Posted By Rich E Hi, We make what are essentially large metal boxes which range from 1m wide to 2m wide, about 0.6m deep and 1.5m high. These usually weigh 300-400kg. I found that it has become common for dispatch people to load these onto our flatbed wagon on their own, which is a bit concerning, and checking our own procedures found that we have specified that three people must be involved. I would agree with our dispatch manager that three is a bit overkill, but one is not acceptable. LOLER seems vague about this (of course), but assessing the task, two people would seem to be reasonable (one to secure and operate the crane, and one to guide the load onto the wagon) in practice we cannot see what a third person would achieve. I would appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.

Posted By Rich E Thanks for the reply. I think there are probably some training issues in the area as well, which will be part of the review I am doing.

Posted By GWP Update your risk assessment and method statements, use the people involved in the operation, not only the manager/supervisor. Due to the size and weights of the product a lifting plan with drawings may be required. I hope this helps. GWP

Posted By Pete48 Rich, 1. make sure you get back to operating to your own procedure until you or the procedure owner have agreed it can change. Most lifting accidents tend to have serious consequences for those involved. What if an accident happens tomorrow and the lack of the second and third man are determined as causal? How long have you and the manager known about the problem and what have you done/what could you reasonably do to correct the failure? 2. Raise hell about why they are not operating a safety critical procedure as defined, who authorised (or turned a blind eye to) the changes to the working practice and why. There should be no excuses, even if it never worked, why hasn't it been revised? What are employees who should have been trained and tested on their competence to safely manage lifts doing working outside agreed parameters? Or has the training, certification and on-going audit process also failed here? 2. Research as fully and quickly as you can why 3 were specified. It is unlikely to have been a whim and may be necessary to maintain safety around the lift as well as the safety of the lift. That is, hopefully, the decision was made by a competent person (in planning safe lifting) and should contain the reasons for the manning levels. Looking at what tasks the procedure assigns to each of the three might be a starting point? I do not think anyone on this forum can give you advice about numbers required since this will depend entirely on an assessment of the detail of your workplace, type of lifting equipment, works layout and methods. Remember that LOLER requires that the work is planned, organised and performed by competent people. Who are your competent people?