CITB-ConstructionSkills Tool Box Talk
No. 37 Lifting equipment and operations
Prepare Location? Distractions? Talk aids?
Reason Lifting must be carried out in a safe manner.
Why Unsafe lifting practices result in many accidents and injuries, including some fatalities, each
year.
Outline This talk will cover the procedures to follow to ensure that lifting operations are carried out in
a safe manner.
Types of lifting equipment
1. Lifting equipment includes items of plant, such as forklift trucks and telescopic handlers, all mobile
elevating work platforms and cranes, electric hoists, goods hoists, gin wheels, etc.
General precautions
1. Risk assessments must be prepared for all lifting operations.
2. All lifting equipment must be marked with its safe working load (SWL).
3. Lifting equipment must not be used to move loads heavier than the marked SWL.
4. Lifting equipment must only be used by people who have been trained to do so.
5. Never stand under a suspended load.
6. Look for overhead obstructions such as power cables.
7. Ensure that lifting equipment has no obvious defects before using it.
Q: What restriction is there on a load to be lifted by lifting equipment?
Q: Who is allowed to operate items of lifting equipment?
Forklift trucks and telescopic handlers
1. Travel with the load in the lowest position and don’t raise it whilst travelling.
2. Ensure the load is stable and secure.
3. Do not carry passengers unless a passenger seat is fitted.
4. Do not use to lift people unless suitably adapted.
Q: How should the load be carried when travelling up a slope?
Cranes
1. Use cranes to lift and lower loads vertically, don’t drag loads.
2. At least one trained signaller (banksman) must supervise lifting operations.
3. It may be necessary to attach tag lines to the load to stabilise it when lifted.
4. Beware of changing weather conditions or wind speed making lifting operations unsafe.
Q: What checks would you carry out before use?
Mobile elevating work platforms
1. Use only on firm, level ground.
2. Use outriggers or stabilisers where necessary.
3. Except for scissor lifts, users should wear a safety harness clipped to the correct anchorage point
on the machine.
Do you have any questions for me?
Further information
• GE 700 Construction Site Safety – Module D3
• HSE – INDG290 Simple guide to The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
• HSE – L113 Safe use of lifting equipment
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN
SHORT TRAINING SESSION ATTENDANCE SHEET
Title: Tool Box Talk No. 37
Lifting equipment and operations Date ......................................................................
Location ................................................................. Start time .............................................................
Duration (minutes) ................................................ End time ..............................................................
Presenter’s name Presenter’s signature
................................................................................. ..............................................................................
Candidate’s name Name of candidate’s employer Candidate’s signature
Grant claim information
Note: Claims can only be made for your employees or labour-only subcontractors
No. attended Duration Total time Employer reference
