Doc. No.

: L3-024-HSE-01
AZN Procedure
Rev. Date: 01-Oct-2018
Issue No Issue Date Revalidation
Lifting Operations
2 28-Jun-2015 30-Sep-2020 Page 2 of 9

Distribution List
Department/Section Recipient Department/Section Recipient
Management GM Stores All staff
Operations All staff Chemistry All staff
H.R. & Administration All staff Electrical All staff
I.T. All staff Mechanical All staff
Finance All staff Instrumentation & Control All staff
Procurement All staff Engineering All staff
H.S.E. All staff Performance All staff
Security All staff

Revision Record
Revision
Issue No. Description of Change Effective date
No.
1 0 First issue 28/06/2015
2 1 Routine review and format change 10/10/2018
 Doc. No.: L3-024-HSE-01
AZN Procedure
Rev. Date: 01-Oct-2018
Issue No Issue Date Revalidation
Lifting Operations
2 28-Jun-2015 30-Sep-2020 Page 3 of 9

Contents
1.0 PURPOSE.................................................................................................................. 4
2.0 PRINCIPLE ................................................................................................................ 4
3.0 SCOPE....................................................................................................................... 4
4.0 RESPONSIBILITY ..................................................................................................... 4
5.0 DEFINITIONS/ ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................. 4
6.0 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................... 5
7.0 HSE AND BUSINESS RISK....................................................................................... 5
8.0 PROCEDURE ............................................................................................................ 5
8.1 Lifting Operations ................................................................................................................. 5
8.2 Planning of lifting operations ............................................................................................... 6
8.2.1 Routine Lifts ...............................................................................................................6
8.2.2 Non Routine Lifts .......................................................................................................6
8.2.3 Contract Lifts .............................................................................................................7
8.2.4 Loads ..........................................................................................................................7
8.2.5 Slinging Loads ...........................................................................................................7
8.2.6 Anchored Loads ........................................................................................................8
8.2.7 Unstable Loads ..........................................................................................................8
8.2.8 Pendant Controls .......................................................................................................8
8.2.9 Signalling ...................................................................................................................8
9.0 AUDIT / REVIEWS ..................................................................................................... 9
10.0 ATTACHMENTS ........................................................................................................ 9
 Doc. No.: L3-024-HSE-01
AZN Procedure
Rev. Date: 01-Oct-2018
Issue No Issue Date Revalidation
Lifting Operations
2 28-Jun-2015 30-Sep-2020 Page 4 of 9

1.0 PURPOSE
This Procedure provides guidance on the management of risks associated with lifting operations.

2.0 PRINCIPLE
All lifting operations must be accompanied by a risk assessment and a lifting plan. A Last Minute
Risk Assessment (LMRA) must also be carried out to consider if any hazards have arisen since
the risk assessment and lifting plan were created. All relevant personnel, including crane
operators, riggers, FLT/MEWP operators, must prove their competence by possession of proof
of third party training. All lifting equipment must also be third party certificated.

3.0 SCOPE
Lifting equipment covers work equipment used for lifting or lowering loads and includes its
attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting it. It includes any lifting accessories that
attach the load to the machine in addition to the equipment which carries out the actual lifting
function. This includes equipment on hire from a third party and equipment which is used by
contractors and subcontractors. The scope is therefore very wide and includes a range of
equipment from an eyebolt to a tower crane. Guidance on checklists that can be used before and
during lifting operations is included in the appendices.

This Procedure applies in all situations where lifting equipment is used and lifting operations are
carried out.

The following types of lifting equipment are covered by this procedure:

a) Cranes.
b) Runway Beams and Captive Trolleys.
c) Powered winches and the associated lifting machine(s) in fixed locations.
d) Chains, ropes, slings, eyebolts, shackles, grab, bow nuts and clamps.
e) Chain blocks, pullifts, tirfors, pulley blocks, gin wheels, spreader beams and special
attachments.
f) Lifts and Hoists.
g) Fork Lift trucks and pallet trucks.
h) Mobile Elevating Working Platforms (MEWP’s).
i) Circuit breaker trolleys
j) Boom trucks

4.0 RESPONSIBILITY
The mechanical maintenance department are responsible for maintenance of lifting equipment,
management of routine inspection and creation of lifting plans.

5.0 DEFINITIONS/ ABBREVIATIONS

Site Lifting Specialist: Personnel suitably trained and experienced to perform
lifting operations and supervise routine lifts. These persons can
include Crane Supervisors, Crane Operators, Riggers,
Signallers, Banksmen and Forklift Truck drivers, and must be
third party certificated
 Doc. No.: L3-024-HSE-01
AZN Procedure
Rev. Date: 01-Oct-2018
Issue No Issue Date Revalidation
Lifting Operations
2 28-Jun-2015 30-Sep-2020 Page 5 of 9

Routine Lifts Uncomplicated lifts performed on a regular basis involving basic

slinging practices, e.g. lifting drums and containers,
loading/unloading trucks etc. Also lifts involving the use of basic hoisting
equipment in unrestricted areas, e.g. a crane or manual hoist
(suspended from dedicated lifting structures) directly above the load.
Loads must have certified lifting points or be relatively easy to sling.

Non-Routine Lifts Lifts that are difficult due to the nature of the load e.g. awkward shape,
offset or high centre of gravity, fragile, containing liquids, no lifting
attachments/difficult to sling, heavy load etc. The loads may also require
to be rotated or loads transferred involving two or more sets of rigging
and/or tandem lifting with cranes. Lifts of an extended duration, e.g.
covering two or more work shifts. Alternatively, any of the above but
with additional hazards, e.g. extremely heavy loads, confined spaces,
restricted headroom, lifting subsea, lifts involving divers, lifts involving
floating cranes, lifts where personnel are the load. Use of the seawater
intake and turbine hall cranes are classed as non-routine lifts due to
their location and complexity.

Competent Person With respect to lifting operations and equipment, this is a person
qualified to assess safe working loads and to inspect and assess the
condition of lifting equipment on behalf of insurers

6.0 REFERENCES
UK HSE Guidance L64 Safety signs and signals
AZN/HSE/PROC/015 SAFETY SIGNS AND SIGNALS
AZN/MAI/PROC/MECH/001 Procedure for the Control of Lifting Gear

7.0 HSE AND BUSINESS RISK

Ensuring that the site meets industry best practice in lifting operations and minimises the chances
of causing injury or damage during lifts.

8.0 PROCEDURE
8.1 Lifting Operations
When using on site cranes and hoists or hired mobile cranes, a lifting plan for that specific task
will be formulated to enable safe operations of the task being undertaken.

When using a hired mobile crane, the person in charge of the lifting operations must check the
driver’s certificate and crane operating licence before commencement of work.
All lifting operations should be properly planned, risk assessed and appropriately supervised. The
degree of planning, assessment and supervision will vary considerably depending upon the type
of lifting equipment to be used and the complexity of the lifting operation.

The main turbine hall overhead crane must only be used by the remote control unit unless access
to the operating cab is essential. In that case, a full work at height assessment must be made to
ensure safe access to the cab is provided.
 Doc. No.: L3-024-HSE-01
AZN Procedure
Rev. Date: 01-Oct-2018
Issue No Issue Date Revalidation
Lifting Operations
2 28-Jun-2015 30-Sep-2020 Page 6 of 9

8.2 Planning of lifting operations

The degree of planning, assessment and supervision required can be classified by categorising
lifting operations into the groups defined above.
Before any mechanical lifting device, such as crane, FLT, MEWP etc. is used, it must be pre-start
checked. Any batteries must be sufficiently charged for the completion of the work and defects
reported and rectified prior to use. The Planning Engineer shall verify the last PM carried out on
the equipment to ensure that the lifting equipment is maintained properly.

8.2.1 Routine Lifts

This type of lifting will be carried out routinely by trained Crane Operators, Slingers/Riggers and/or
Forklift Truck drivers.

Planning required: Generic or specific plans, procedures, risk assessments and work methods.

8.2.2 Non Routine Lifts

These lifts should also be carried out by trained slingers/riggers and crane drivers.

Planning required: Written plans produced by Site Lifting Specialist and supported by toolbox talks
at the point of work.

Supervision required: Personal supervision by Site Lifting Specialist

Lifting operations can be categorised to determine the degree of planning required. For example,
most Forklift Truck operations will be Routine Lifts and therefore generic plans/procedures may
suffice. Alternatively, Non Routine Lifts will require specific lifting plans prepared by a Competent
Person.

Proper planning of lifting operations is a combination of two parts:

o Initial planning to ensure that lifting equipment is provided which is suitable for the range
of tasks that it will have to carry out; and

o Planning of individual lifting operations so that they can be carried out safely with the
lifting equipment provided.

For Routine Lifts an initial plan, using the format in Appendix 1, may only be required once but may
need to be reviewed occasionally to make sure that nothing has changed and the ‘plan’ remains
valid. For Non Routine Lifts there will be a need to plan the task each time it is carried out.

For Non Routine Lifts, a Site Lifting Specialist should:

Assess the proposed lift to identify the hazards and corresponding risks, provide for planning,
selection of equipment, instruction and supervision to enable the work to be carried out safely;

Ensure that all tests, inspections, examinations and maintenance have been carried out, and that
there is a procedure for reporting defects and taking any necessary corrective action;
Ensure staff are fully briefed on the relevant sections of the lift plan and have access to the relevant
method statements;

Have the authority to carry out their duties and to stop the operations if they think there is any danger
to personnel and/or equipment/installations, including third-parties;
 Doc. No.: L3-024-HSE-01
AZN Procedure
Rev. Date: 01-Oct-2018
Issue No Issue Date Revalidation
Lifting Operations
2 28-Jun-2015 30-Sep-2020 Page 7 of 9

Care should be taken to prevent inadequate planning of ‘spur of the moment’ lifts (sometimes known
as ‘lifts for favours’). This can typically occur, for example, when mobile cranes are bought onto site
and opportunities are taken to carry out unplanned lifting operations. In these circumstances a point
of work lifting assessment must be completed and saved.

8.2.3 Contract Lifts

A contract lift is a lifting operation that is totally contracted out to a specialist lifting company. The
contractor will supply the lifting equipment, the accessories for lifting and competent staff. The lifting
plan and risk assessment should be completed prior to the commencement of the lifting operation
and be evaluated and approved by a Site Lifting Specialist.

8.2.4 Loads
Working Load Limit (WLL) can generally be thought of as being the maximum load an item can
lift under ideal conditions. Safe Working Load (SWL) can usually be thought of the maximum load
the item can sustain under the conditions in which it is being used, following an assessment by a
Competent Person. In many cases, WLL and SWL will be the same.

In no circumstances whatsoever may the load on the lifting equipment exceed the SWL capacity,
except when under test by a Competent Person.

Lifting must be carried out with adequate planning. After lifting a load, it shall not be kept hanging
for longer than absolutely necessary. The lifting process has to be completed within the estimated
time period. If any difficulty is encountered, the load shall be brought down to the ground and
kept safely as required.

When lifting near the SWL capacity, the load should be raised a short distance only and the
operation stopped to check stability and safety before continuing. Wind-loading will affect how
near to the SWL a crane can operate. Care must also be taken when planning to lift loads out of
water as the load may suddenly increase beyond the SWL since the support previously given by
the water buoyancy no longer exists. When two cranes or other lifting appliances have to be used
for one load, each must work within its safe working load, and must remain stable throughout the
lift. Multiple lifts of this type must be supervised by a Site Lifting Specialist.
Where lifting machinery has a SWL which varies with its operating radius or is dependent upon
how it is configured, it should be either clearly marked or adequate information provided to
indicate to the user the corresponding SWL. Any marking should be clearly visible or the
information readily available to the operator or user, such as by a load computer. Any carrier used
for lifting persons (e.g. a suspended personnel basket or car of a passenger lift) should clearly
display the maximum number of persons and weight to be carried.

8.2.5 Slinging Loads

Crane hooks should be lowered to near working level before lifting slings on or off the hooks.
Loads must be correctly slung and made secure to prevent any part of them slipping and falling.

The load should be lifted only a nominal distance at first. This allows the operator to check the
estimations of balance, stability, and general security of the load while it is in a relatively safe
position. If any discrepancies are found, the load should be lowered and the slinging revised and
where necessary the lifting plan revisited. The sequence of trial lift and adjustment should be
repeated until the operator is satisfied that the load is balanced, stable and secure.
 Doc. No.: L3-024-HSE-01
AZN Procedure
Rev. Date: 01-Oct-2018
Issue No Issue Date Revalidation
Lifting Operations
2 28-Jun-2015 30-Sep-2020 Page 8 of 9

Many accidents associated with lifting operations are caused by faulty slinging (for example,
overloading, use of the wrong type of sling, unbalanced or insecure loads). This can result in the
load falling or tipping out of control. Precautions must be taken to prevent the load striking, or
becoming snagged on, any obstacle or causing other items to fall from height.

Loose materials (fasteners, tools, etc.) should be banded and on pallets when being lifted or they
should be lifted in a properly constructed box or other container. If loose materials are being lifted,
side pieces should be fitted to prevent anything falling. Containers must be prevented from
moving and should not be overfilled.

Where practicable, loads should not be suspended or carried over areas occupied by persons.
However, where this is not practicable, a safe system of work should be developed to minimise
any risks to those below the load. Where possible, the layout of the workplace should be
organised so that no person will have to work under a suspended load. The safe system of work
should include, for example, the prevention of access to the danger area below a suspended or
moving load, by barriers, and ensuring the load is adequately secured and that the operator is in
control of the movement at all times.

Turning loads from one plane to another is particularly hazardous. Where loads are to be turned
from one plane to another, the use of a single sling or lifting point should be avoided where
possible.

8.2.6 Anchored Loads

Cranes are not designed to pull loads free from their attachment to their surroundings. The
additional loading stress cannot be accurately determined and, when a load does break free, the
sudden shock can result in damage to the boom or crane machinery, failure of the sling, failure
of the wire, whiplash, and other dangers. It is imperative that prior to lifting, checks are made to
ensure the load is not attached to, or trapped against any fixed item.

8.2.7 Unstable Loads

In circumstances where the centre of gravity of a load is not known or where it is known to be off-
centre or could move, additional safety factors must be allowed for when planning the lift. An
example is the lifting of long columns from the vertical, where the load could become unstable
and topple the crane.

8.2.8 Pendant Controls

Care should be taken when using pendant control units for operating cranes and hoists. Pendant
controllers should ideally have design features that prevent inadvertent operation. Nevertheless,
when there is a pause in the operation they should only ever be hung and not placed onto objects.

8.2.9 Signalling
If the operator cannot see the load or the crane operating area during the whole lifting operation,
they must have one or more trained signallers or some other signalling system (e.g. radio) to
enable them to manoeuvre the load safely. It is recommended that where a signaller is necessary,
the signaller is in verbal contact with the operator by two-way radio whenever the lifting equipment
is moving, as well as when moving or manoeuvring an unloaded crane.

It is also essential that a signalman is in place, acting as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the operator
whenever there is a situation where, for example, a crane is being moved and the operator does
not have clear visibility all around the crane.
 Doc. No.: L3-024-HSE-01
AZN Procedure
Rev. Date: 01-Oct-2018
Issue No Issue Date Revalidation
Lifting Operations
2 28-Jun-2015 30-Sep-2020 Page 9 of 9

Signallers must be in a safe position, have a clear view of the path of the load have effective
communication with the operator. Signals must be clear and distinct. Mechanical or electrical
signals should be kept in good order and safeguarded against accidental operation.

In any case, a crane or load is considered moving until it reaches it full stop position and the load
and the lifting equipment is placed in its initial, final or resting position.

The procedure AZN/HSE/PROC/015 SAFETY SIGNS AND SIGNALS shows recognised signals
to be employed during movement of cranes or any lifting equipment.

9.0 AUDIT / REVIEWS

This document will be reviewed every 2 years or as a result of audit findings.

10.0 ATTACHMENTS
L4-01-(L3-024-HSE-00)-01 LIFTING PLAN
L4-02-(L3-024-HSE-00)-02 Point of Work Lifting Assessment