An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.
What a crane lift permit is
A crane lift permit is a controlled authorisation for a lifting operation, confirming that the lift has been planned, the crane and accessories are suitable and inspected, the ground will bear the loads, and people are kept clear of the lift area. It links the lift plan to the precautions needed before the load is moved.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides which lifts need a permit and what it must record.
Purpose
- Authorise a lift only after it is planned and the equipment is suitable.
- Confirm crane configuration, load weight and accessory ratings.
- Set the exclusion zone, ground assessment and weather limits.
- Record who planned, supervised and carried out the lift.
Who completes it
- An authorised issuer working with the appointed person for the lift.
- The crane operator, slinger and supervisor, who accept the conditions.
- A competent person plans complex lifts.
- The employer decides who is competent to plan, supervise and carry out lifts.
When it is used
- Before a lifting operation, particularly complex or higher-risk lifts.
- When the load, crane position or environment needs careful control.
- For a stated period, with weather and ground checks kept up.
- Whenever the employer’s system designates the lift as permit-controlled.
Typical fields
- Permit number, lift description, load weight and lift radius.
- Crane type, configuration and rated capacity at the radius.
- Lifting accessories, their ratings and inspection status.
- Ground assessment, outrigger spread and exclusion zone.
- Issuer, appointed person and operator signatures, and completion sign-off.
- Example fields only — adapt to the lift and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Lifting without a plan or beyond the crane’s rated capacity at radius.
- Ground that cannot bear the outrigger or track loads.
- No exclusion zone, so people are under or near the suspended load.
- Lifting on in unsafe wind or poor visibility.
Document workflow
A crane lift permit is typically raised under the permit to work system after a risk assessment and a lift plan, and may sit alongside a working at height permit where people access the load at height, and a vehicle access permit for the crane’s movement on site.
See the related documents below for what is commonly required before, used with and completed after a crane lift permit.
Retention (high level)
Completed crane lift permits are usually kept for a period afterwards as a record of how the lift was controlled, in line with the employer’s obligations and data-protection duties. This page does not state a period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Crane lift permits are commonly completed, signed and stored as PDFs alongside the lift plan. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make the permit official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Define which lifts need a permit and require a suitable lift plan.
- Ensure crane, accessories and competence match the lift.
- Assess ground bearing and set a clear exclusion zone.
- Keep completed permits and inspection records together as evidence.
Worker notes
- Do not lift without a valid permit, a plan and inspected accessories.
- Stay out of the exclusion zone and never under a suspended load.
- Stop the lift if wind, ground or visibility fall outside the limits.
Country considerations
Rules on lifting operations, equipment and competence vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee of validity.
Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for safe lifting operations, the competence of the lift team, and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not authorise any lift and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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