Even non-critical lifts require knowledge of the weight of the load (and other components considered to be part of the load), the configuration of the crane, the rated capacity of the crane at the crane�s lift configuration, and factors that may affect the cranes rated capacity in order to make a �go/no go� decision. ∺vert the danger that has yet to come.� - Yoga Sutra Critical LiftsĪll crane lifts require some level of planning whether only a 1,000-pound load is being lift or a complex 2,000-ton multi-crane lift is to be made. Therefore, establishing criteria for �critical lifts,� preparing formal lift plans, and utilizing lift planning checklists are important components in preventing mobile crane failures. However, �people do not plan to fail, they fail to plan.� As a result, less-than-adequate mobile crane lift planning encompasses most, if not all, of the above causal factor categories.

A separate study involving a review of 158 crane-related incidents from 1997 to 1999 identified the most frequent causes of mobile crane incidents to be instability (e.g., unsecured load, load capacity exceeded, ground not level or too soft, etc.), lack of communication, and electrical contract.