For Contractors & Subcontractors
Lift Plan Review Service
Independent review of your lift plans by a CPCS Appointed Person before work begins. We assess every plan against LOLER, BS 7121, and current industry best practice — identifying deficiencies, confirming compliance, and giving you confidence that the lifting operation can proceed safely.
Turnaround
Appointed Person
Experience
Why Have Your Lift Plans Independently Reviewed?
A lift plan is only as good as the information it contains and the competence of the person who prepared it. Even experienced planners make errors — wrong load chart configurations, missing ground bearing assessments, rigging weights omitted from total load calculations, or plans that are generic templates rather than site-specific documents.
An independent lift plan review provides a second pair of qualified eyes on every plan before the lifting operation takes place. It is not about catching people out — it is about catching errors before they become incidents.
Under LOLER Regulation 8, every lifting operation must be properly planned by a competent person. For principal contractors, an independent review demonstrates due diligence. For subcontractors, having your plans reviewed before submission reduces the risk of rejection, delays, and the cost of standing time while issues are resolved.
Who Benefits from a Lift Plan Review?
Principal Contractors
You are legally responsible for ensuring that all lifting operations on your site are properly planned. When subcontractors submit lift plans, you need an independent, qualified review to confirm those plans are technically sound and LOLER compliant.
- ✓Demonstrates due diligence to the HSE
- ✓Catches errors before they reach site
- ✓Provides a documented audit trail of every review
- ✓Reduces the risk of lifting incidents on your project
Subcontractors
If you write your own lift plans, having them independently reviewed before submission to the principal contractor means they are more likely to be accepted first time — avoiding delays, rework, and the cost of standing time.
- ✓Get plans right before submission to the main contractor
- ✓Avoid rejection and the delays that follow
- ✓Improve the quality of your lift planning over time
- ✓Build confidence with tier 1 clients
What We Review
Load Data & Capacity
- ✓Load weights verified against manufacturer data or calculation
- ✓Centre of gravity correctly identified for asymmetric loads
- ✓Weight of all lifting accessories included in total suspended load
- ✓Correct load chart used for the specific machine configuration
- ✓Capacity verified at actual working radius with adequate safety margin
Ground & Stability
- ✓Ground bearing capacity assessed for the operating position
- ✓Outrigger and stabiliser loads calculated
- ✓Load-spreading measures specified where required
- ✓Proximity to excavations and soft ground considered
Rigging & Accessories
- ✓Sling type, size, and configuration appropriate for the load
- ✓Sling capacities adequate at the working angle
- ✓Rigging arrangement suitable for load geometry
- ✓Thorough examination certificates current for all accessories
Hazards & Compliance
- ✓All site-specific hazards identified and addressed
- ✓Exclusion zones defined and appropriate
- ✓Plan meets LOLER Regulation 8 requirements
- ✓Plan prepared by a demonstrably competent person
- ✓Site-specific rather than generic template
Equipment Types We Review
We review lift plans for all types of lifting equipment commonly used on UK construction sites. Each equipment type has its own specific technical considerations, and our reviews are tailored accordingly.
Excavator Lift Plans
ISO 10567 capacity verification, duty chart checks, track configuration, and lifting mode confirmation.
Telehandler Lift Plans
Stabiliser deployment, load chart for specific attachment, boom extension limits, and ground conditions.
Lorry Loader / HIAB Plans
Stabiliser reaction forces, vehicle positioning, multiple delivery point assessments, and operator visibility.
Mobile Crane Lift Plans
Configuration-specific load charts, counterweight, boom length, outrigger extension, and ground bearing pressures.
Tower Crane Lift Plans
Free-standing and tied configurations, overlapping jib zones, foundation loads, and climb sequence planning.
Steel Erection Plans
Fabrication drawing review, erection sequence, temporary stability, and connection methodology.
Common Deficiencies We Find
After reviewing thousands of lift plans over 35 years, certain deficiencies appear repeatedly. These are not minor formatting issues — they are errors that could directly affect the safety of the lifting operation.
Capacity shown for a machine configuration that does not match what will actually be on site. Different boom lengths, counterweight options, or outrigger extensions produce entirely different load charts.
Estimated weights instead of verified weights. Rigging and lifting accessories not included in the total suspended load. On lifts at higher duty percentages, these omissions can mean the difference between a safe lift and an overloaded machine.
Plan assumes firm, level ground without any assessment of actual conditions. Construction sites with made-up ground, backfilled trenches, or underground services require specific assessment.
The same lift plan submitted for multiple sites with only the project name changed. No reference to actual site conditions, specific hazards, or the particular equipment being used.
Plans that detail how the load will be picked up but give minimal attention to how it will be landed, positioned, and released. The landing phase is often the most hazardous.
Thorough examination certificates not provided, expired, or not matching the actual equipment in the plan. A direct breach of LOLER Regulation 9.
The Review Process
Submit
Send us the lift plan by email along with any supporting documentation — load charts, site drawings, thorough examination certificates.
Review
Our CPCS Appointed Person conducts a detailed technical review, assessing every element against LOLER, BS 7121, and industry best practice.
Report
You receive a clear written assessment within 24 hours — approved, approved with observations, or not approved with specific reasons.
Resolve
If the plan requires amendment, we provide specific guidance on what needs to change and can review the revised plan to confirm compliance.
What You Receive
Review Report
A clear written assessment with one of three outcomes:
- • Specific issues identified with clear explanations
- • Required amendments detailed
- • Recommendations for improvement where applicable
- • Documented record for your compliance audit trail
Lift Plan Review vs Lift Plan Checking
In practice, the terms "lift plan review" and "lift plan checking" are used interchangeably across the UK construction industry. Both refer to the independent assessment of a lift plan by a qualified person to confirm it is technically sound, LOLER compliant, and safe to execute.
Our lift plan checking service is typically engaged by principal contractors who need every subcontractor lift plan reviewed before work begins on site. Our lift plan review service covers the same technical assessment and is available to any contractor — whether you are a tier 1 principal contractor, a subcontractor preparing plans for submission, or a project manager who needs assurance that your lifting operations are properly planned.
The assessment is the same. Every plan is reviewed line by line against LOLER requirements, BS 7121 guidance, and the practical realities of the lifting operation described.
Service Options
Ad-Hoc Review
Submit individual lift plans as and when required. Each plan is reviewed and returned with a written assessment, typically within 24 hours.
Ideal for contractors who need occasional reviews, one-off projects, or subcontractors who want their plans independently assessed before submission.
Retained Review Contract
An ongoing arrangement where we review all lift plans for the duration of your project. Fixed monthly fee covering unlimited reviews with priority turnaround.
Ideal for principal contractors managing multiple subcontractors across one or more sites, or any project with a high volume of lifting operations.
Qualifications & Experience
All lift plan reviews are carried out by Ricky Marsh, Director of RMT Solutions Ltd. Every review is conducted by someone with both the qualifications and the practical experience to assess whether a lift plan will work safely on site — not just whether it meets a paperwork standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lift plan review?
A lift plan review is an independent assessment of a lift plan by a qualified person — typically a CPCS Appointed Person — to confirm that the plan is technically sound, compliant with LOLER and BS 7121, and safe to execute. The reviewer checks every element including load data, equipment capacity, rigging arrangement, ground conditions, and site-specific hazards.
Is a lift plan review a legal requirement?
LOLER requires that every lifting operation is properly planned by a competent person. While the regulations do not specifically mandate an independent review, principal contractors have a duty under CDM 2015 to ensure that subcontractor work on their site is safe and compliant. An independent lift plan review is the most practical way to discharge that duty for lifting operations.
How quickly can you review a lift plan?
Most lift plans are reviewed and returned within 24 hours of receipt. For retained contract clients, priority turnaround is available. Urgent same-day review is available for critical path operations — just let us know when you submit.
What types of lift plan do you review?
We review lift plans for all types of lifting equipment used in UK construction — excavators, telehandlers, lorry loaders, mobile cranes, tower cranes, and overhead lifting equipment. We also review steel erection plans and tandem lift plans.
What happens if a plan fails the review?
You receive a clear written assessment explaining exactly what is deficient and what needs to change. We can then review the amended plan to confirm the issues have been addressed. The objective is to get the plan right, not simply to reject it.
Can subcontractors use your review service?
Yes. Subcontractors who write their own lift plans can have them independently reviewed before submission to the principal contractor. This significantly reduces the chance of rejection and the project delays that follow.
Need Lift Plans Reviewed?
Get in touch to discuss your requirements. Whether you need a single lift plan reviewed or ongoing review support for a major project, we provide fast, thorough, independent assessment.