Lift Planning and Critical Lift Procedures Flashcards

What is the standard definition of a critical lift under ASME B30.5 and industry practice?

Answer: A lift that exceeds 75% of the crane's rated capacity, involves multiple cranes, or poses unusual hazards requiring a written lift plan

A critical lift is typically defined as a lift exceeding 75% of the rated capacity, involving multiple cranes, or presenting unusual hazards. These lifts require a formal written lift plan reviewed by a qualified person.

A lift plan indicates that the crane will be operating at 92% of its rated capacity. What additional precautions are typically required at this capacity level?

Answer: Supervisor approval, all personnel cleared from the load path, test lift performed to verify rigging, and enhanced monitoring throughout the lift

Lifts above 75-90% of rated capacity are critical lifts requiring formal approval, load path clearance, a test pick to verify rigging and ground conditions, and continuous monitoring to address the reduced safety margin.

What information must a lift plan include regarding the crane's rated capacity?

Answer: The crane's rated capacity at the specific boom length, radius, and configuration to be used, and the percentage of rated capacity represented by the planned load

A lift plan must specify the rated capacity for the exact configuration to be used (boom length, radius, counterweight, outrigger status) and express the planned load as a percentage of that rated capacity to document the safety margin.

During a pre-lift meeting, the lift director discovers that the actual rigging hardware selected is heavier than estimated in the lift plan, increasing the total lifted weight by 8%. What should happen next?

Answer: Recalculate the total lifted weight, check the percentage of rated capacity, and update the lift plan before proceeding

Any change to the lifted weight requires the lift plan to be recalculated and updated. The new total must be verified against the rated capacity to ensure the lift remains within limits and the critical lift threshold has not been crossed.

What is the purpose of a test pick or proof pick at the beginning of a critical lift?

Answer: To verify rigging integrity, crane stability, and ground conditions at actual load weight before committing to the full lift

A test pick involves lifting the load 1-2 feet off the ground and holding it briefly to verify that the rigging is properly balanced, the crane is stable, the ground conditions are adequate, and the load matches the lift plan weight.

A lift plan for a tandem (two-crane) lift shows each crane at 45% of its rated capacity. Why is a tandem lift still considered a critical lift despite each crane being well below capacity?

Answer: Tandem lifts introduce load-sharing uncertainties — load distribution between cranes can change dynamically, potentially overloading one crane unexpectedly

In tandem lifts, the load distribution between cranes changes as the lift geometry changes. A crane that starts at 45% can be subjected to significantly more load if the geometry shifts, making the operation inherently complex and requiring detailed planning.