1. CRITICAL LIFTS Crane & Rigging Conference Edmonton, AB
Prepared by: Ian Humphrey, P. Eng.
Paul Henderson, P. Eng.

2. The Knack

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Definition of Critical Lift
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:

6. My Critical Lift

7. Critical Lifts by Definition

8. 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.
Ref: Alberta OH&S 2009

9. Sample Lift Calculation from Alberta OH&S for Mobile Cranes
Ref: Alberta OH&S 2009

10. Sample Lift Calculation from Alberta OH&S for Overhead Cranes
Ref: Alberta OH&S 2009

11. 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.

12. Critical Lift Form Sample 1 Ref: Iron Ore Company of Canada www
Critical Lift Form Sample 1 Ref: Iron Ore Company of Canada

13. Critical Lift Form Sample 2 Ref: Work Place BC www.worksafebc.com

14. Mitigate Risk on Critical Lifts
Ways to mitigate risk:
All critical lifts should be documented by a critical lift form 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)

15. Engineered Lift Plan
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

16. Sample Engineered Lift Plan

17. 1) Plan View 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 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)

18. Sample Plan View

19. 2) Elevation View
Elevation view should contain the following information:
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

20. Sample Elevation View

21. 3) Rigging Details
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, 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

22. Sample Rigging Details

23. 4) Load Chart (Part A) 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

24. Sample Load Chart (Part A)

25. 4) Load Chart (Part B) 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)

26. Sample Load Chart (Part B)

27. 4) Load Chart (Part C) 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.

28. Sample Load Chart (Part C)

29. Sample Load Chart (Part C)

30. 5) Lift Procedure
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).

31. Sample Lift Procedure

32. Engineering Lift Plan – Additional Information
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).

33. Engineering Lift Plan – Additional Information

34. 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.

35. Lift Deviation Form
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.

36. Sample Lift Deviation Form

37. 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.

38. 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.

39. Engineered Lift Plan – Key to Success
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.

40. 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.

41. Critical Lifts
Questions?
Clarifications?