SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
LOAD CONTROL
The load goes where the plan said. Not where it drifted.
- DOCUMENT
- GOSPEL-SWP-015
- REVISION
- 01 CURRENT
- EFFECTIVE
- 2026-09-01
- OWNER
- GOSPEL Safety
- APPROVED BY
- GOSPEL
- REVIEW
- 2027-09-01
PURPOSE
Control rotation, swing and travel so people and plant are not in the path.
SCOPE
All lifts under this program once the load is on the hook.
This document is the method — the steps. Hazards, consequence and residual risk for the same work are in the JHA library. A procedure is not a hazard analysis. A hazard analysis is not a procedure.
PROCEDURE
- 01
PATH
Pick, travel, set — walked and briefed.
- 02
TAG LINES
On before the load leaves the ground if rotation must be controlled.
- 03
HOIST
Smooth. No snatching. Boom and swing only with the load under control.
- 04
ZONE
Held for the whole time the load is in the air.
- 05
IF IT GETS AWAY
Stop the motion. Do not chase a spinning load with your body. Reset.
RESPONSIBILITIES
This program
The published method for the work. Stop-work is named in it. It does not own the site.
Supervisor
Confirms the plan, the crew, the zone and the stop criteria. Owns whether the hook moves.
Crane operator
Runs only the machine they are competent on, to the chart, after inspection. Stops on an unclear signal or a broken plan.
Rigger
Selects, inspects and applies the hitch. Does not guess weight, centre of gravity or angle.
Signalperson
One set of hands on the crane. Holds the zone. STOP means stop.
Worker
Works to this program and to site rules — whichever is stricter. Uses the three rights. Reports damaged gear.
REQUIRED COMPETENCY
- Operator, rigger and signalperson who briefed the path
EQUIPMENT
- Tag lines
- Zone marking
- Spotters if briefed
PPE
- Hard hat
- CSA-grade footwear
- High-visibility clothing
- Eye protection
- Task-rated gloves
- Hearing protection where required
- Fall protection where the work exposes a fall
PROHIBITED PRACTICES
- Pushing a live load with a shoulder
- Side-pulling to drag a piece into place
- People using the load as a work platform
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Stop the lift. Make people safe. Land or hold the load if it can be done without a second incident. First aid. Notify the site and the employer. Hold the scene.
DOCUMENTATION
- FLHA
- Pre-use / inspection record
- This SWP number and revision
REFERENCES
- Workers Compensation Act s. 21 — known or reasonably foreseeable hazards; instruction and supervision
- OHS Regulation (B.C. Reg. 296/97, in force 15 Apr 1998) Part 3 — OHS program, instruction, inspections
- OHS Regulation Part 4 s. 4.13 — risk assessment where rescue or evacuation may arise
- OHS Regulation Part 8 — PPE; headwear CSA Z94.1-05 or Z94.1-15
- OHS Regulation Part 11 — fall protection
- OHS Regulation Part 14 — Cranes and Hoists
- 14.2(5) — CSA Z150-1998, or ASME B30.5-2004, or ASME B30.22-2005 (articulating boom)
- 14.2(6) — CSA Z248-2004 for tower, hammerhead and self-erecting tower cranes
- 14.35 pre-use inspection · 14.36 load weight · 14.42.1 critical lift · 14.44 loads over work areas · 14.45 unattended loads · 14.47–14.49 signals
- OHS Regulation Part 15 — Rigging
- Manufacturer load chart, manual and configuration limits
- Site lift plan, FLHA and site rules where stricter
PROVENsin(). Current version on this site.