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 lifting plan form is
A lifting plan form is a planning document for a lifting operation. It records the load and its weight, the lifting equipment, the method and sequence, and the roles of those involved, so the lift is planned rather than improvised.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template and not jurisdiction-specific — the employer and the appointed competent person decide what a lifting plan must cover.
Purpose
- Plan a lifting operation so it can be carried out safely.
- Record the load, equipment, method and people involved.
- Identify hazards specific to the lift and the controls for them.
- Provide a basis for briefing the lifting team.
Who completes it
- A competent person appointed to plan the lift.
- With input from those carrying out the lift.
- The employer decides who plans and supervises lifting operations.
- It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the planner is competent.
When it is used
- Before a lifting operation, particularly a complex or unusual one.
- When the load, equipment, location or team changes.
- Where a standard approach is not enough for the lift.
Typical fields
- Description of the load and its weight and centre of gravity.
- Lifting equipment, accessories and their capacity.
- Method, sequence and exclusion zones.
- Roles: planner, supervisor, operator, slinger or signaller.
- Hazards, controls and reference to the risk assessment.
- Example fields only — adapt to the lift and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Planning a lift without confirming the load weight.
- Using equipment beyond its rated capacity.
- Unclear roles, so no one is in control of the lift.
- Not re-planning when the lift or conditions change.
Document workflow
A lifting plan form draws on the risk assessment and the equipment’s examination records, and leads into a task briefing for the lifting team and the pre-use checks of the lifting equipment. Where high-risk, it may sit alongside a permit. The plan is the document the lift is briefed and carried out against.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with a lifting plan form.
Retention (high level)
Lifting plans are usually kept for a period set by the employer alongside the related examination and assessment records. This page does not state a required period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Lifting plans are often completed and stored as PDFs so they can be briefed and filed with the lift’s records. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make the plan official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Ensure the lift is planned by a competent person.
- Confirm load weight and equipment capacity before the lift.
- Make roles and the person in control clear.
- Re-plan when the lift or conditions change.
Worker notes
- Be clear on your role and the method before the lift.
- Follow the exclusion zones and signals.
- Stop and raise it if anything does not match the plan.
Country considerations
Requirements for planning and supervising lifting operations 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 legal advice.
Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for ensuring lifting operations are properly planned, supervised and carried out by competent people, and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not determine what your plan must contain 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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