HSE ACOP L113 Safe use of lifting equipment paragraph 229, covering the LOLER regulations, gives guidance and defines the requirement of appropriate supervision as:

"‘Appropriate supervision’ means that it should be proportionate to the risk and take into account the personnel involved in the particular lifting operation such as those with disabilities and the inexperienced. Levels of supervision are determined by the nature of the work, and the competence of those involved in using the equipment and assisting with the lifting operation. It does not mean, for example, that an experienced forklift truck driver will have to be under direct supervision every time they carry out a routine lift (but they may need to be supervised if they are required to lift an unusual load), or that an occupier of an office block has to provide a person to supervise the operation of a passenger lift."

A person experienced in that task might not need supervision for every lift. Your risk assessment, the hazards present and the competence of the drivers at each of the different sites and areas should set the requirement for this.

Regards

Mathew

Edited by user 25 September 2024 12:54:13(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Thanks Mathew & Peter for your quick responses.

We have been on many sites and have never been asked for a crane or lift supervisor before. It is a repetitive, low-level lift, perhaps lifting and turning the concrete block no more than 200mm and 1 meter radius to position it in its final location, and yes, a PC has requested that we have a lift supervisor present.

From your responses I think we need to revisit our risk assessment and lift plans, and to cover the PC’s that require lift supervisors undertake additional training for team members.

Thanks Again

Karan

On what possible grounds would you advise against using a telehandler for what the OP is talking about?

Do you realise that excavators used ss cranes has created enough issues for the HSE to have published a Guidance Note to deal with some of the common poor practices? [AI might not find that Guidance Note]