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PROVEN

SAFE WORK PROCEDURE

SWP-006

RADIO COMMUNICATION

The lift channel is for the lift.

DOCUMENT
GOSPEL-SWP-006
REVISION
01 CURRENT
EFFECTIVE
2026-09-01
OWNER
GOSPEL Safety
APPROVED BY
GOSPEL
REVIEW
2027-09-01

PURPOSE

Use radios so the operator gets one clear instruction and a hard STOP.

SCOPE

Any lift under this program using radios, including blind lifts and tower operations.

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

  1. 01

    CHANNEL

    The lift channel is posted in the brief. Not the lunch channel.

  2. 02

    CHECK

    Radio check operator ↔ signalperson. Confirm STOP.

  3. 03

    PROTOCOL

    Name who you are calling. Instruction. Wait. Operator does not move on a clipped word.

  4. 04

    STOP

    The word is STOP. Anyone may say it. The crane stops.

  5. 05

    FAILURE

    Interference or death: stop the lift. Switch to hands only if that was briefed and both can see. Otherwise the lift waits.

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

  • Can run the radio without looking at it
  • Knows the stop word

EQUIPMENT

  • Site-approved radios
  • Charged batteries
  • Earpiece if the site requires it

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

  • Jokes on the lift channel
  • Talking over STOP
  • Uncharged radios at the brief

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.