How do you manage the environmental and social impacts of your lifting operations and ensure sustainability?

1 Assess the hazards and risks

Prior to any lifting operation, it is essential to identify and assess the potential hazards and risks that may arise from the activity, the equipment, the load, the environment, and the people involved. To aid in this process, you can use a risk assessment matrix or a checklist to evaluate the likelihood and severity of each hazard and determine the necessary control measures to reduce or eliminate them. Common hazards and risks include falling or dropping loads, collisions or entanglements with structures or power lines, equipment failures or malfunctions, human errors or miscommunication, weather conditions or site disturbances, injuries or fatalities to workers or bystanders, damage or loss to property or assets, and environmental pollution or contamination.

2 Choose the right equipment and personnel

When selecting the suitable equipment and personnel for your lifting operation, you must assess the hazards and risks. This includes considering the type, size, weight, and shape of the load, the lifting height and distance, the site layout and access, and the environmental conditions. Additionally, you should ensure that the equipment and personnel are certified, inspected, and maintained according to the relevant standards and regulations. Factors such as the capacity and stability of the lifting equipment, availability of accessories, competence of personnel, and roles/responsibilities of the lifting team should be taken into account.

3 Follow the lifting plan and procedures

Once you have chosen the right equipment and personnel, you need to adhere to the lifting plan and procedures that outline the details and requirements of your lifting operation. It is also important to consult and coordinate with the stakeholders, such as the client, the contractor, the site manager, and the authorities, to ensure that everyone is aware of and agrees on the scope, objectives, and expectations of the lifting operation. To ensure a successful lifting operation, you should conduct a pre-lift meeting and briefing with the lifting team, check and prepare the equipment, accessories, load, and site, implement control measures and safety precautions, perform the lifting operation according to the plan and instructions, and monitor and record any incidents or issues.

4 Review and improve your lifting operation

After you have completed your lifting operation, you should review and improve your lifting performance and outcomes. It is important to report and document any incidents, accidents, or near misses that occurred during or after the lifting operation, and investigate the root causes and corrective actions. Additionally, feedback and suggestions from the lifting team and stakeholders should be sought to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of your lifting operation. Questions to consider include whether you achieved your objectives and expectations, complied with standards and regulations, encountered any problems or challenges, learned any lessons or best practices, and how you can improve in the future.