The Importance of Planning
Speaking during the World Crane & Transport Summit, held Nov. 7-8, 2017 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Keith Anderson, Chief Rigging Engineer for Bechtel Equipment Operations, addressed the importance of lift planning.
Anderson acknowledged how easy it is to move forward with making a lift without a fully developed plan. In the real world, unexpected lifting tasks arise all the time. But before proceeding, he advises that you ask plenty of questions so you can confidently select the right people and equipment for the job. However, the real key to success is developing a plan based on accurate information.
Anderson says that plans should emerge by following a logical sequence:
- Identify the task.
- Create ideas for accomplishing the task.
- Document the solution.
- Review the solution and conduct risk assessment.
- Communicate the plan.
- Review actual setup and monitor throughout the lift.
Two key takeaways from his presentation are valuable for anyone involved in lifting tasks.
Often the first idea for accomplishing the lifting task is not the best. When faced with a spur of the moment lift, avoid being pressured to make a knee-jerk decision or to cut corners. Take the time to fully understand the problem.
When developing a solution to accomplishing the lift, the plan should always be a joint venture between those who are engineering the lift and those who are executing it.
Listen to Anderson’s presentation here.