Lifting safety – planning, responsibilities, and documentation

1/9/2026

Introduction

Lifting operations are inherently high-risk, but when properly planned and led, they can be safe and efficient. In Finland, lifting work is governed by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (738/2002), Government Decree 403/2008 on the safe use and inspection of work equipment, and Government Decree 205/2009 on the safety of construction work. These require identifying hazards, providing personnel induction/training, using equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and documenting inspections.

1) Lift plan: when it is required

Prepare a lift plan whenever the lift is demanding, involves a two-crane tandem lift (multiple cranes operating simultaneously), or when the lifting route and load control require exceptional coordination. The regulation specifically requires a written plan for tandem lifts; weather conditions (such as freezing temperatures or crosswind) do not, by themselves, create a mandatory planning requirement—although they may affect safe execution and stop limits.

Core contents of the plan (briefly):

• Load: weight, center of gravity, lifting points, route.
• Method and lifting accessories: sling angles, WLL markings, protection against sharp edges.
• Positioning and setup: ground bearing capacity, outrigger pads/cribbing.
• Exclusion zones: isolating the lifting area and preventing access.
• Communication: hand signals and radio rules (dedicated/closed channel for lift control).
• Emergencies and stop limits: managing deviations; synchronization criteria in tandem lifts.

2) Responsibilities and qualifications

• The principal contractor and safety coordinator are responsible for overall safety on a shared site: induction, instructions, and supervision.
• The lifting supervisor coordinates the lifts, reviews the plan, and ensures communications are in place (signal person/radio channel).
• Operator competence and written authorization: certain cranes require a vocational qualification (mobile crane >5 t, tower crane >25 tm, loader crane used for installation work >25 tm). The employer’s written authorization is required, among other things, for attaching the load to a crane intended for installation work.

3) Work equipment, radio traffic, and lifting accessories

• Selection and condition: equipment is selected for the conditions and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. WLL markings and the condition of lifting accessories are verified before use.
• Radio traffic: the radio channel used for lift control is reserved for lifting operations only; this is especially critical in a two-crane tandem lift to ensure synchronization.

4) Two-crane tandem lift (tandem lift)

When a load is lifted simultaneously by two cranes, a written lift plan must be prepared. The plan defines roles and responsibilities (one lead signal person/coordinator), load sharing (percentages and angles), synchronization and radio communications (commands and pacing), and stop limits (e.g., dynamic deviations).

5) Inspections and documentation

• Commissioning inspection (pre-use): carried out by an approved expert/expert organization before commissioning; documentation is mandatory.
• In-service inspections: daily and weekly (functional checks: brakes, safety devices, outriggers). Inspections are recorded as a log, minutes, or other stored record.
• Periodic inspection: at least annually; documentation is archived.

Installation crane setup record: what it is and when it is required

An installation crane setup record is a site-specific written document used to ensure and verify that the crane’s erection/positioning and foundation/support have been completed safely before lifting work begins. It complements the commissioning inspection and the documentation of daily/weekly inspections.

A setup record is made:

• Before the first lift at each new setup location, or whenever the crane is moved to a new position on site.
• Whenever conditions change materially (foundation/support/exclusion zones), or when moving to a two-crane tandem lift.

6) Safety = reliability and cost efficiency

• Fewer stoppages: a dedicated radio channel and tandem-lift coordination reduce erroneous commands and dynamic overloads.
• Less rework: correctly sized accessories and documented inspections prevent damage.
• Better schedule adherence: proactive risk management and clear responsibilities reduce the likelihood of deviations and shorten lead time.

7) Practical checklist

• Load: weight, center of gravity, route; element-specific instructions.
• Equipment: capacity/reach charts, outrigger pads, setup/foundation.
• Accessories: WLL, angles, protection for sharp edges.
• Roles: named supervisor, operator, signal person, rigger/slinger; qualifications and written authorizations in place.
• Communication: hand signals agreed; radio channel reserved for lifting only.
• Tandem lift (two cranes): written plan, load sharing, synchronization, radio protocols.

8) Last-minute hazard assessment – continuous safety

A last-minute hazard assessment is not a mandatory routine that you complete and forget. It is continuous situational monitoring before the lift and during the lift: new or unexpected hazards (e.g., people entering the exclusion zone, abnormal equipment behavior, material defects) are identified and controlled immediately—even if they were not identified in the original planning.

• Stop–check–act before every lift: exclusion zone clear, radio channel free, signal person in position, accessories intact and WLL sufficient.
• Update situational awareness during the lift: if a deviation occurs, stop, assess the cause, implement corrective action, and record the observation.
• Zero tolerance for entering the danger zone: if the exclusion zone fails → stop the lift and restore the barrier.

FAQ – Lifting safety

Is a lift plan required because of frost or crosswind?
Not by itself. A lift plan is required especially for two-crane tandem lifts and other demanding lifts. The effects of frost/crosswind are addressed as stop limits and boundary conditions for safe execution.

What is an installation crane setup record, and when is it made?
A setup record is a document that verifies the crane’s safe erection/positioning and foundation/support before lifting operations. It is made before the first lift at a new setup location, when conditions change materially, and in connection with a tandem lift.

Sources

Työturvallisuuslaki 738/2002 – Finlex: https://finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/2002/738

VNa 403/2008 – työvälineiden turvallinen käyttö – Finlex: https://finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/2008/403

VNa 205/2009 – rakennustyön turvallisuus – Finlex: https://finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/saadoskokoelma/2009/205

Työturvallisuuskeskus: Nosta turvallisesti: https://tyoturvallisuuskeskus.fi/julkaisu/nosta-turvallisesti/