Originally Posted by: Brown900431

I've had a conversation today with one of our contractors about the contents of their lift plan and I wondered if anyone could help.

In particular I'm thinking about specific details about how the load is to be slung, eg what the configuration of slings/chains should be, what lifting points should be used, lifting accessories like spreader beams etc.

I'm not trained in any aspect of lifting but I always believed that the lift plan should tell the operator how they were expected to do the job, our contractor believes that the should leave the decision about how to sling the load to the discretion of the slinger/operator as they are competent.

Can anyone help?

If in doubt check out BS7121-1:2016 as others have mentioned. The appointed person has overall responsibility. BS7121 extracts:

16.1.1 The appointed person should plan how the load is to be slung. Details should be recorded in the lift plan.

6.2.2.2 The slinger-signaller should be responsible for:
a) carrying out pre-use and post-use checks of lifting accessories;
b) attaching and detaching the load to and from the crane load-lifting attachment; and c) using the correct lifting accessories and other equipment in accordance with the lift plan.

perhaps you want to become involved in the procurement of such services in the future to indicate that it's important that elements are addressed in advance, and sufficient budget is allocated in terms of time on the job up front for communication and development / circulation of documents.

perhaps as a seperate item with specification so you can ensure sufficient time and consideration goes into the prices and attention allocated to your requirements, (including design, documentation, and testing of components, fittings and bolts etc to be lifted)

attention to things like to bolts into concrete, fittings and fixtures for threaded bolts etc, perhaps requiring some sort of access to a structural engineering consultant so can confirm whether assumptions to be done "later by others" were/are valid and can be discussed upfront, rather than relying on a on the day assessment by the people involved in the job and their additional equipment brought with them.

there was a presentation that i attended at the local iosh branch by mammoet, perhaps a scoping excercise to discuss how some organisations procure in a way that makes it easy for a contractor to give the customer what they want and cut through tender-ese to the specifics you really want to be dealt with prior, and levels of the organisations available for discussions up-front. (prior pre-contract discussions)