I need to know the WSBC requirements for lift plans for mobile cranes

Under WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation Part 14, a mobile crane lift plan must be based on the crane being designed, assembled, inspected, maintained, and operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s manual or a professional engineer’s instructions, and the crane must meet the applicable mobile crane standard. For mobile cranes, telescoping or articulating boom trucks, or sign trucks, the applicable standards include CSA Z150-1998, ANSI/ASME B30.5-2004, or ANSI/ASME B30.22-2005. The manufacturer’s manual, or engineer’s instructions if the manual is unavailable, must be reasonably accessible and the relevant operating portions must be readily available at the workplace. This means a compliant lift plan should be built around the exact crane configuration, manufacturer limitations, and any engineered deviations from standard setup or operation. [1] [10] [14]

A critical lift plan is mandatory for every critical lift and must be available at the worksite during the lift. WorkSafeBC defines a critical lift to include, among other things, a mobile crane or boom truck lift that exceeds 90% of rated capacity at a load radius of more than 50% of maximum permitted load radius, certain tandem lifts, personnel lifting, lifts where the centre of gravity changes, lifts where sling leg lengths change, lifts over or between energized high-voltage conductors, and submerged loads. The written critical lift plan must include rigging details, wind speed limitations, maximum hoist line speed, maximum crane travel speed if applicable, load distribution, and the need for and position of signallers. A pre-job meeting must be held immediately before the lift, the plan must be communicated to all involved, the supervisor must document the meeting, the meeting must be repeated if people or equipment change, and effective communication must be maintained throughout the lift. [2] [4] [4] [4]

For tandem lifts, a written lift plan is required for every tandem lift, and if the tandem lift is a critical lift or the load is moved laterally, it must be directed by a qualified supervisor who is not operating any of the lifting equipment and who is responsible for the safe conduct of the operation. The tandem lift plan must include the same core elements as a critical lift plan: rigging details, wind limits, maximum hoist line speed, maximum crane travel speed if applicable, load distribution, and signaller requirements. If a tandem lift involves a tower crane, the lift plan must be certified by a professional engineer. [3] [3] [3] [3]

An engineered lift procedure is required whenever the lift or crane setup departs from the manufacturer’s instructions, when modifications affect rated capacity or safe operation, when the origin or rated capacity is not available, or when engineering is needed to establish safe capacity or support conditions. In those cases, a professional engineer must assess the equipment or procedure, adjust rated capacity as necessary, and certify safe use. Engineering is also specifically required for annual certification after mobile crane inspections, for certain boom inspections used in pile driving, extraction, or dynamic compaction, and for determining rated capacity when a mobile crane operates on a floating support. In practice, engineered lift procedures are appropriate for unusual picks, engineered rigging assemblies, nonstandard configurations, floating supports, heavily restricted clearances, or any lift where manufacturer documentation does not fully address the conditions. [11] [11] [8] [7]

The lift plan must address load charts and rated capacity in the exact configuration to be used. The rated capacity must be indicated on the equipment, must not be exceeded, and the operator must not move a load unless satisfied it can be handled safely. The weight of each load must be determined and communicated to the operator and the person rigging the load. If the load weight cannot be accurately determined, the crane used must have a load weight indicator or overload prevention system. Mobile cranes or boom trucks rated at 10 tonnes or more must have a device that measures and indicates hook load or disengages functions that could cause lifting beyond rated capacity. Load weighing devices, load moment indicators, and overload prevention systems must be calibrated at manufacturer-specified intervals and whenever malfunction is indicated, with calibration dates recorded. [13] [12] [12] [9] [12]

For crane setup, the crane must be level unless the manufacturer allows otherwise, and level indicating devices must be provided so the operator can determine whether the turntable or frame is level within manufacturer limits. Outrigger beams and stabilizers must be marked to show when the necessary extension has been achieved, and floats must be secured to outrigger jacks when outriggers are used. If lifting on rubber, tire type, condition, and inflation must meet manufacturer specifications. The supporting surface must be capable of safely supporting the crane and the hoisted load. If the crane is adjacent to an excavation, slope, or backfilled area, a qualified person must determine the crane location. Blocking, shoring, or cribbing must be sized and used as necessary so support loads do not exceed the bearing capacity of the supporting surface. [9] [7] [7] [7] [7] [8]

Regarding ground bearing capacity, WorkSafeBC does not prescribe a single numeric bearing value in these sections; instead, it requires the employer to ensure the supporting surface can safely support the crane and load, and to use blocking, shoring, or cribbing sized so support reactions do not exceed the bearing capacity of the ground. For practical compliance, the lift plan should identify outrigger or crawler reactions from the manufacturer’s load chart or engineering data, compare them to verified soil or structural bearing capacity, and specify mats, pads, cribbing, or engineered support systems where needed. Where the crane is near excavations, slopes, or backfilled areas, the location must be determined by a qualified person because those conditions can significantly reduce effective bearing capacity and stability. [7] [7] [8]

The lift plan must also address rigging selection and rigging control. Loads must be secured so no part can be dislodged, and tag lines or other effective means must be used when necessary to control hazardous movement or assist with positioning. The weight of the load must be communicated to the person rigging it. Rigging must meet the minimum design factors in Part 15, such as 5 for wire rope slings, synthetic web slings, synthetic roundslings, and most fibre rope slings, and 4 for alloy steel chain slings and chain fittings. A dedicated rigging assembly for a specific lift may use reduced design factors only if designed and certified by a professional engineer. Any rigging assembly used to support workers must have a design factor of at least 10. Natural fibre rope must not be used for hoisting with a powered hoist. [12] [12] [5] [5] [5]

For operator qualifications and supervision, a crane or hoist may only be operated by a qualified person who has been instructed to operate the equipment and has demonstrated competency, including familiarity with the operating instructions and the authorized code of signals. Since July 1, 2007, a mobile crane, tower crane, or boom truck must be operated only by a person holding a valid operator’s certificate issued by a person acceptable to the Board, and the operation must comply with any certificate conditions. Before each shift, the operator must ensure the crane was inspected and the control and safety devices were tested for that shift. Defects affecting safe operation must be corrected before use. The operator must have full control of the equipment whenever it is in use and must not engage in other duties while operating. [6] [6] [6] [6] [12]

A compliant mobile crane lift plan should include a hazard assessment and site-specific safety procedures even where the regulation does not prescribe a single template. At minimum, the plan should identify swing and shear hazards, worker exclusion zones, obstructions and clearance limits, nearby excavations or unstable ground, simultaneous operations, travel path hazards, wind limits, communication methods, and controls for overhead loads. WorkSafeBC requires that no person be within the range of swing or shearing movement, that equipment be positioned so moving parts stay at least 60 cm from obstructions in accessible areas unless barriers prevent entry, and that the employer or prime contractor organize other work in the area so crane operations can be carried out safely. If practicable, work must be arranged to prevent passing a load over any person. When travelling with a load, the load must be kept as close to the ground as possible, rigged to control swing, and people must be protected from the movement of the crane and load. [3] [3] [3] [4] [4]

• Identify the crane make, model, serial number, rated capacity, configuration, boom/jib length, counterweight, outrigger position, and applicable load chart for the exact lift.
• Confirm the manufacturer’s manual is on site, or engineer’s instructions if the manual is unavailable.
• Determine and document the exact load weight, pick radius, lift path, final placement, and whether the lift meets the WorkSafeBC definition of a critical lift or tandem lift.
• Verify supporting surface capacity, outrigger or support reactions, and required mats, pads, blocking, shoring, or cribbing.
• Specify rigging components, capacities, sling angles, hitch method, connection points, and tag line requirements.
• Set environmental and operational limits such as wind speed, hoist line speed, travel speed, and any restrictions on travelling with a suspended load.
• Establish exclusion zones for swing radius, counterweight, suspended load path, and pinch or shear points.
• Identify signallers, communication methods, and who has authority to stop the lift.
• Confirm operator certification, rigger competence, supervisor responsibilities, and pre-lift inspection status.
• Hold and document the pre-job meeting for critical lifts and tandem lifts, and repeat it if personnel or equipment change.
• Document any engineered requirements for nonstandard configurations, floating supports, modified equipment, dedicated rigging assemblies, or unusual ground conditions.
• Maintain inspection, maintenance, calibration, and annual engineer certification records for the crane.

[4] [12] [8] [6] In summary, WorkSafeBC expects a mobile crane lift plan to be a documented, site-specific control document that integrates manufacturer requirements, applicable standards, operator certification, pre-use inspection, verified load weight, correct load chart, stable and adequately supported setup, compliant rigging, hazard controls, communication, and documented pre-lift coordination. A written plan is expressly required for every critical lift and every tandem lift, and engineering involvement is required whenever the lift or equipment falls outside normal manufacturer-governed conditions or where the regulation specifically requires professional engineer certification. Compliance should be checked not only against the lift plan itself, but also against Part 14 and Part 15 requirements for crane standards, setup, inspection, rigging, and safe lifting practices. [4] [3] [10] [12]