CPCS Appointed Person A61 · LOLER 1998 · BS 7121
Mobile Crane Lift Plans, UK
Quote-on-application mobile crane lift plans prepared by a CPCS Appointed Person with 35+ years of construction experience. LOLER 1998 and BS 7121 compliant — from routine offloads through to complex tandem and contract lifts.
Mobile crane lift planning under BS 7121
BS 7121-1 (Code of practice for safe use of cranes) recognises three categories of mobile crane lift. The depth of planning should match the category — but every lift still needs to be planned in writing.
Basic lifts
Routine, well-within-capacity lifts with no additional hazards. Can be planned by a competent crane operator with appropriate training.
Intermediate lifts
Lifts with one or more complicating factors — restricted access, blind lifts, proximity to people or structures. Need a competent lift planner with knowledge of the specific hazards.
Complex lifts
Tandem operations, lifts requiring engineering assessment, novel methods, or work near live infrastructure. Must be planned by an Appointed Person with relevant expertise.
We plan lifts across all three categories — and if you're not sure which yours falls into, that's the first thing we'll tell you. For background reading see what is a lift plan and when do you need a lift plan.
What's included in your mobile crane lift plan
Every plan we issue is a complete, briefable pack — drawing, calculations, RA/MS and accessories schedule in one place, signed off by an Appointed Person and ready to drop into your CDM file.
Crane selection & verification
- Capacity at required radius and lift point height
- Configuration: main boom, luffing jib, fly, extensions
- Counterweight specification and matching
- Outrigger pad load calculation vs ground bearing capacity
- Percentage utilisation against project threshold
Load assessment
- Verified load weight (with rigging)
- Centre of gravity identification and slinging method
- Lifting point identification and integrity
- Rigging arrangement design (chains/round slings/spreader)
- Sling angles, WLL evidence and reduction factors
Site assessment
- Ground condition evaluation against outrigger loads
- Outrigger pad positioning and bog mat strategy
- Overhead clearances and structures
- Underground services and voids
- Access route, set-up and decommissioning sequence
Documentation pack
- Lift plan drawing (AutoCAD plan and elevation, exclusion zones)
- Duty chart extract showing the selected configuration
- Risk assessment and method statement
- Lifting accessories schedule with WLL evidence
- Pre-lift checklist and toolbox-talk record
- Briefing template ready for Lift Supervisor / Operator / Slinger sign-off
How it works — and how fast
Quote-on-application, fixed fee, no hourly drift. Send the brief and we'll come back to you the same working day.
You send the brief
Site location, crane and load details, proposed pick/place positions, any known constraints. A GA and a few photos usually do it.
We quote
Fixed-fee quote returned within 4 working hours, with a clear scope, delivery date and a recommended crane configuration if needed.
Plan produced
Drawings, calcs, RA/MS and accessories schedule prepared by a CPCS Appointed Person. One revision included as standard.
Briefing & sign-off
Plan issued in PDF + editable formats. We support your team through briefing and any reviewer queries — no extra charge.
Tandem and contract lifts may take 3–5 working days. Urgent or same-day work is accommodated where possible — call 07803 808093 and we'll tell you straight whether it can be done.
Mobile crane types we cover
All-Terrain cranes
The default mobile crane on UK sites. Liebherr, Tadano/Demag, Grove, Terex — all manufacturers and capacities planned.
- • Telescopic main boom and luffing jibs
- • Up to 1,200 t and beyond
Rough-Terrain cranes
Pick-and-carry on unprepared ground. Capacity reductions when mobile and ground conditions are critical.
- • Travel-with-load assessments
- • Off-road ground bearing checks
Crawler cranes
Heavy lifts and long-term site presence. Track bearing pressure calcs and assembly/disassembly planning included.
- • Track bearing across the full envelope
- • Build-up / break-down lift plans
Mobile self-erecting
Self-erecting and city-class mobile tower cranes. Slewing radius, outrigger loading and full working envelope planning.
- • Working envelope vs neighbours
- • Erection and out-of-service config
Tandem & multi-crane operations
Some lifts simply cannot be done with one crane. Tandem and multi-crane operations are BS 7121-1 complex lifts and demand engineered planning — share-of-load analysis, sling geometry, synchronised motion and a much sharper supervision regime.
Tandem lift planning
When two cranes share a single load:
- Load distribution — centre of gravity, share-of-load calcs, sling geometry design
- Crane selection — matched capacity at the working radii, similar slew speeds, comparable boom angles
- Coordination — communications protocol, synchronised motion procedure
- Supervision — enhanced safety factors, dedicated Lift Supervisor, briefing of all operatives
Multi-crane operations
When multiple cranes work in proximity (but not on the same load):
- Clash analysis — boom-sweep envelopes, load paths, sequencing to avoid conflict
- Coordination — shared comms, movement priorities, who has right of way
- Out-of-service — wind tip-back direction and parking arrangements
Contract lift vs CPA hire
Knowing which arrangement you're actually buying is fundamental to who carries responsibility on the day.
Contract lift
The crane supplier provides:
- • The crane
- • The operator
- • The Appointed Person and lift planning
- • Slingers and signallers
- • Full responsibility for the lift
Single-point accountability. Best when you want the supplier to own the whole lifting operation.
CPA hire
The crane supplier provides crane and operator only. The customer provides:
- • The Appointed Person and lift planning
- • Slingers and signallers
- • Overall responsibility for the lifting operation
We provide AP services and lift planning for CPA hire arrangements — including on-site supervision where needed.
Already got a plan? We'll check it.
Independent Appointed Person review of subcontractor crane lift plans — load-chart interpretation, ground bearing, slinging arrangement, exclusion zones and method. We tell you exactly what is missing before anyone goes near a load.
Why contractors send their crane lifts to us
Specialist, not generalist
Lift planning is the whole business — not a sideline of a generalist H&S consultancy. The Appointed Person on your job has produced and signed off thousands of plans.
CPCS Appointed Person (A61)
Plans are prepared by a current CPCS A61 cardholder, meeting the BS 7121-1 competence requirement for planning lifting operations.
Tier 1 contractor approved
Trusted on live projects by leading UK contractors including Wates, Caddick and GMI — written to pass main-contractor scrutiny first time.
NEBOSH Diploma · CertIOSH · MIIRSM · TIFSM
Construction-specific NEBOSH National Diploma, CertIOSH (Certified IOSH member), MIIRSM and TIFSM. Planning is grounded in proper risk assessment, not box-ticking.
Fixed-fee, fast turnaround
Quote in 4 working hours, plan in 24–48. No hourly drift, no surprise add-ons. One revision included as standard.
Software-enhanced accuracy
AutoCAD for the lift drawing, LICCON and 3D Lift Plan for capacity modelling — output that looks the part and stands up to review.
Mobile crane lift plan FAQs
When do I need a lift plan for a mobile crane?
Under LOLER 1998 every lifting operation involving a mobile crane must be planned by a competent person. That covers everything from a routine offload to a complex tandem lift — the depth of planning should be proportionate to the risk, but the requirement to plan in writing is universal.
What does a mobile crane lift plan include?
A compliant plan includes verified load weight, crane selection and configuration with the manufacturer's load chart, percentage utilisation, rigging arrangement and sling angles, ground bearing pressure under outriggers, a site layout drawing with exclusion zones, hazard identification, weather limits, and named personnel — Appointed Person, Lift Supervisor, Crane Supervisor, Operator and Slinger/Signaller.
Who is qualified to write a mobile crane lift plan?
Lift plans must be prepared by a competent person — under BS 7121 and CPCS that is typically a CPCS A61 Appointed Person with the training, experience and judgement to plan the specific type of lift involved.
How fast can you produce a mobile crane lift plan?
For a typical single-machine lift we issue a quote within 4 working hours and deliver the finished plan in 24–48 working hours. Tandem and contract lifts may take 3–5 working days. Urgent and same-day work is accommodated where possible — please call to confirm.
How far in advance should I order a lift plan?
For standard lifts, 48 hours is usually plenty. Complex or tandem operations are best discussed earlier — ideally at tender stage so crane selection, ground bearing strategy and access are pinned down before you commit.
Can you help with crane selection?
Yes. Send us your lift requirements (load, radius, height, site constraints) and we'll advise on appropriate crane type, capacity and configuration before you go to hire. Cheaper to get the selection right at quotation than to find out the wrong crane has turned up on site.
What's the difference between contract lift and CPA hire?
In a contract lift the supplier provides the crane, operator, AP and full responsibility. In a CPA hire the supplier provides crane and operator only — the customer is responsible for planning the lift, slingers/signallers and overall responsibility. We provide AP services and lift planning for CPA hire arrangements.
Do you attend site for complex lifts?
Where required we provide on-site Appointed Person presence — pre-lift briefing, final checks and supervision of the lifting operation itself. Most jobs are planned remotely from the GA, photos and equipment specs.
What about crane build-up and break-down?
Crane assembly and disassembly (especially for large mobile cranes and crawlers) are themselves lifting operations and require their own lift plan. We produce build-up / break-down plans alongside the main lift plan when needed.
Will the plan be accepted by my principal contractor?
Yes. Our plans are written to the standard expected by Tier 1 main contractors including Wates, Caddick and GMI, and routinely pass first-time review. If a specific reviewer comes back with comments, we handle the back-and-forth as part of the fixed fee — there's no extra charge for revisions on review feedback.
Get a quote for your mobile crane lift plan
07803 8080933 fields, 30 seconds. We reply within 24 hours.
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Learn moreSend the brief, get the plan
Quote-on-application — fixed fee, no hourly drift. We'll come back to you the same working day.
What we need from you:
- • Site location and a GA / sketch layout
- • Crane proposed (or ask us to recommend)
- • Load details — weight, dimensions, lift points
- • Pick and place positions, radius and height
- • Any known hazards (services, edges, overhead lines)
- • Required date for the lift