Code of Practice - Workplace Safety and Health Council

• be present during all lifting operations; and
• take suitable measures to rectify any unsafe conditions to ensure the lifting operation can
be conducted safely.
5.3.2 Lifting Equipment Operator
There are different types of lifting equipment and the operator is one of the most important personnel
of the Lifting Team as he is in-charged of the lifting equipment. One of the key competencies of the
crane operator of mobile, crawler or tower cranes is the ability to read and understand the load
capacity chart, and to differentiate the Gross Capacity and Net Capacity of the lift. The operator needs
to know the SWL of the crane relative to the radius in order to prevent overloading of the crane.
The appointed lifting equipment operator shall:
• carry out the lifting operation in accordance with the Lifting Plan;
• inspect the lifting equipment prior to use to check for abnormalities;
• check that load radius indicator and other safety devices are functioning properly;
• ensure that the ground is stable and the surrounding is free from any structures or
materials that may obstruct the lifting operation;
• carry out lifting operation only when a lifting supervisor is present on site;
• disengage from any manoeuvre that is dangerous;
• monitor environmental effects such as thunderstorm and strong wind that will affect the
safe operations of the lift;
• report any defects immediately to the lifting supervisor, and record such defects in
maintenance log records;
• stop the lift whenever unsafe conditions occur; and
• check the crane wire rope to ensure it is still within safe use.
5.3.3 Signalmen
The appointed signalmen shall be attired in such a way that he/ she will be distinctively identified as
the signalman.
The appointed signalmen shall:
• ensure the load is correctly rigged up prior to giving signals to commence the lift;
• give correct and clear signals to the lifting equipment operator to manoeuvre the load
safely from the point of lift to the destination;
• ensure communications are maintained with the lifting equipment operator throughout the
lift in accordance with the lifting plan;
• ensure the lift is controlled throughout the duration of the operation;
• ensure that the immediate areas within the lift (start point and final position) are clear of
any hazards during the manoeuvre;
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