For Tier 1 Contractors · CPCS Appointed Person A61 · LOLER 1998
Lift Plan Checking Service
Independent Appointed Person review of lift plans submitted by subcontractors, crane hire companies, and suppliers. Every lifting operation on your site, LOLER and BS 7121 compliant, before work begins.
Why independent lift plan checking matters
As a principal contractor under CDM 2015 you have duties to ensure safe systems of work on your site — including the lifting operations carried out by your subcontractors and suppliers. The question is: how do you know the lift plans you receive are actually adequate?
A lift plan that looks professional can still contain fundamental errors. Independent checking catches them before they become incidents. We've produced reviews on thousands of plans — these are the failure patterns we see most often:
Common problems we find
Independent checking is the cheapest insurance you can buy on a lift. For deeper background see our blog on what gets checked and why plans get rejected.
What we review
Our review runs the full 17-point methodology against BS 7121, LOLER 1998, ISO 10567 and the project's own standing rules. Every check returns a written finding.
Technical accuracy
- Crane / equipment capacity verified against manufacturer data
- Load weight and centre of gravity correctly assessed
- Radii and lift heights properly calculated
- Configuration (boom length, counterweight, hitch) appropriate
- Ground bearing loads calculated and addressed
- Percentage utilisation against project threshold
Regulatory compliance
- LOLER 1998 Regulation 8 met
- BS 7121 principles applied
- ISO 10567 used correctly for excavator duties
- Equipment thorough examination referenced and current
- Lifting accessories properly specified with WLL evidence
- Personnel competencies named and verified
Risk assessment quality
- All foreseeable hazards identified
- Site-specific factors (services, edges, neighbours)
- Control measures adequate, proportionate and workable
- Residual risk acceptable
- Weather limits and stop conditions clear
Method statement workability
- Step-by-step procedure logical and complete
- Matches the lift plan drawing
- Roles and responsibilities clear (AP, LS, Crane Sup, Op, Slinger)
- Communication arrangements specified
- Emergency and stop-work procedures
What you receive
A formal written check report — clear status, every finding documented, every required amendment listed. Designed to drop straight into your CDM file and to brief the submitter without ambiguity.
Possible outcomes
Plan is technically correct, compliant and site-suitable. Lift can proceed. Any minor advisory comments are listed for the submitter's information.
Plan must be amended before the lift can go ahead. Each finding is set out with the standard reference and what is required to close it. Resubmission verification is included in the fee.
- Issues found with explanations and BS 7121 / LOLER references
- Required amendments — what must change for Category A
- Recommendations — improvements that would strengthen the plan
- Reviewer name, CPCS A61 card number, and signed sign-off
How it works — and how fast
Submit a complete plan, get a formal written review with a Category A / Category B determination back inside 24 working hours.
Submission
You forward the lift plan package — drawing, RA/MS, load chart, equipment certs, accessories certs, named personnel.
Review
Our CPCS A61 Appointed Person runs the full 17-point methodology against BS 7121, LOLER and project-specific rules.
Report
Written check report issued — Category A or Category B, every finding documented, amendments listed.
Re-submission
If Category B, the submitter revises and resubmits. We verify the amendments — included in the original check fee.
Complex tandem and contract lifts may take 3–5 working days. Same-day reviews are arranged for critical-path operations on request.
Who uses this service?
Tier 1 main contractors
Receiving lift plans from multiple subcontractors and suppliers daily. You need consistency, defensibility, and zero surprises.
- Confidence that lifting operations are properly planned
- Documented due diligence under CDM 2015
- Reduced risk of incidents and HSE intervention
- Consistent standards across all subcontractors
Project managers
Signing off lift plans without being a lifting specialist. You need expert backup to support your approval decisions.
- Expert review behind your approval signature
- Plain-language reports you can act on
- Technical backup when challenging submissions
Health & Safety managers
Responsible for site safety but can't be expert in every discipline. You need a specialist on tap.
- Specialist lift planning expertise on call
- Independent verification of subcontractor competence
- Evidence of robust checking systems for audit
What separates a good lift plan from a poor one
Through thousands of reviews these are the patterns that come up again and again. We don't just check boxes — we assess whether the plan will actually work safely on your site.
Good lift plans have
- Clear scale drawings showing equipment position, radii, and load path
- Verified capacity with specific duty chart references
- Ground assessment addressing actual site conditions
- Site-specific risk assessment with proportionate controls
- Workable method statements that match the drawing
- Named, competent personnel with current cards
Poor lift plans often have
- Generic content copied without site-specific adaptation
- Missing calculations or “available on request”
- Assumed ground conditions without verification
- Risk assessments missing obvious hazards
- Method statements that don't provide useful guidance
- Personnel listed without verifiable competencies
For more on common rejection patterns see our blog on common lift planning mistakes.
Service options
Three ways to engage — pick whichever fits the shape of your project.
Per-plan checking
Quote on application
Individual reviews charged per submission. Best for:
- • Occasional checking requirements
- • Specific complex or one-off lifts
- • Projects with few lifting operations
Retained service
Agreed monthly fee
Unlimited lift plan checks at a fixed monthly rate. Best for:
- • Large projects with frequent submissions
- • Multi-site operations
- • Long-term contractor relationships
- • SLA-backed turnaround commitments
On-site presence
Day rate
CPCS A61 Appointed Person attending your site. Best for:
- • Real-time lift plan review
- • Pre-lift briefings
- • Complex operation supervision
- • Lifting operations audits
Why contractors send their checking to us
Genuinely independent
Not part of any crane hire group, plant supplier or subcontractor. Submissions reviewed objectively, every time.
CPCS Appointed Person (A61)
Reviews carried out by a current CPCS A61 cardholder, meeting the BS 7121-1 competence requirement.
Tier 1 contractor approved
Trusted on live projects by leading UK contractors including Wates, Caddick and GMI.
NEBOSH Diploma · CertIOSH · MIIRSM · TIFSM
Construction-specific NEBOSH National Diploma, CertIOSH (Certified IOSH member), MIIRSM and TIFSM behind every finding.
17-point methodology
Structured review (P01–P17) against BS 7121, LOLER 1998 and ISO 10567. No misses, no opinion-driven feedback.
Defensible reports
Every finding referenced to a standard or project rule. Reports designed to drop into your CDM file and stand up to HSE scrutiny.
Lift plan checking FAQs
What is lift plan checking?
Lift plan checking is the independent review of a lift plan prepared by another party — typically a subcontractor, crane hire firm or third-party Appointed Person — to confirm it is technically correct, LOLER and BS 7121 compliant, and fit for the specific site conditions. The output is a written review with findings, recommendations and a Category A (acceptable) or Category B (not acceptable as submitted) determination.
How quickly can you turn a check around?
Standard turnaround is 24–48 working hours from receipt of a complete submission. Urgent same-day reviews are arranged for critical-path operations — let us know when you submit. Complex tandem and contract lifts may take 3–5 working days.
What if a lift plan fails your check (Category B)?
You receive a clear report explaining what is wrong and what is needed to fix it. The subcontractor amends and resubmits. We verify the amendments — included in the original check fee for straightforward issues.
What does Category A and Category B mean?
Category A means the plan is acceptable as submitted and the lift can proceed. Category B means the plan is not acceptable as submitted — every finding is set out with the standard reference and what must change for acceptance.
Why do lift plans get rejected?
The most common reasons are inaccurate or unverified load weights, wrong machine configuration on the load chart, capacity utilisation above the project threshold, missing thorough examination certificates, no site-specific hazard assessment, incorrect rigging or sling angles, missing personnel competencies, and inadequate ground-bearing assessment.
What documents do you need to check a lift plan?
A complete submission includes the lift plan drawing, risk assessment, method statement, load chart extract for the proposed configuration, equipment thorough examination certificates, lifting accessories certification, and named personnel with their CPCS or equivalent competencies. Missing documents are themselves a finding.
Do you check lift plans from all crane companies?
Yes. We are independent of any crane hire company, so submissions from any supplier are reviewed on their merits. Some suppliers produce excellent documentation; others routinely fall short. The check identifies which is which without fear or favour.
Do you offer a retained service?
Yes. For larger projects with frequent submissions or multi-site operations we offer a retained service at an agreed monthly fee covering unlimited checks, with an SLA on turnaround. Normally more cost-effective once you are receiving more than 4–6 plans a month.
What if I disagree with my subcontractor about a lift plan?
We can provide independent assessment and, if needed, explain our findings directly to your subcontractor. Having an independent expert view typically resolves disputes far more efficiently than internal back-and-forth.
Will the check report stand up to HSE scrutiny?
Yes. Each report is signed off by a CPCS A61 Appointed Person, references the relevant standard for every finding, and is designed to drop into your CDM file as evidence of due diligence under CDM 2015 and LOLER 1998.
Get a quote for lift plan checking
07803 8080933 fields, 30 seconds. We reply within 24 hours.
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Learn moreSend the plan, get the check
Submit a complete plan, get a formal Category A / Category B determination back inside 24 working hours.