Planning the Lift Toolbox Talk

A lift can go wrong fast when the crew does not plan it first. Heavy, awkward, or unstable materials can shift, fall, strike workers, damage property, or cause serious strains when the route, weight, equipment, and communication are not worked out ahead of time.

This talk focuses on planning the lift before anyone picks up, rigs, carries, or moves a load. The goal is to make sure the crew knows what is being lifted, how it will be moved, who is involved, and when to stop.

Why This Matters

• Planning helps prevent dropped loads, crushed hands, back injuries, and struck-by incidents.
• Workers are less likely to improvise once the load is already in motion.
• Checking the route ahead of time helps avoid trips, slips, tight turns, and blocked access.
• Using the right equipment reduces strain and keeps the load under control.
• Clear communication keeps everyone moving together and out of the danger zone.

Common Hazards

• Lifting without knowing the weight, size, shape, or balance point of the load.
• Using a cart, dolly, forklift, hoist, sling, or strap that is not rated for the load.
• Carrying materials across uneven ground, mud, gravel, ramps, stairs, or cluttered floors.
• Moving loads through tight doorways, blind corners, overhead obstructions, or active work areas.
• Not assigning a lead person to call commands during a team lift.
• Starting the lift before workers have proper gloves, footing, grip, and body position.
• Setting the load down in an area that is not ready, level, or strong enough to support it.
• Changing the plan halfway through because another crew, delivery truck, or piece of equipment blocks the route.

Safety Checklist

Before Work Begins

• Identify the load weight using labels, delivery tickets, drawings, manufacturer markings, or known material weights.
• Check the load for sharp edges, loose parts, moisture, debris, or anything that could shift.
• Decide whether the lift should be done by hand, team lift, cart, dolly, forklift, hoist, or crane.
• Confirm all equipment, rigging, straps, hooks, and attachment points are rated and in good condition.
• Walk the travel path and remove cords, scrap, tools, hoses, trash, and stored materials.
• Check for slopes, soft ground, floor openings, stairs, overhead lines, low ceilings, and blind spots.
• Assign roles for the lift, including who leads, who spots, who signals, and who keeps others clear.
• Prepare the landing area before the load moves.

During Work

• Use clear commands before lifting, moving, turning, stopping, and setting the load down.
• Keep workers out of the drop zone and away from pinch points.
• Move slowly enough to stay in control and avoid sudden turns or stops.
• Keep the load close to the body during manual lifts when possible.
• Use tag lines, spotters, or guide points when visibility is limited or the load may swing.
• Stop and reset if anyone loses grip, footing, balance, visibility, or communication.
• Set the load down slowly and make sure hands and feet are clear before release.

Crew Talking Points

• What loads are we moving today that need a lift plan?
• Do we know the weight and center of gravity of each load?
• What equipment or extra help is needed to move the load safely?
• What hazards are along the route from pickup to setdown?
• Who is leading the lift and calling the commands?
• Does anyone have questions, concerns, or a safer way to complete the lift?

Stop Work If

• The load weight is unknown or appears too heavy for the planned method.
• The equipment, rigging, or attachment point is damaged, missing a rating, or not suited for the load.
• The travel path is blocked, unstable, slippery, too narrow, or not strong enough.
• Workers are standing under the load, in the drop zone, or near pinch points.
• The load shifts, tilts, binds, swings, or becomes hard to control.
• The crew cannot hear, see, or understand the lift commands.

Final Reminder

A safe lift starts before the load moves. Plan the weight, route, equipment, people, and setdown point before anyone lifts.