Permits to Work · Mandatory · Construction

Permit to Work — Crane and Lifting Operations

The Crane and Lifting Operations Permit authorises individual lifting operations and confirms that a lift plan has been prepared, equipment has valid thorough examination certificates, and exclusion zones have been established. It records the appointed person, slinger/signaller details, load weight, and radius. Every crane lift must be covered by a specific permit referencing the approved lift plan.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. LOLER 1998 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

Document ref	E8 — Permit to Work: Crane and Lifting Operations
Legal basis	Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) + MHSWR 1999 Regulation 3 + BS 7121 series
LOLER 1998	All lifting operations must be planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised, and carried out in a safe manner
Appointed Person	The competent person responsible for planning the lifting operation, selecting the crane and lifting accessories, and producing the lift plan
Lift plan	Required for every lifting operation — must be produced by the Appointed Person and address crane selection, rigging, ground conditions, radius, exclusion zones, and environmental factors
Slinger/signaller	Trained and competent person responsible for attaching the load to the crane hook and directing the crane operator during the lift
When PTW needed	Tandem lifts, lifts over occupied areas, lifts near overhead power lines, lifts exceeding 80 percent of crane capacity, blind lifts, lifts in high winds, night lifts

1. Lifting Operations — High Consequence

Crane and lifting operations are among the highest-consequence activities on a construction site. A dropped load, a crane overturn, or contact with overhead power lines can cause multiple fatalities in a single incident. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) require that every lifting operation is planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised, and carried out in a safe manner. The permit to work for lifting operations adds a formal authorisation step that ensures the lift plan has been produced, the crane and accessories are suitable, the ground has been assessed, exclusion zones are in place, and all personnel understand their roles before the lift proceeds.

The Appointed Person (AP) is the key competent role in any lifting operation. The AP is responsible for planning the lift, selecting the crane, specifying the lifting accessories, determining the radius and capacity, and producing the lift plan. The AP must hold a recognised qualification (CPCS A61 or equivalent) and have sufficient experience to manage the specific type of lift being planned. On complex lifts — tandem lifts, lifts near power lines, lifts over occupied buildings — the AP’s role extends to supervising the entire operation on site.

No person must be positioned under a suspended load at any time

This is an absolute rule under LOLER Regulation 8(2). No person shall be positioned in an area where they could be struck by a load that falls, swings, or is released from the lifting equipment. The exclusion zone must be established before the lift begins and maintained throughout the operation. Where a lift must pass over an area where people are working, the area must be cleared and barriered before the load is raised. Violations of this rule are one of the most common enforcement actions taken by the HSE on construction sites and have resulted in immediate prohibition notices.

2. Lifting PTW — Required Content

The following table sets out the fields that a crane and lifting operations permit to work should contain. Each field must be completed by the Appointed Person or the authorising person and verified before the lift is authorised.

Permit field	Required content
Lift description	Specific description of the load to be lifted, its weight, dimensions, centre of gravity (if not obvious), and the pick-up and set-down locations
Crane identification	Type, model, serial number, and maximum safe working load (SWL) of the crane. Confirmation that the current LOLER thorough examination certificate is valid and available on site
Appointed Person	Name and qualification of the Appointed Person who has planned the lift. Confirmation that the AP has produced or approved the lift plan for this specific operation
Crane operator	Name and CPCS/NPORS card number of the crane operator. Confirmation that the operator holds the correct category card for the crane type being used
Slinger/signaller	Name(s) and qualification(s) of the slinger(s) and signaller(s). Confirmation that they are trained and competent for the type of load and rigging method
Lifting accessories	Specification of all lifting accessories to be used — slings (type, SWL, length), shackles, hooks, spreader beams, lifting frames. Confirmation that each item has a current LOLER thorough examination certificate and is marked with its SWL
Ground conditions and outrigger setup	Assessment of ground bearing capacity at the crane standing position and under each outrigger. Confirmation that outrigger mats or pads of adequate size are in place, and that underground voids (basements, drains, service runs) have been identified and avoided or bridged
Radius and capacity check	Confirmation that the crane has adequate capacity at the required radius to lift the load with a suitable safety margin. The load, including the weight of lifting accessories, must not exceed the crane rating at the planned radius under the prevailing conditions (wind, gradient)
Exclusion zone	Defined exclusion zone covering the area beneath and around the load path, swing radius, and any area at risk from load drop or crane overturn. Barriers, signage, and banksmen in place before the lift begins
Overhead power lines	Confirmation of whether overhead power lines are present within the crane operating radius plus the maximum jib length. If present: minimum clearance distances confirmed (typically 15m for 400kV, 9m for 132kV, 6m for 33kV, 3m for 11kV), goal posts or physical barriers in place, DNO consulted
Permit validity and sign-off	Start time, end time, maximum duration. Signature of the Appointed Person confirming the lift plan is adequate for the specific lift. Signature of the authorising person (site manager or PC representative). Cancellation sign-off on completion confirming the lift is complete and the area is safe

3. Common Mistakes

No lift plan produced for routine lifts

LOLER requires a lift plan for every lifting operation — not just complex or unusual lifts. Routine lifts (daily material deliveries, block pallets, formwork panels) still require a lift plan, even if it takes the form of a generic lift plan covering a defined category of repetitive lifts. The Appointed Person must have assessed the lift category and produced a plan that addresses crane capacity, radius, exclusion zone, and rigging method. A lift without a plan is a lift without any demonstrated planning — and is a breach of Regulation 8.

Exclusion zone not maintained during the lift

The exclusion zone is established before the lift begins but frequently breaks down during the operation as other trades walk through the area or vehicles enter the load path. The permit must designate a banksman or signaller whose sole responsibility during the lift is to maintain the exclusion zone. Physical barriers (not just tape) should be used where practicable. A load passing over a person is a LOLER breach regardless of how briefly they are in the zone.

Lifting accessories without current thorough examination

Every lifting accessory — slings, shackles, hooks, eyebolts, spreader beams — must have a current LOLER thorough examination certificate. Accessories must be examined at least every 6 months (or in accordance with an examination scheme). Using accessories beyond their examination date is a criminal offence under LOLER. The permit should require confirmation that all accessories to be used have been checked and their certificates are current before the lift is authorised.

Ground conditions not assessed for mobile crane setup

A mobile crane imposes concentrated loads through its outriggers that can exceed the bearing capacity of the ground, particularly on made ground, near excavations, or above basements and service runs. The permit must confirm that the ground has been assessed by a competent person, that outrigger mats of adequate size are in place, and that the crane is level. Crane overturns due to ground failure are a recurring cause of fatalities and typically result from a failure to assess the ground before the crane was set up.

Tandem lift attempted without specific planning

A tandem lift (two cranes lifting a single load simultaneously) is a high-risk operation that requires specific planning by an Appointed Person with tandem lift experience. The lift plan must address load share between the two cranes, communication between the two operators, the sequence of movements, and the contingency if one crane develops a fault during the lift. A tandem lift must never be improvised on site because a single crane proves insufficient. If the load exceeds the capacity of one crane, the operation must stop and a tandem lift plan must be produced before proceeding.

4. Related Documents

The crane and lifting operations permit to work operates alongside several other documents in the compliance framework. The following should be cross-referenced.

Document	Relationship
D15 — RAMS: Crane and Lifting Operations	The task-specific RAMS for lifting operations provides the detailed risk assessment and method statement. The permit to work confirms that the controls described in the RAMS are in place for each specific lift or lift category.
D7 — RAMS: Steel Erection	Steel erection is heavily dependent on lifting operations. The steel erection RAMS and the lifting PTW must be coordinated to ensure that lift plans, exclusion zones, and temporary stability measures are aligned.
E6 — PTW: Working at Height	Where lifting operations involve personnel working at height (e.g. slinger/signaller on an elevated platform, steelwork erectors receiving loads at height), a separate WAH permit may be required in addition to the lifting permit.
E7 — PTW: Temporary Works	Where heavy lifting operations impose loads on temporary works (e.g. crane loads transferred through temporary platforms or the crane standing on a suspended slab), the TW permit must confirm that the temporary works are designed to accept these loads.
B4 — Task-Specific Risk Assessment	The task-specific risk assessment underpins the lift plan and the permit. The risk assessment must address the specific lifting hazards for each operation or category of operation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions

Does LOLER require a lift plan for every lift?▾

Yes. LOLER Regulation 8(1) requires that every lifting operation is properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised, and carried out in a safe manner. The lift plan is the documented output of that planning requirement. For routine repetitive lifts (e.g. daily material deliveries using the same crane at the same radius), a generic lift plan covering the category of lift is acceptable, provided the Appointed Person has assessed the category and the conditions remain within the parameters set out in the plan. For non-routine lifts, a specific lift plan is required for each operation.

Who is the Appointed Person and what qualifications do they need?▾

The Appointed Person (AP) is the competent person responsible for planning a lifting operation. They select the crane, specify the lifting accessories, determine the method of rigging, and produce the lift plan. The AP must hold a recognised qualification — typically CPCS Category A61 (Appointed Person) or equivalent — and have practical experience of planning the type of lift in question. The AP role cannot be filled by the crane operator alone, although an operator who also holds the A61 qualification may act as AP for straightforward lifts. For complex lifts, the AP should be a separate individual who can focus solely on the planning and supervision of the operation.

How often must lifting accessories be thoroughly examined?▾

Under LOLER Regulation 9, lifting accessories (slings, shackles, chains, hooks, eyebolts, spreader beams) must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 6 months. Lifting equipment (cranes, hoists, MEWPs) must be examined at intervals not exceeding 12 months, or 6 months for equipment used to lift persons. A thorough examination report must be produced after each examination, and any defects must be rectified before the item is returned to service. These intervals are maximum periods — a risk-based examination scheme may require more frequent examinations depending on the usage and environment.

What clearance distances are required near overhead power lines?▾

The safe clearance distances depend on the voltage of the overhead line. As a guide: 400kV lines require a minimum clearance of 15 metres from the nearest conductor; 275kV lines require 12 metres; 132kV lines require 9 metres; 33kV and 66kV lines require 6 metres; and 11kV lines require 3 metres. These distances must be maintained between the nearest part of the crane (including the jib at maximum extension) and the nearest conductor at maximum sag. Where these clearances cannot be maintained, the distribution network operator (DNO) must be consulted and physical barriers (goal posts) erected to prevent encroachment. Working within the exclusion zone without DNO authorisation is prohibited.

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