LEEA
Safety above all
Understanding and implementing safe lifting practices across industries is not only critical for preventing incidents and ensuring operational integrity – it can literally be a matter of life and death. The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), the globally recognised authority for the lifting equipment sector, shares essential expertise and insights to make lifting safety second nature across all industries.
F
rom oilfields and offshore rigs to construction sites, shipyards, factory floors and even farms, lifting equipment is the backbone of heavy operations. Yet every hoisted load carries significant risk. Whether it’s a suspended pipe on an oil rig, a swinging steel beam on a construction site, or a hay bale lifted on a farm, the consequences of a mishap can be catastrophic.
In North America, crane-related accidents
average roughly 42 fatalities per year, and a ten-year study of 249 crane incidents recorded 133 injuries and 133 deaths, with nearly 37% of incidents resulting from workers being crushed by swinging or dropped loads. These sobering numbers underscore a simple truth: regardless of the industry, safe lifting practices are literally a matter of life and death.
The hidden dangers in every lift Each industry faces its own lifting challenges, yet some risks are universal. Human error and improper use of equipment top the list of causes for lifting accidents. Poor rigging techniques can lead to dropped loads; miscommunication among crew members can result in dangerous swings. For example, one study found that 27% of crane accidents involved dropped loads, often stemming from inadequate rigging practices. Environmental factors also play a critical role. Construction cranes must contend with high winds, maritime and offshore lifts deal with vessel movement and weather, and agricultural or mining operations often face the challenge of uneven ground. Overloading equipment, using the wrong gear, or ignoring hidden defects can lead to catastrophic failures.
Real-world incidents drive these points home. In August 2023, an uncertified crane operator in Florida was assigned alone to lift roof trusses at a construction site – a task for which he was neither trained nor supervised. During the first lift, the crane’s cable contacted overhead power lines, electrocuting the 34-year-old operator. OSHA investigators later noted that the employer had “cut corners and made the conscious choice to send an uncertified crane operator to a job site”, a decision that proved fatal. The company was cited for multiple serious safety violations: failing to stabilise the crane, allowing work too close to power lines and not ensuring the operator was certified. This tragedy is a stark reminder that every shortcut in lifting operations can carry a heavy price. Whether it’s a collapsed crane, a dropped container in a port or a hoist failure in a factory, the root causes tend to be the same: lack of planning, inadequate training, poor equipment upkeep or a breakdown in safety culture.
Lift plans: roadmaps for safety One of the most powerful tools in any lifting operation is a well-crafted lift plan – a detailed roadmap that outlines how the lift will be conducted safely. In many jurisdictions, such as under UK regulations, having an adequate lifting plan is a legal requirement for complex lifts. For routine operations, a general plan may suffice, but for special or complex lifts, a specific written plan is mandatory. A good lift plan must address three key questions: what is being lifted? Who is involved? And how it will be done safely? This planning process forces the team to visualise the entire lift, from start to finish and identify potential problems
ochmagazine.com | Summer 2025 9
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