For Tier 1 Contractors
Lift Plan Checking Service
Independent Appointed Person review of lift plans submitted by subcontractors, crane hire companies, and suppliers. We ensure every lifting operation on your site is LOLER compliant before work begins.
Turnaround
AP Review
Approved
Why You Need Independent Lift Plan Checking
As a principal contractor, you have duties under CDM 2015 to ensure safe systems of work on your site. This includes the lifting operations carried out by your subcontractors and suppliers.
But how do you know if the lift plans you receive are actually adequate?
Common Problems We Find
A lift plan that looks professional can still contain fundamental errors. Independent checking catches problems before they become incidents.
What We Review
Technical Accuracy
- ✓Crane/equipment capacity verified against manufacturer data
- ✓Load weight and centre of gravity correctly assessed
- ✓Radii and heights properly calculated
- ✓Configuration (boom length, counterweight, etc.) appropriate
- ✓Ground bearing loads calculated and addressed
Regulatory Compliance
- ✓LOLER requirements met
- ✓BS 7121 principles applied (where relevant)
- ✓Equipment thorough examination referenced
- ✓Lifting accessories properly specified
Risk Assessment Quality
- ✓All foreseeable hazards identified
- ✓Control measures adequate
- ✓Residual risk acceptable
- ✓Site-specific factors addressed
Method Statement Workability
- ✓Step-by-step procedure logical and complete
- ✓Matches the lift plan drawing
- ✓Roles and responsibilities clear
- ✓Communication arrangements specified
What You Receive
Check Report
A clear summary identifying:
- • Issues found with explanations
- • Required amendments
- • Recommendations for improvement
The Checking Process
Submission
You send us the lift plan package: lift plan drawing, risk assessment, method statement, and equipment certificates.
Review
Our CPCS Appointed Person reviews the complete package, verifies calculations, and assesses adequacy.
Report
You receive a clear check report within 24 hours with approval status and detailed findings.
Re-submission
If amendments are required, the subcontractor revises and resubmits for verification.
Who Uses This Service?
Tier 1 Main Contractors
You're receiving lift plans from multiple subcontractors and suppliers daily.
- ✓ Confidence that lifting operations are properly planned
- ✓ Documented due diligence
- ✓ Reduced risk of incidents and enforcement action
- ✓ Consistent standards across all subcontractors
Project Managers
You need to sign off lift plans but may not have the technical expertise to verify the detail.
- ✓ Expert review supporting your approval decisions
- ✓ Clear reports you can understand and act on
- ✓ Technical backup when challenging subcontractor submissions
Health & Safety Managers
You're responsible for site safety but can't be an expert in every discipline.
- ✓ Specialist lift planning expertise on tap
- ✓ Independent verification of subcontractor competence
- ✓ Evidence of robust checking systems
What Makes a Good Lift Plan?
Through thousands of lift plan reviews, we've identified what separates good lift plans from poor ones:
Good Lift Plans Have:
- ✓Clear drawings showing equipment position, radii, and load path to scale
- ✓Verified capacity with specific duty chart references
- ✓Ground assessment addressing actual site conditions
- ✓Complete risk assessments covering equipment-specific and site-specific hazards
- ✓Workable method statements that match the drawing
Poor Lift Plans Often Have:
- ✗Generic content copied without site-specific adaptation
- ✗Missing calculations or "calculations available on request"
- ✗Assumed ground conditions without verification requirements
- ✗Incomplete risk assessments missing obvious hazards
- ✗Method statements that don't provide useful guidance
We don't just check boxes - we assess whether the lift plan will actually work safely on your site.
Service Options
Per-Plan Checking
Individual lift plan reviews charged per submission. Ideal for:
- • Occasional checking requirements
- • Specific complex lifts
- • Projects with few lifting operations
Retained Service
Agreed monthly fee for unlimited lift plan checking. Ideal for:
- • Large projects with frequent submissions
- • Multi-site operations
- • Long-term contractor relationships
On-Site Presence
CPCS Appointed Person attendance at your site for:
- • Real-time lift plan review
- • Pre-lift briefings
- • Complex operation supervision
- • Lifting operations audits
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can you turn around a lift plan check?
Standard service is 24 hours from receipt of complete documentation. Urgent same-day review is available for critical path operations - just let us know when you submit.
What if a lift plan fails your check?
We provide a clear report explaining what's wrong and what's needed to fix it. The subcontractor amends their submission and resubmits. We verify the amendments (included in the original check fee for straightforward issues).
Do you check lift plans from all crane companies?
Yes. We're independent of any crane hire company, so we review submissions from any supplier objectively. Some crane companies provide better documentation than others - we assess each submission on its merits.
What if I disagree with my subcontractor about a lift plan?
We can provide independent assessment and, if needed, explain our findings directly to your subcontractor. Having an independent expert view often resolves disputes efficiently.
Get Started
Contact us to discuss your lift plan checking requirements.