What is the last step to take before commencing a lift?

Before commencing a lift, confirming all signals and checking equipment is an essential step that ensures safety and smooth operation. This involves verifying that all team members understand the signals that will be used during the lift – clear communication is vital in preventing accidents. Additionally, checking the equipment includes ensuring that the crane is in good working condition, all safety features are functional, and any rigging is properly set up and secured. This thorough review minimizes the risk of mishaps during the lift, contributing to a safe working environment.

While other steps such as discussing the lift plan with the team and verifying the operator's certification are important aspects of the overall lifting procedure, they typically precede the final confirmation of signals and equipment checks, which is directly linked to the moment just before the lift begins. Checking the weather conditions is also crucial for safety, but ultimately, ensuring that signals are understood and that the equipment is ready is the last definitive action that must take place before lifting operations start.