The importance of safe working in the construction and manufacturing industry cannot be emphasised enough as the consequences of unsafe procedures could be fatal.
The first consideration is to ensure that the equipment that you are using is the right equipment for the job. This means that the equipment should be fitted with all the correct safety devices and that they are all fully functioning.
The next thing to check is that all the heavy lifting equipment is well maintained and given a detailed examination at least once a year and more often if possible. If the lifting equipment is used to lift people, these will need to be examined at least twice a year, but a visual examination of the equipment should be carried before each use. All heavy lifting equipment should be tested and certified before use.
Finally, it is important for operators to check that the load that is being lifted does not exceed the Working Load Limit as this is the maximum weight that the equipment can lift safely. The stability of the loads that require lifting needs to be tested before lifting. If you are lifting a heavy load ensure that the load is secured to your equipment correctly and that any loose parts are secure before lifting.