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Introduction
This presentation will identify some
common criteria for defining a critical lift.
 There are several reasons that lifts are
categorized as critical and one method
to mitigate risk is through the use of an
engineered lift plans.
 This session will address components
that should be included in lift plans and
the advantages to critical lift planning.
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Definition of Critical Lift
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Lifts in congested areas where power lines, structures, and obstructions are
present.
Lifts where ground is poor and potentially unstable.
Lifts with potentially unstable loads (ie offset center of gravity, uneven lift
points).
Lifts using multiple cranes.
Lifts over a defined percentage of crane capacity, often 75%.
Lifts with difficult rigging arrangements.
Lifting equipment that is irreplaceable, monetary value is high, or hazardous.
Lifts where the load cannot be seen by the operator (blind lift).
Lifts where the load is transferred between cranes (ie tailing a vessel to
vertical).
Lifting personnel with a crane (ie manbasket).
End users have different criteria for a critical lift and therefore we need to be
flexible in the definition, although there is often common ground when defining.
Ref: www.plantservices.com
My Critical Lift
Critical Lifts by Definition
The Law in Alberta
See excerpt below from the Alberta OH&S
(2009) Code.
 It is now law in Alberta to produce lift
calculations for loads exceeding 75%. This
is one important component of the critical
lift plan.
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Ref: Alberta OH&S 2009
Sample Lift
Calculation from
Alberta OH&S for
Mobile Cranes
Ref: Alberta OH&S 2009
Sample Lift Calculation from
Alberta OH&S for Overhead
Cranes
Ref: Alberta OH&S 2009
Critical Lift Plan
Critical lift plans should be prepared by the
personnel completing the work, this
includes the supervisor, crane operator, or
rigger. This is often done thru a critical lift
form.
 It is key that all field personnel completing
the work be involved in the plan (ie pre-lift
meeting).
 The next few slides will show a couple of
sample critical lift planning forms, used by
site personnel to document the lift.
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Critical Lift
Form
Sample 1
Ref: Iron Ore Company of Canada
www.ironore.ca
Critical Lift
Form
Sample 2
Ref: Work Place BC
www.worksafebc.com
Mitigate Risk on Critical Lifts
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Ways to mitigate risk:
 All critical lifts should be documented by a critical lift form
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or an engineered lift plan.
Key personnel involved in the lift (ie crane operator,
supervisor) should review and approve the
documentation.
More than one person to approve lift plan.
Some owners will have a third party review of the
engineered lift plan.
Pre lift meeting prior to hoisting.
Trial lift or dry run to ensure clearances and radii are
acceptable (no load on the hook block).
Ensure all crane and rigging inspections are up to date
and documented.
All crane mechanics and functions are properly working
(ie anti-two block, LMI)
Engineered Lift Plan
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An engineered lift plan may be required due to
the complexity of the lift. These plans shall be
prepared by a qualified engineer with suitable
experience.
The engineered lift plan should always be
reviewed and approved by the field personnel.
Five basic areas on an engineered lift plan:
1) Plan view (Crane placement details)
2) Elevation view (boom clearance details)
3) Rigging Details
4) Lift Chart Details
5) Lift Procedure
Sample Engineered Lift Plan
1) Plan View
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Plan view should contain the following
information:
 X, Y dimensions for placement of the crane
 Initial lift & final set position of equipment
 Footprint of the crane identifying orientation and
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size of load spreading mats
North arrow
Swing path (if complicated)
Surrounding obstructions
Tailswing to show area required for crane
Maximum lift radius
Minimum lift radius (if required)
Sample Plan View
2) Elevation View
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Elevation view should contain the following
information:
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View of the crane lifting at maximum radius
View of the crane lifting at minimum radius
Maximum equipment height to be lifted
Surrounding obstructions
Boom clearance to load and adjacent equipment
Worst case clearance with load or specify that
the load cannot be swung under boom
 Headroom, distance between hook block and
boom tip sheaves, otherwise known as anti-two
block
Sample
Elevation View
3) Rigging Details
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Rigging can be one of the more critical elements on
a lift study.
Rigging page should contain:
 Sling lengths and WLL for synthetic and wire rope
 Identify position of lifting attachments (ie lugs, trunnions,
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basket hitch, choker hitch)
Sling angles
Spreader bar length and capacity
Size of hook block and required parts of line
Total weight of all rigging
Identify specific uses on rigging components (ie sling
saver shackles on round slings)
Note the load distribution for the rigging / cranes if
required
Sample Rigging Details
4) Load Chart (Part A)
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Load chart shall contain:
 Configuration of the crane(s)
○ Boom length and sequence
○ Jib length and offset angle
○ All counter weights (ie super lift, central, track)
○ Lift radius
○ Crane capacity
○ Outrigger or track spacing
Sample Load Chart (Part A)
4) Load Chart (Part B)
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Load chart shall contain:
 Load information and crane deductions
○ Weight of load
○ Weight of main hook block
○ Weight of aux block (if installed)
○ Weight of aux head (if installed)
○ Weight of rigging
○ Weight of load line
○ Weight of stowed or erected jib
○ Weight of misc stowed attachments (ie jib lines on
Demag crawler, TA or TY bracket on a Liebherr all
terrain)
Sample Load Chart (Part B)
4) Load Chart (Part C)
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Load chart shall contain:
 Percentage of crane capacity factoring in
weight of load and deductions.
 Ground bearing pressure (GBP) under the
outriggers and tracks of crane.
 Identify the GBP under the mats or pads and
specify sizes.
 General notes for the engineered lift plan
that specify assumptions and identify
limitations. It is important for all parties to be
aware of the notes.
Sample Load Chart (Part C)
Sample Load Chart (Part C)
5) Lift Procedure
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All engineered lift plans should contain a
lift procedure to clarify execution of the
lift.
 Some procedures can be very simple and
straight forward, but can be very detailed if
required (often due to space restrictions).
 Procedures are helpful when placed with the
plan view since they complement each other
(ie procedure puts in writing what the plan
view illustrates).
Sample Lift Procedure
Engineering Lift Plan – Additional
Information
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Additional information may be required
due to complexity of the lift.
 Provide weight distribution for two crane lifts.
 Details for specialized rigging to be shown
(ie tailing frames, snatch blocks, lift links).
 Identifying items that need to be removed on
the equipment for safe lifting (ie platforms).
 Any load transfer between cranes (ie tailing
vessel to vertical).
Engineering Lift Plan – Additional
Information
Supplemental Information not
Provided on Engineered Lift Plan
Lift plan should always be accompanied
with a field level risk assessment to
determine site specific hazards.
 Crane and rigging inspections should be
current and accessible for personnel
performing the lift.
 Operator and supervisor qualifications to
be accessible.
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Lift Deviation Form
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Lift deviations can be useful to approve minor
changes to the drawing in a timely manner, but you
need to make sure it is a viable alternative to revising
the drawing.
 When are they ok, when should the drawing be revised
instead? If your in doubt, it is better to revise the drawing.
 Lift deviation should be approved by all parties, same as
the engineered lift plan (operator, supervisor, engineer,
and owner).
 Sketches should be added, if required, to clarify changes.
Often, sketches will be less ambiguous than written
words.
 If the lift deviation causes confusion, it would be advisable
to revise the engineered lift plan instead.
Sample Lift
Deviation
Form
3D Vs 2D Lift Plans
Both 3D and 2D engineered lift plans
are suitable.
 There are some minor advantages and
disadvantages to both.
 The key to an engineered lift plan is
ensuring that all lift details are presented
in a clear and concise manner, this way
it avoids any confusion.
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Critical Lifts –Knowing When to
Stop
All work personnel have the
right to refuse any work
that is deemed unsafe, this
includes hoisting.
 If there are concerns it
might be advantageous to
reassess the methodology
or equipment utilized.
 Accidents often happen
when there are multiple
mistakes. If there is more
than one area that is
concerning to the group,
then it should be
reassessed to find a better
alternative.
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Engineered Lift Plan – Key to
Success
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Information given by the client can often be minimal. Ensure
most up to date information is supplied. Too much information is
generally better than not enough.
Field personnel to have input and approve final lift plan.
Client or end user to approve lift plan.
Drawing to be sealed by a qualified professional engineer.
Lift plans should be completed numerous days in advance to
allow for proper planning.
Engineered drawings and critical lift forms are great planning
tools, but the operator and supervisor must always be aware of
other hazard during the lift, items that may not have been
identified in the planning process.
Lift drawings should provide all the necessary information
required for execution in a clear and concise manner (as stated
earlier in presentation).
Follow all local, provincial, and national codes on cranes and
rigging.
Engineered Lift Plan - Conclusion
There is inherent risk when using cranes
and the use of critical lift forms and
engineered lift plans are an excellent
way to document and mitigate risks
associated with these lifts.
 For critical lifts to be completed
successfully all parties need to be
involved in the critical planning, and
work together to meet the common end
goal of a safe, incident free lift.
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Critical Lifts
Questions?
 Clarifications?
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