Lift Plan Guidance UK
Practical guidance for preparing lift plans, method statements, lift schedules and evidence packs for construction lifting operations.
Guidance centre
UK Lift Planning Guidance
Plant-specific guidance for Appointed Persons, contractors and site teams preparing lift plans under UK construction expectations. Includes planning considerations for OHLE, GS6, ground bearing, temporary works, wind, lifting accessories, LOLER, PUWER, CAA crane notification and rail-adjacent operations.
Planning topics
Lift plan guidance by plant, hazard and duty
Use this library to find practical guidance for crane lift plans, excavator lift plans, telehandler lift plans and static lifting plans. Each page is written around real planning questions: what must be checked, what evidence should be recorded, and when AP, TWC, engineer or competent-person review is needed.
LOLER, PUWER and BS 7121
Planning prompts linked to LOLER Regulation 8, PUWER, BS 7121 principles, competent review, AP duties and site-specific approval records.
Ground, OHLE and Temporary Works
Focused checks for ground bearing, crane mats, outrigger loads, piling mats, overhead lines, GS6 controls and temporary works sign-off.
Tower Crane Lift Plans
Tower crane lift planning guidance for UK sites covering LOLER, BS 7121, AP duties, zoning, oversailing, OHLE/GS6 controls, foundations, temporary works and lifting management.
Read guidance Crawler crane lift planning guidanceCrawler Crane Lift Plans
Crawler crane lift plan guidance for UK construction sites covering LOLER, BS 7121, ground bearing, crane mats, temporary works, OHLE/GS6, travel routes and AP review.
Read guidance Mobile crane lift planning guidanceMobile Crane Lift Plans
UK mobile crane lift plan guidance covering LOLER, BS 7121, AP planning, outrigger loading, ground bearing, temporary works, OHLE/GS6 and exclusion zones.
Read guidance Excavator lift planning guidanceExcavator Lift Plans
UK guidance for excavator lift plans covering LOLER, CPA/SFPSG guidance, AP planning duties, quick hitch allowance, ground conditions, OHLE/GS6 and lifting accessories.
Read guidance Static lifting guidanceStatic Lifting Plans
Static lifting plan guidance for ME&I, plant rooms, beams, frames, temporary works, chain blocks, gantries and controlled non-crane lifting operations on UK sites.
Read guidance Telehandler lift planning guidanceTelehandler Lift Plans
Telehandler lift plan guidance for UK sites covering LOLER, suspended loads, forks, jib attachments, load charts, ground conditions, OHLE/GS6 and competent review.
Read guidanceOfficial reference downloads
Public Guidance and Source Documents
Use these links as source references when planning lifting operations. Always check the issuing body for the current revision before relying on a document for live works.
BS 7121 - Safe use of cranes series
British Standard series for the safe use of cranes. Referenced for crane planning, supervision, lift categorisation and competent-person controls. Available to buy from BSI.
CPA CIG/TCIG TIN 110 - Planning lifting operations in wind
Technical note on assessing wind, crane configuration, load projected area, wind-sensitive loads and planning controls for lifting operations.
CLOCS mobile cranes guidance
CLOCS resources for managing mobile crane activity, site access, road risk and construction logistics interfaces.
CPA Ground Conditions for Construction Plant
Strategic Forum/CPA guidance on ground bearing, plant platforms, loadings, temporary works coordination and ground suitability for construction plant.
HSE safe lifting by machine and lifting accessories
HSE overview covering LOLER lifting equipment, lifting accessories, sling loading, SWL and avoiding unsuitable or damaged accessories.
HSE excavator safety FAQs
HSE construction FAQ covering excavator safety topics, including excavators used for lifting operations and safe site controls.
CPA lifting operations with 180 and 360 excavators
CPA Plant Safety Group guidance on planning and executing lifting operations using 180 and 360 degree excavators.
LEEA slings and lifting accessories guidance documents
LEEA document library entries for lifting accessories, slings, sling components, chain slings and documentation/marking guidance.
LEEA COPSULE - Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment
Free LEEA code of practice covering safe lifting equipment use, selection, inspection, training and lifting operation planning.
CPA Tower Crane Operator's Handbook
Practical tower crane operator guidance covering the operator's role within a trained, competent lifting team and safe system of work.
CPA TCIG TIN 020 - Wind on tower cranes in service
Tower Crane Interest Group technical note on wind effects, planning lifts around forecast wind speeds, in-service limits and safe tower crane operation.
Strategic Forum tower crane guidance library
HSE-recognised route into the free Strategic Forum and CPA tower crane guidance set, including erection, dismantling, inspection, maintenance and management topics.
HSE GS6 - Avoiding danger from overhead power lines
Primary reference for planning work near overhead electric lines, including cranes, excavators, telehandlers and long-reach plant.
HSE L113 - LOLER ACOP and guidance
Approved Code of Practice and guidance for the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.
HSE L22 - PUWER ACOP and guidance
Approved Code of Practice and guidance for safe use of work equipment, relevant to lifting plant selection, maintenance and use.
CAA CAP1096 - Crane notification and obstacle lighting
Guidance for crane users on notification, obstacle marking and lighting where aviation safeguarding may apply.
CAA CAST Advice Note 4 - Cranes and construction issues
Aerodrome safeguarding guidance for cranes and other tall construction equipment around aerodromes.
Network Rail third-party works downloads
Asset protection and third-party works references for construction activity near Network Rail infrastructure.
Network Rail Safety Central - SAI25 OLE forms
Current controlled forms and guidance area for working on or about overhead line equipment where SAI25 applies.
CPA rail-adjacent lifting equipment guidance
CPA CIG/TCIG guidance for lifting equipment adjacent to railways controlled by Network Rail.
Recommended site apps
Useful Apps for Lift Planning Checks
These apps can support planning checks for wind, weather, location and site context. They are aids only and do not replace competent assessment, calibrated site readings or an approved lift plan.
Met Office Weather Forecast
UK weather warnings, forecast wind speeds, gusts, rain radar and local conditions before lifting operations.
Windy.com
Wind and gust visualisation, forecast model comparison, nearby weather stations and changing weather patterns.
what3words
Exact 3m location references for remote sites, emergency locations, gate references and delivery entrances.
Google Earth
Site context, access routes, surrounding buildings, railway interfaces, terrain and general area review.
Sun Seeker
Sun path, shadows and visibility checks where glare or low sun may affect lifting, signalling or traffic interfaces.
For lifting in wind, record the forecast source, on-site reading method, wind limits, load sensitivity and the person authorised to stop the lift.
Guidance supports planning. It does not replace approval.
Every lift must still be checked against the site, plant, load, ground conditions, personnel and current documentation by a competent person.