Lifting Operations and Equipment
Planned lifts, competent roles, equipment and accessory checks, exclusion, signalling and suspended-load hazards.
How to prepare for the CITB Operatives test
Connect hazard recognition with safe action: stop, protect, follow the site system and escalate to the right competent person.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Lifting operations must be planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out safely using suitable equipment.
Exam cue: Confirm the lift plan, load, accessory, safe working load and ground or support conditions.
Concept 2
Cranes, hoists and lifting accessories need identification, capacity information, checks and required thorough examinations.
Exam cue: Use the appointed signaller and agreed signals.
Concept 3
People should be kept outside the fall and swing zone and must never stand or work beneath a suspended load.
Exam cue: Stop for damaged accessories, unstable loads, unexpected snagging, weather or people entering the exclusion zone.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Using an unmarked sling because the load looks light.
Guardrail: Do not solve a missing guard, isolation, barrier, competent plan or engineering control only with a warning or PPE.
Guiding a suspended load by placing hands between it and a fixed object.
Guardrail: Do not solve a missing guard, isolation, barrier, competent plan or engineering control only with a warning or PPE.
Assuming a routine lift needs no plan or supervision.
Guardrail: Do not solve a missing guard, isolation, barrier, competent plan or engineering control only with a warning or PPE.
Memory anchors
Plan, Supervise, Lift
Every lift needs proportionate competent planning and control.
Marking Before Loading
Confirm identity, condition and safe working load before using lifting gear.
Nothing Under Suspended
Keep everyone outside the area where the load or equipment could fall or swing.
One Clear Signaller
Follow the appointed communication route and stop when signals conflict.
Hands Out of Traps
Use suitable control methods without entering pinch or crush points.
Change Means Pause
Weather, ground, load or route changes require the plan to be checked.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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