Six Things to Check Before You Take the Load

Checklists die when they are written for an audit instead of a hook. This one is short on purpose. If you cannot do these six things, do not take the load.

1. 01

   KNOW THE WEIGHT

   Confirm load weight, centre of gravity and lifting points. If any of those are unknown, do not rig. Guessing the weight is not planning.

2. 02

   INSPECT THE GEAR

   Slings, shackles, hooks and hardware. Cuts, birdcaging, bent pins, missing latches — out of service. No 'one more lift.'

3. 03

   CONNECT IT PROPERLY

   Hardware sits straight. Slings are protected from sharp edges. Nothing is twisted, knotted or choked off a guess.

4. 04

   CLEAR THE AREA

   Exclusion zone set. Fall line empty. Tag lines where they can actually control the piece. Nobody walking through for a better view.

5. 05

   TEST THE LIFT

   Take it just clear of the ground. Check balance, brakes, and whether the rigging is doing what you thought. If it tilts, lands or shocks — lower it and re-rig.

6. 06

   KEEP THE SIGNAL

   One signalperson. One operator. Radios or hand signals agreed. If the signal is lost, the lift stops. No interpreting silence.

If a procedure cannot be followed on a jobsite, it is not a procedure.

Print this if you want it in a pocket. Better: read the full sequence in Proven and use it the way the work actually happens.

04 — SAFE WORK PROCEDURES →

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