A lifting operations method statement under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) is the document that turns a crane lift, telehandler lift, or other lifting operation into a planned, supervised, named-roles sequence. LOLER regulation 8 requires every lifting operation to be properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised, and carried out in a safe manner. The method statement is the primary written evidence that those three duties have been discharged.
LOLER 1998 (SI 1998/2307) sets the statutory duties; BS 7121 (Code of practice for safe use of cranes) is the UK code that operationalises them. BS 7121 Part 1 covers general principles, Part 3 covers mobile cranes, Part 5 covers tower cranes, Part 11 covers offshore. The method statement should cite the relevant BS 7121 part for the lift class and demonstrate compliance — the appointed person (AP), crane supervisor, slinger / signaller and crane operator roles all derive from BS 7121.
The HSE position is that for any lift other than a simple lift with a basic crane, BS 7121 compliance is the minimum standard expected. Reviewers cite the relevant part by clause number.
BS 7121 requires an Appointed Person (AP) for every lift — competent (typically CPCS A61 or equivalent), responsible for the lift plan, the selection of equipment, the calculation of loads and the supervision arrangements. The lift plan covers: the load (weight, centre of gravity, attachment points), the lifting equipment (crane capacity at the required radius, derating for boom configuration), the slings and accessories (WLL, certification, inspection), the ground bearing capacity (often the most commonly missed item), and the lift sequence.
For lifts categorised as 'complex' (multi-crane, blind, over occupied buildings, near live services) the AP must produce a written lift plan and the lift is supervised by a dedicated crane supervisor — not the operator and not the AP.
Most UK crane incidents that result in HSE investigation have a ground-bearing root cause. The method statement has to record the calculated outrigger or track loading (typically expressed in kN/m2), the ground bearing capacity (from a desktop ground investigation or, for higher-risk lifts, a CBR test), and the proposed packing — outrigger mats, crane mats, or piled platform. Where the calculated loading exceeds the bearing capacity, the lift cannot proceed without an engineered piled platform designed by a temporary works designer.
Reviewers expect numbers, not assertions. 'Ground is suitable' is not enough; the document should show the maximum outrigger load in kN and the demonstrated bearing capacity in kN/m2.
Regulation 8(1)(c) of LOLER requires the lifting operation to be carried out 'in a safe manner'. In practice that means an exclusion zone (defined by the load swing radius plus a margin), barriers and signage, a slinger / signaller in radio communication with the operator (BS 7121 standard hand signals as backup), and a clearly named person responsible for the exclusion zone. For lifts near power lines, the zone derives from the SfS GS6 distances; for lifts over occupied buildings or public highway, the lift is treated as complex and requires written sign-off from the principal contractor and frequently the local authority highway department.
The numbered sections a reviewer expects to see, in order.
BS 7121 lift classification — basic, intermediate or complex. Drives the level of planning and supervision required.
Appointed person (AP), crane supervisor, crane operator, slinger / signaller — names, CPCS / CITB cards, expiry dates.
Weight, centre of gravity, attachment points, certification of the load if pre-fabricated.
Crane make / model, capacity at lift radius (with derating for boom config), thorough examination certificate within 12 months.
WLL of each sling / shackle / spreader, last inspection date, BS EN 13414 / 13889 compliance.
Calculated outrigger / track loading (kN/m2), ground capacity (from GI or CBR), packing / mats / piled platform.
Step-by-step lift, slew, place and disconnect — including any taglines, secondary slings, multiple-lift coordination.
Zone radius, barriers, signage, signaller position, radio channel, GS6 proximity to power lines.
Wind speed cut-off (typically 9–11 m/s for boom cranes, lower for large surface area loads), visibility, lightning, stop criteria.
Why a method statement gets sent back — these are the patterns we see most often.
The legal framework this method statement operates inside. Links go to the official source.
SI 1998/2307
The statutory framework — planning, supervision, safe execution and thorough examination duties.
HSE L113
Approved Code of Practice for LOLER — the benchmark reviewers use.
BS 7121
Operationalises LOLER for crane lifts; the source of the appointed person / supervisor / signaller roles.
HSE GS6
Standard proximity distances for lifts and tall plant near overhead lines.
BS 7121 — the UK code of practice operationalising LOLER — requires an Appointed Person for every lift involving a crane. The AP is responsible for the lift plan, equipment selection and supervision arrangements. For 'basic' lifts the AP may also be the supervisor; for 'complex' lifts the roles must be split.
A lift is complex where any of the following apply: more than one crane (tandem lift), blind lift (operator can't see the load), lift over occupied buildings or public areas, lift near live overhead power lines (within GS6 distances), or a lift with an unusual load (asymmetric, fragile, very high COG). Complex lifts require a written lift plan and a dedicated crane supervisor separate from the operator and AP.
Every 12 months for lifting equipment that lifts people, and every 12 months for lifting accessories. Mobile cranes are typically examined every 12 months with quarterly inspections; tower cranes follow the manufacturer's regime. The thorough examination certificate must be available on site.
Yes if the telehandler is being used as a lifting machine (e.g. lifting a load on a chain with a hook attachment). LOLER and BS 7121 apply. Where it is used solely as a materials-handler (forks under a pallet, no slinging) the LOLER thorough examination duty still applies but a full BS 7121 lift plan is not normally required.
The crane manufacturer's stated maximum — typically in the operator's manual as a steady wind speed in m/s, with reductions for gust speed and for high-surface-area loads. Common values are around 9–11 m/s for boom cranes lifting normal loads, but the method statement must cite the manufacturer's figure rather than a generic number.
Trade-specific RAMS guidance for the contractors who typically produce this method statement.
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Final RAMS must be reviewed and approved by a competent person before use.