Before a crane lifts a load weighing several tons, someone must answer some essential questions: How much does it weigh? Where is its center of gravity? What equipment is needed? What path will the load follow? And, most importantly, what could go wrong?

These questions cannot be left until the load is already suspended.

That is why a lift plan is essential. It helps organize the operation, assess potential hazards, and establish how the lift will be performed safely. But who should prepare it: the rigger, the crane operator, the supervisor, or an engineer?

The answer depends on the complexity of the lift, each person’s qualifications, and the applicable regulations. Let’s look at everyone’s responsibilities and why proper planning can make the difference between a controlled operation and a serious accident.

What is a lift plan?

A lift plan is a technical document that describes how a load will be lifted, moved, and positioned using a crane or other lifting equipment.

Its purpose is to identify the resources required, anticipate hazards, and establish the conditions needed to carry out the lift safely.

Depending on the operation, a lift plan may include:

• Load weight and dimensions.
• Center of gravity and lifting points.
• Type and capacity of the lifting equipment.
• Crane configuration and operating radius.
• Selection of slings, shackles, and other rigging accessories.
• Load distribution and sling angles.
• Load travel path and landing location.
• Ground conditions and nearby obstacles.
• Hazard identification and control measures.
• Responsibilities of the rigger, crane operator, signal person, and supervisor.
• Communication methods and conditions requiring the operation to stop.

Not every lift requires the same level of documentation. A routine lift may need a relatively straightforward plan, while a complex or high-risk operation may require engineering calculations, drawings, technical verification, and additional approvals.

The key is to match the level of planning to the actual risks of the operation and the applicable requirements.

Who is responsible for preparing the lift plan?

In general, a lift plan should be prepared by a competent person who has been assigned that responsibility and has sufficient knowledge of the load, equipment, rigging accessories, hazards, and operating conditions.

For complex lifts, an experienced lifting engineer may need to participate, or the plan may require review and approval by qualified technical personnel.

The exact responsibilities depend on local regulations, company procedures, and project requirements.

1. The Lift Planner or Qualified Person

This person is responsible for organizing the technical aspects of the lift and determining how the operation will be carried out.

Their responsibilities may include:

• Gathering accurate information about the load.
• Selecting suitable lifting equipment.
• Verifying the crane’s capacity for the planned configuration and working conditions.
• Defining the rigging method.
• Assessing hazards and establishing control measures.
• Determining the load’s travel path.
• Coordinating the personnel involved in the lift.

For a complex lift, the planner must have the technical knowledge needed to evaluate the operation. When engineering calculations are required, they should be performed or verified by professionals with the appropriate qualifications and authorization.

2. The Rigger

The rigger plays an essential role because they understand rigging accessories and are directly involved in preparing the load.

They can provide critical information when developing the lift plan, including:

• The location and condition of lifting points.
• Suitable types of slings and shackles.
• Sling angles and load distribution.
• The need to protect rigging accessories from sharp edges.
• Potential load movement or stability issues.

However, being a rigger does not automatically qualify someone to prepare and approve every type of lift plan. That responsibility depends on their training, demonstrated competence, and authorization within the organization.

Their hands-on experience should be combined with a proper technical assessment of the lift.

3. The Crane Operator

The crane operator understands the capabilities and limitations of the equipment they will operate.

Their input helps verify factors such as:

• Crane capacity for the planned configuration.
• Operating radius.
• Boom length and angle, where applicable.
• Ground support and stability conditions.
• Visibility and communication during the lift.
• Equipment operating limitations.

The operator must not assume that a crane can safely lift a load simply because its nominal capacity appears sufficient. The allowable capacity depends on the configuration and the conditions specified by the manufacturer.

The operator must also communicate any condition that could prevent the lift from being performed safely.

4. The Signal Person

The signal person coordinates movement instructions with the crane operator whenever signaling is required.

Although the signal person is not usually the sole person responsible for preparing the lift plan, their participation is important in determining how communication will be maintained and how load movement will be controlled.

Before the lift begins, they should understand the agreed-upon signals, the planned travel path, the hazard zones, and the conditions that require the operation to stop.

If communication is lost or the signal person cannot confirm that a movement is safe, the appropriate stop-work procedure must be followed.

5. The Supervisor or Person in Charge

The supervisor coordinates resources and verifies that the operation follows the lift plan, internal procedures, and applicable safety requirements.

Their responsibilities may include:

• Confirming that assigned personnel are competent to perform their tasks.
• Verifying that suitable equipment and rigging accessories are available.
• Coordinating work-area controls.
• Ensuring that preventive measures are in place.
• Managing the plan’s review and approval process according to established procedures.

A supervisor may approve the plan if they have the necessary qualifications and authority. Holding a supervisory title alone does not automatically qualify someone to validate the technical aspects of a complex lift.

Does a lift plan have to be prepared by an engineer?

Not necessarily. It depends on the type of lift.

The need for an engineer depends on the complexity of the operation, the calculations required, project procedures, and applicable regulations.

For routine lifts, a competent and properly authorized person may be responsible for preparing the plan, provided all applicable requirements are met.

A complex lift, on the other hand, may require engineering involvement, specialized calculations, and a formal technical review.

This may be the case when lifting oversized loads, performing tandem lifts with multiple cranes, working in severely restricted spaces, or developing specialized solutions to ensure load stability.

The rule is simple: the more complex the lift, the greater the need for technical analysis and verification.

Do not assume that every lift has the same requirements or that a generic document is sufficient for every operation.

Who should review and approve the lift plan?

Preparing, reviewing, and approving a lift plan are different responsibilities, although the same qualified and authorized person may perform more than one of these functions in some organizations.

For operations requiring engineering, the relevant calculations and designs must be reviewed by personnel with the appropriate qualifications. Formal approval should come from the person or role authorized by the project.

The plan does not eliminate the responsibility of the people performing the lift. If conditions change or an unanticipated hazard appears, the team must stop and reassess the situation.

What can happen if a lift is performed without an adequate plan?

When a lift begins without sufficient planning, hazards may go unnoticed until the load is already moving.

Potential problems include:

• Selecting a crane with insufficient capacity for the planned configuration.
• Using unsuitable slings or shackles.
• Distributing forces incorrectly across rigging accessories.
• Losing load stability because the center of gravity was not identified.
• Striking structures, equipment, or power lines.
• Exposing workers to a suspended load.
• Losing control of the operation because of poor communication.

These risks cannot be eliminated simply by filling out a form. The plan must be based on reliable information, suitable equipment, competent personnel, and controls that can actually be implemented at the worksite.

A well-presented document does not guarantee a safe lift if its information is incorrect or the actual conditions do not match the plan.

What should be checked before executing a lift plan?

Before the operation begins, the responsible team should confirm that the lift can be performed as planned.

The verification process should include:

• The load’s weight has been confirmed using reliable information.
• The center of gravity and lifting points have been identified.
• The crane and its configuration have been verified.
• Slings, shackles, and other rigging accessories are suitable and inspected.
• Equipment and accessory capacities have been verified for the intended conditions of use.
• Ground conditions, support requirements, and the surrounding area have been assessed.
• The load’s travel path has been defined and obstacles identified.
• An exclusion zone has been established.
• The rigger, operator, signal person, and supervisor understand their responsibilities.
• Communication methods and signals have been agreed upon.
• A procedure for stopping the operation has been established.
• The plan has been reviewed and approved when required.

If critical information is missing, equipment capacity is uncertain, or working conditions are unsafe, the lift must not begin until the issue has been resolved.

Conclusion: A safe lift plan starts with clear responsibilities

So, who should prepare the lift plan?

It should be prepared by a competent person assigned to that responsibility, with input from the professionals who understand the load, the equipment, and the operating conditions. Depending on the complexity of the lift, engineering involvement and a formal technical review or approval may also be required.

The rigger contributes knowledge of rigging accessories and load attachment. The crane operator verifies the crane’s capabilities and operating limitations. The signal person helps maintain clear communication, while the supervisor coordinates the operation and its safety controls.

Each role matters, but their responsibilities are not automatically interchangeable.

Lift safety does not begin when the crane raises the load. It begins much earlier, when the team assesses hazards, verifies resources, and determines how the operation will be performed.

Plan, verify, and communicate before lifting. That’s the foundation of a safe and responsible lifting operation.