Computerise to organise

In the 10 years that computer-generated plans have been available, two different forms of software have emerged to serve different needs.

One focuses on crane “capacity optimisation”, with a powerful crane and capacity database and elementary graphics used to produce a lift sketch. This type of software is useful for crane dispatchers, and is generally offered by the crane manufacturers.

The other type of crane lift planning software is targeted at the refinery and industrial sectors. These facilities tend to have plot plans and equipment drawings already prepared in AutoCAD, and need an AutoCAD based lift planning tool to plan a lift in detail. A library of rigging elements is generally included in the software.

Because several vendors produce lift-planning software, it makes sense to compare features to determine the best product for your particular circumstances.

Once you’ve chosen your tool, you can begin to reap the benefits. Safely executing a complex lift requires the co-ordination of several disciplines within and outside your company. A carefully prepared lift plan can facilitate this co-ordination, and serve as the hub of a communication wheel (Figure 1).

Consider how a computer-generated lift plan such as that shown in Figure 2 serves to co-ordinate the members of the lift team:

• Riggers – The diagram is handed to the riggers who will be gathering the chokers, spreader bar, and shackles from inventory. The “Rigging Detail” makes the riggers’ mission clear – they know the weight, size, and type of each piece of rigging equipment needed, as well as how it will be configured.

• Crane operator – The crane operator is interested in the setup location, percentage of lift capacity, and potential obstacles. From viewing the plan, the operator can see whether the crane is located in a congested area. He can identify the available tail swing and boom radius, and the load’s weight. The example in Figure 2 also provides a lift capacity chart for a 100t capacity crane, so the operator can determine he will be lifting at 78.8% capacity.

• Client – A client who only occasionally works with cranes may benefit more from the isometric view, which is clearer for a layman than the plan or elevation view. An additional communication tool is on-screen simulation, where the crane lifts, swings, booms out, and lowers the load onto a trailer. If the lift is complicated, a series of diagrams may be prepared to step through key phases.

• Marketing people – Consider a situation where a 165t hydraulic crane will be called upon to perform several lifts. The client has gone out for bid and several crane vendors attempt to represent their crane to the customer as the best choice. One of the salesmen stands out as being especially well prepared. He presents a book showing a series of lift plans and photographs of the executed lift on the facing page. As he reviews the lifts, the potential customer begins to recognise the predictive value that this crane company is offering with the lift planning tools. This salesman has “differentiated” his offering.

• Lift personnel – Modern safety programs often emphasise communication through “tool box” or pre-job meetings. The premise of these meetings is that proper understanding of work about to be undertaken (and hazards) will lead to safe conduct and accident avoidance. The properly prepared lift plan can be reviewed at these pre-job meetings. All the participants in the lift have a chance to ask questions, and perhaps make improvements to the plan. Over a period of years, this pre-job communication will lower the number of accidents and injuries. Fewer accidents and injuries result in lower insurance premiums.

• Insurance agent — You may need to adjust your insurance coverage for a lift of a multi-million dollar load. Your insurance agent will recognise that the lift planning tools will help make complex lifts more understandable and safer. Your agent can use the lift plan to help to approve your increased coverage requirements.

As time passes and the discipline of following the lift plan becomes second nature, your corporate efficiency and safety awareness will increase, and the accidents within the company should decrease.

So if you have been looking for a “central” document tool to organise your efforts, gain a marketing advantage, co-ordinate risk management, and perhaps even help towards quality certification, I would strongly recommend that you explore what lift planning packages have to offer.