Risk Assessment for Lifting Operations on Irish Construction Sites

Lifting operations involving cranes, telehandlers, and other lifting equipment are a significant cause of serious injury and death on Irish construction sites.

Why Lifting Operations Require Careful Risk Assessment

Lifting operations on Irish construction sites involve significant risks. A load that falls from height can kill workers below. A crane that overturns can cause catastrophic damage. A sling that fails can drop a load onto workers or plant. The consequences of a failure during a lifting operation are almost always serious, and frequently fatal.

The risks associated with lifting operations are well understood, and the controls required are clearly established in Irish law and industry guidance. Despite this, lifting operation failures continue to occur on Irish construction sites, often because the risk assessment is inadequate, the lifting plan is not followed, or the persons involved in the lift are not competent.

The Legal Framework

Lifting operations on Irish construction sites are governed by Part 2 Chapter 2 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (Use of Work Equipment), and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2012, which introduced specific requirements for lifting equipment. The Construction Regulations 2013 also contain provisions relating to the safe use of plant and equipment on construction sites.

The General Application Regulations require that lifting equipment is of adequate strength and stability, is marked with its safe working load, is installed and positioned to minimise the risk of the load striking persons or drifting into unintended areas, and is inspected by a competent person at regular intervals. Thorough examinations of lifting equipment must be carried out at the intervals specified in the Regulations and the results recorded.

Planning the Lifting Operation

Every lifting operation must be planned by a competent person. For routine, repetitive lifts using the same equipment and the same loads, a generic lifting plan may be appropriate. For complex, non-routine, or high-risk lifts, a specific lifting plan must be prepared for each individual lift. The lifting plan must be communicated to all persons involved in the lift before it takes place.

The lifting plan must address the following key elements:

The load. The weight and dimensions of the load must be known before the lift takes place. The centre of gravity of the load must be identified, and the attachment points must be suitable for the load. Where the weight of the load is not known, it must be established before the lift begins.

The lifting equipment. The crane, telehandler, or other lifting equipment must have a safe working load that is sufficient for the load to be lifted, including the weight of the lifting accessories. The equipment must have been inspected and found to be in a safe condition. The operator must be competent to operate the equipment.

The lifting accessories. Slings, shackles, hooks, and other lifting accessories must be of adequate strength for the load, must be in good condition, and must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Lifting accessories must be inspected before each use and must be taken out of service if they are damaged or defective.

The ground conditions. The ground conditions at the location of the lifting equipment must be assessed to ensure that the equipment will be stable during the lift. Where the ground is soft or uneven, outrigger pads or other measures may be required to distribute the load and prevent the equipment from sinking or overturning.

The exclusion zone. An exclusion zone must be established around the lifting operation to prevent persons from entering the area where the load could fall if the lift fails. The size of the exclusion zone must be sufficient to protect persons from the load and from any components of the lifting equipment that could fail.

Overhead hazards. The route of the load must be assessed for overhead hazards, including overhead power lines, other structures, and other plant. The load must not be lifted over persons, and the route must be planned to avoid overhead hazards where possible.

Competency Requirements

All persons involved in a lifting operation must be competent for their role. The crane operator or telehandler operator must hold the relevant CSCS card or equivalent competency certification. The slinger/signaller who attaches the load and directs the lift must be trained and competent. The appointed person who plans the lift must have the knowledge and experience to plan lifting operations safely.

Conclusion

A risk assessment for lifting operations must address the load, the lifting equipment, the lifting accessories, the ground conditions, the exclusion zone, and the overhead hazards. The lifting plan must be communicated to all persons involved before the lift takes place, and all persons must be competent for their role. Lifting operations that are properly planned and executed by competent persons are safe. Those that are not are a significant cause of serious injury and death on Irish construction sites.