Every lift project needs a well-trained lift team, and every lift team needs a trustworthy, dependable, and experienced lift director who’s experienced in executing safe and efficient lifting operations. If you’re undertaking a lift project, it’s essential to have a lift director who possesses all the qualities above. Therefore, selecting the right person for the role is something that you should take very seriously.
The Job of a Lift Director
According to protocol B30.5 of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a lift director is responsible for the following things:
Stopping lifting operations immediately if the working conditions have become unsafe.
Ensuring that each member of the team has a firm understanding of their responsibilities as well as the potential hazards of the job.
Designating crane spotters and signal people and ensuring that they meet the required standards.
Ensuring that the rigging is performed by qualified personnel.
Checking the site to ensure that its adequately prepared prior to the commencement of operations.
Ensuring that crane(s) meet or exceed the load requirements required by the job.
Ensuring that all the equipment required for a safe and efficient operation is present on the site.
Only permitting operations near power lines after certain precautions have been taken, and certain requirements have been met.
Enforcing special lifting precautions.
Verifying that all the required traffic controls are in place.
OSHA Requirements the Responsibilities of a Lift Director
OSHA regulations strictly dictate that a lift director needs to be assigned for every lifting project. Companies and contractors that fail to abide by this rule can face severe consequences, including serious penalties and even criminal charges. OSHA 1926.1432 specifically covers a multitude of lifts and states that “The multiple-crane/derrick lift must be directed by a person who meets the criteria for both a competent person and a qualified person, or by a competent person who is assisted by one or more qualified persons (lift director)”.
Lift directors have also been referred to as the “lead person” on a rigging crew by OSHA. They’re able to take disciplinary actions and make executive decisions when evaluating a lift plan. To put it simply, the lift director carries the most responsibility in a lift team, which is why it’s important to choose a well-trained and experienced one for the job.
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