Lifting Planner Training Course

1. Introduction to Lifting Planning

1.1. Lifting Plan Purpose and Scope

• Lifting plan definition including (objectives, components, responsibilities)

• Plan hierarchy including (simple, standard, complex, critical)

• Planning benefits including (safety, efficiency, risk reduction)

• Industry applications including (construction, industrial, energy)

• Introduction to ASME P30.1 and ISO 12480 standards for lifting operations

1.2. Regulatory Framework

• International standards including (ISO, ASME, BS)

• Regional requirements including (Middle East regulations, local codes)

• Industry-specific standards including (oil and gas, construction)

• Compliance documentation including (records, approvals, certifications)

• Liability considerations including (responsibility, accountability, authority)

2. Lift Categorization

2.1. Lift Classification Criteria

• Routine lifts including (parameters, documentation requirements)

• Non-routine lifts including (complexity factors, planning depth)

• Critical lifts including (definition parameters, risk factors)

• Engineered lifts including (engineering approval, structural analysis)

• Classification methodology including (decision matrices, threshold values)

2.2. Risk-Based Classification

• Weight thresholds including (percentage of capacity, absolute values)

• Operational factors including (visibility, personnel exposure, value)

• Environmental considerations including (wind, temperature, location)

• Equipment limitations including (configuration, condition, capacity utilization)

• Organizational requirements including (client specifications, internal policies)

3. Risk Assessment for Lifting Operations

3.1. Hazard Identification

• Site hazards including (ground conditions, obstacles, structures)

• Overhead hazards including (power lines, buildings, other cranes)

• Load hazards including (weight, dimensions, stability, attachment points)

• Personnel hazards including (positioning, communication, competence)

• Environmental hazards including (weather, visibility, time constraints)

3.2. Risk Evaluation and Control

• Risk assessment methodologies including (matrices, numerical rating)

• Likelihood determination including (frequency, probability factors)

• Consequence evaluation including (severity, impact assessment)

• Control measure hierarchy including (elimination, engineering, administrative)

• Residual risk management including (acceptance criteria, monitoring)

4. Site Assessment

4.1. Ground Conditions

• Soil bearing capacity including (assessment methods, acceptable values)

• Underground hazards including (utilities, voids, structures)

• Surface conditions including (slopes, evenness, drainage)

• Support requirements including (mats, cribbing, distributed load systems)

• Testing methods including (plate bearing test, penetrometer)

4.2. Area Evaluation

• Space constraints including (working radius, tail swing)

• Access routes including (delivery paths, crane positioning)

• Proximity hazards including (structures, equipment, operations)

• Clearance verification including (swing path, boom clearance)

• Work zone establishment including (barriers, exclusion areas)

5. Crane Selection and Configuration

5.1. Crane Type Selection

• Mobile crane types including (all-terrain, rough-terrain, crawler)

• Tower crane considerations including (fixed, climbing, self-erecting)

• Overhead crane applications including (bridge, gantry, monorail)

• Specialty cranes including (floating, railway, pedestal)

• Selection criteria including (lift requirements, site constraints, availability)

5.2. Configuration Determination

• Boom length including (reach requirements, load chart optimization)

• Counterweight including (configuration options, chart requirements)

• Outrigger/track position including (fully extended, intermediate)

• Attachments including (jibs, fly sections, spreaders)

• Crane positioning including (optimal location, rotation requirements)

6. Load Analysis

6.1. Weight Determination

• Documentation methods including (manufacturer data, drawings, calculations)

• Weighing techniques including (load cells, scales, calculations)

• Component weight including (individual elements, assemblies)

• Contingency factors including (uncertainty, added weight allowance)

• Verification methods including (cross-checking, multiple sources)

6.2. Center of Gravity Determination

• Calculation methods including (simple shapes, complex assemblies)

• Testing techniques including (trial lift, indicators)

• Offset loads including (eccentric weight, uneven distribution)

• Documentation including (diagrams, dimensions, calculations)

• Verification procedures including (test lift, load reactions)

7. Lifting Equipment Selection

7.1. Lifting Accessories

• Sling selection including (material, configuration, capacity)

• Below-the-hook devices including (spreader beams, lifting frames)

• Shackles and hardware including (type, size, rating)

• Specialty rigging including (custom designs, engineered solutions)

• Selection criteria including (load characteristics, safety factors)

7.2. Equipment Certification

• Inspection requirements including (certification, pre-use verification)

• Documentation including (certificates, inspection records)

• Load testing including (proof testing, examination)

• Marking and identification including (SWL, traceability)

• Rejection criteria including (damage, wear, deformation)

8. Rigging Plan Development

8.1. Rigging Configuration

• Sling angle calculation including (tension factors, minimum angles)

• Multiple-leg arrangements including (load distribution, symmetry)

• Load stability including (balance points, securing methods)

• Rigging diagram including (connection points, hardware arrangement)

• Special considerations including (fragile materials, irregular shapes)

8.2. Load Control Methods

• Tag line requirements including (positioning, length, diameter)

• Load orientation control including (rotation prevention, alignment)

• Precision placement including (final positioning, clearance)

• Personnel positioning including (signal person, riggers, spotters)

• Communication methods including (signals, radio procedures)

9. Lift Calculation and Analysis

9.1. Capacity Verification

• Load chart interpretation including (configuration, radius, capacity)

• Duty cycle consideration including (dynamic factors, continuous operation)

• De-rating factors including (wind, temperature, slope)

• Multiple crane lifts including (load sharing, synchronization)

• Safety factor application including (industry standards, organizational policy)

9.2. Advanced Engineering Analysis

• Structural analysis including (stress calculation, load distribution)

• Dynamic analysis including (acceleration, braking, wind effects)

• Stability verification including (tipping moment, resistance moment)

• Software applications including (modeling, simulation)

• Engineering approval including (verification, signoff requirements)

10. Lift Plan Documentation

10.1. Plan Components

• Executive summary including (scope, critical factors, approvals)

• Risk assessment including (hazards, controls, residual risk)

• Equipment specifications including (crane data, rigging details)

• Drawings including (site plan, lift path, rigging diagram)

• Procedural steps including (sequence, responsibilities, hold points)

10.2. Supporting Documentation

• Load charts including (configuration-specific, radius marking)

• Inspection certificates including (crane, rigging, testing)

• Competency records including (personnel qualifications, authorizations)

• Checklists including (pre-lift verification, equipment inspection)

• Permit requirements including (work authorization, special conditions)

11. Personnel Requirements

11.1. Roles and Responsibilities

• Lift director including (authority, responsibilities, qualifications)

• Crane operator including (certification, experience, authority)

• Riggers including (qualification levels, specific duties)

• Signal person including (communication responsibility, positioning)

• Engineers including (plan review, technical approval)

11.2. Communication and Coordination

• Pre-lift briefing including (plan review, role clarification)

• Communication protocols including (standard signals, radio procedure)

• Authority hierarchy including (stop work authority, decision chain)

• Coordination with other activities including (simultaneous operations)

• Emergency communication including (alarms, evacuation, response)

12. Execution Planning

12.1. Operational Sequence

• Pre-lift preparation including (area clearing, equipment positioning)

• Step-by-step procedures including (detailed sequence, verification points)

• Critical phases including (initial lift, travel path, final placement)

• Hold points including (verification requirements, approval steps)

• Contingency triggers including (when to implement alternate plans)

12.2. Schedule Integration

• Timeline development including (preparation, execution, completion)

• Activity coordination including (prerequisites, dependencies)

• Resource scheduling including (equipment, personnel, support services)

• Weather windows including (forecasting, go/no-go criteria)

• Milestone tracking including (progress verification, completion criteria)

13. Contingency Planning

13.1. Emergency Scenarios

• Equipment failure including (mechanical, structural, control systems)

• Environmental changes including (sudden weather, visibility reduction)

• Load-related emergencies including (shifting, instability, connection failure)

• Personnel incidents including (injury response, evacuation)

• Operational stoppage including (hold criteria, delay management)

13.2. Contingency Measures

• Alternative methods including (equipment substitution, reconfiguration)

• Load securing including (emergency grounding, temporary support)

• Environmental protection including (wind breaks, shelter)

• Emergency response including (rescue procedures, medical support)

• Communication protocols including (notification chain, reporting)

14. Post-Lift Analysis

14.1. Performance Evaluation

• Plan effectiveness including (adherence, adequacy, completeness)

• Operational efficiency including (time, resources, optimization)

• Safety performance including (incidents, near misses, hazard control)

• Personnel performance including (competency, coordination, communication)

• Equipment performance including (suitability, reliability, capacity utilization)

14.2. Continuous Improvement

• Lessons learned including (documentation, categorization)

• Procedure updates including (revision process, implementation)

• Best practice development including (standardization, sharing)

• Knowledge transfer including (communication methods, training)

• Database development including (reference material, searchable resources)

15. Special Lifting Applications

15.1. Tandem Lifting

• Crane selection including (compatibility, capacity matching)

• Load distribution including (percentage allocation, center of gravity)

• Synchronization including (movement coordination, communication)

• Risk assessment including (specific factors, additional controls)

• Planning requirements including (engineering input, approval levels)

15.2. Critical Lifting Operations

• Personnel lifting including (basket design, special requirements)

• Long/slender objects including (stability, multiple attachment points)

• Heavy/exceptional loads including (ground preparation, special equipment)

• Over/around sensitive areas including (environmental concerns, critical infrastructure)

• Blind lifts including (camera systems, signaler positioning)

16. Specialized Industry Applications

16.1. Construction Sector

• High-rise construction including (tower crane planning, jumping operations)

• Modular installation including (precision placement, structural connection)

• Equipment installation including (machinery placement, alignment)

• Infrastructure projects including (bridge components, precast elements)

• Tight urban environments including (restricted space, public protection)

16.2. Oil and Gas Applications

• Offshore lifts including (vessel stability, marine conditions)

• Process equipment including (critical components, tight tolerances)

• Turnaround operations including (time constraints, multiple lifts)

• Live plant considerations including (operational facilities, explosive atmospheres)

• Remote locations including (resource limitations, logistics)

17. Case Studies & Group Discussions

• Middle East complex lifting operations including (regional challenges, solutions)

• Incident analysis including (failures, root causes, prevention)

• Successful critical lifts including (planning effectiveness, execution)

• Multi-crane operations including (coordination, synchronization)

• The importance of proper planning in successful lifting operations