CPCS Safe Lifting Operations & LOLER 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a lifting plan and when is it required?
- A documented plan for a lifting operation, required for all crane lifts and complex operations (Correct answer)
- A plan required only for lifts over 10 tonnes
- An informal verbal briefing before any lift
- A plan only required for lifts over public highways
Correct answer: A documented plan for a lifting operation, required for all crane lifts and complex operations
A lifting plan documents the method, equipment, personnel, communication, exclusion zones, and emergency arrangements for a lifting operation. LOLER requires planning for all lifting operations.
Question 2: What does 'duty of care' mean for a crane operator under LOLER?
- The operator must take reasonable care to ensure lifting operations are carried out safely (Correct answer)
- The operator must carry out all maintenance themselves
- The operator is responsible for all injuries on site
- Duty of care only applies to the lift supervisor
Correct answer: The operator must take reasonable care to ensure lifting operations are carried out safely
Duty of care under LOLER means the crane operator must take reasonable steps to ensure their lifting operations are safe — checking loads, following the lifting plan, and stopping if unsafe conditions arise.
Question 3: Why is it important to know the centre of gravity of a load before lifting?
- An incorrectly balanced load can tilt or swing unexpectedly, creating serious hazard (Correct answer)
- Centre of gravity only affects how the load looks during the lift
- Knowing centre of gravity helps calculate fuel consumption
- Centre of gravity is irrelevant to LOLER compliance
Correct answer: An incorrectly balanced load can tilt or swing unexpectedly, creating serious hazard
If slings are attached without accounting for the load's centre of gravity, the load will tilt when lifted. This can cause the load to strike persons or structures, or the load to fall from the slings.
Question 4: What is an exclusion zone in the context of a lifting operation?
- An area below and around the lift from which all non-essential personnel are excluded (Correct answer)
- A zone only relevant to tower crane operations
- An area around the crane cab that must remain clear
- A zone only required in public areas
Correct answer: An area below and around the lift from which all non-essential personnel are excluded
An exclusion zone is an area around and below the lift path from which non-essential personnel are excluded, preventing injury if the load or lifting accessory were to fall.
Question 5: Under LOLER, what does 'marked with its SWL' mean for a lifting accessory?
- Every sling, shackle, and hook must be permanently marked with the maximum safe working load (Correct answer)
- Only the crane itself needs SWL marking
- SWL is recorded in a register but does not need marking on the equipment
- Marking is only required for equipment over 5 tonnes SWL
Correct answer: Every sling, shackle, and hook must be permanently marked with the maximum safe working load
LOLER requires all lifting accessories to be permanently marked with their SWL so operators can quickly verify that the equipment is rated for the intended lift.
Question 6: What action must be taken if a sling is found to have a broken wire strand during a pre-lift check?
- The sling must be withdrawn from service and destroyed (Correct answer)
- Continue the lift if only one strand is broken
- Use the sling at a reduced load
- Report it and continue while waiting for a replacement
Correct answer: The sling must be withdrawn from service and destroyed
A broken strand weakens a wire rope sling significantly. Once beyond allowable limits, the sling must be withdrawn from service and destroyed to prevent it being reused. Never use damaged lifting accessories.
CPCS Safe Lifting Operations & LOLER 2
What is a lifting plan and when is it required?