CPCS Safe Lifting Operations & LOLER 2

Question 1

What is a lifting plan and when is it required?

Accepted Answer

A documented plan for a lifting operation, required for all crane lifts and complex operations

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

The operator must take reasonable care to ensure lifting operations are carried out safely

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

An incorrectly balanced load can tilt or swing unexpectedly, creating serious hazard

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

An area below and around the lift from which all non-essential personnel are excluded

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Every sling, shackle, and hook must be permanently marked with the maximum safe working load

Answer

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.

CPCS Theory Practice Test

CPCS Theory Practice Test

CPCS Safe Lifting Operations & LOLER 2