Lifting and Rigging Policy

Caliber Construction Alaska Lifting and Rigging Policy

Purpose: Caliber Construction Alaska is committed to ensuring the safety of its employees and the integrity of its operations during lifting and rigging activities. This policy aims to establish guidelines and procedures to minimize the risk of accidents, injuries, and property damage associated with lifting and rigging operations.

Scope: This policy applies to all Caliber Construction Alaska employees involved in or overseeing lifting and rigging operations, including supervisors, operators, riggers, signalpersons, and maintenance personnel.

Responsibilities:

Management:

  • Management is responsible for providing adequate resources, training, and supervision to ensure compliance with this policy.
  • Management will ensure that lifting and rigging equipment is properly maintained, inspected, and replaced when necessary.

Supervisors:

  • Supervisors are responsible for enforcing this policy and ensuring that all lifting and rigging operations are conducted safely and in accordance with established procedures.
  • Supervisors will provide appropriate training and guidance to employees involved in lifting and rigging activities.

Employees:

  • All employees are responsible for familiarizing themselves with this policy and following its guidelines during lifting and rigging operations.
  • Employees must report any unsafe conditions or concerns related to lifting and rigging equipment or procedures to their supervisor immediately.

General Guidelines:

Equipment Inspection:

  • All lifting and rigging equipment, including slings, shackles, hooks, and chains, must be inspected before each use to ensure it is in good condition and free from defects.
  • Defective or damaged equipment must be immediately removed from service and replaced.

Safe Working Load (SWL):

  • The SWL of lifting and rigging equipment must never be exceeded.
  • Employees must be familiar with the SWL of all equipment being used and ensure that loads do not exceed these limits.

Load Handling:

  • Loads must be properly secured, balanced, and rigged to prevent shifting or falling during lifting operations.
  • Employees must maintain a safe distance from loads and avoid working directly underneath suspended loads.

Communication:

  • Clear and effective communication is essential during lifting and rigging operations.
  • Signalpersons must use standardized hand signals or radio communication to communicate with equipment operators.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

  • All personnel involved in lifting and rigging operations must wear appropriate PPE, including hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots.

Environmental Conditions:

  • Lifting and rigging operations should be conducted in favorable weather conditions whenever possible.
  • Employees must be aware of environmental factors such as wind, rain, snow, and temperature extremes that may affect the safety of lifting operations.

Training and Qualifications:

  • Only trained and qualified personnel are permitted to operate lifting equipment, rig loads, or act as signalpersons.
  • Training must cover equipment operation, rigging techniques, load calculations, and safety procedures.

Documentation:

  • Records of equipment inspections, maintenance, and training must be kept up-to-date and readily available for review.

Emergency Procedures:

In the event of an emergency or equipment malfunction during lifting and rigging operations, employees must follow established emergency procedures, including:

  • Immediately stopping operations.
  • Notifying the supervisor or designated safety personnel.
  • Evacuating the area if necessary.

Policy Review:

This lifting and rigging policy will be reviewed annually to ensure its effectiveness and relevance to current operations. Any necessary updates or revisions will be made to reflect changes in equipment, regulations, or industry best practices.

By adhering to this policy, Caliber Construction Alaska aims to maintain a safe working environment for all employees involved in lifting and rigging operations while upholding the highest standards of safety and professionalism.