Overview of

ASME P30.1-2014
Planning for Load Handling Activities
An American National Standard

ASME P30.1 Planning

for Load Handling Activities
Scope & Definitions
Load Handling Activity
Considerations
Personnel &
Responsibilities
Standard Lift Plans
Critical Lift Plans
Appendices
Q&A (Use Chat)

P30 Standard Committee

Planning for the Use of Cranes, Derricks, Hoists,
Cableways, Aerial Devices, and Lifting
Accessories
Membership of committee is balanced
21 members, 8 contributing members, 8 alternates
Voting members - no more than 1/3 representation in
each category of interest
Categories of interest include; Distributors, General
Interest (Consultants), Insurance, Operators, Trainers
and Users of Lifting Equipment

P30.1 Scope
Establishes planning
considerations and
practices that apply to
Load Handling
Equipment (LHE),
other associated
equipment and
activities
Vertical / Horizontal

Load Handling Activity

Considerations
Guidance is divided into two categories Standard
Lift Plan and Critical Lift Plan
Guidance is dependent upon:
nature of the load handling activity and
degree of exposure to the issues that impact safety

The user may create other subcategories based

on their specific load handling activity

Load Handling Activity

Considerations
1. Potential Hazards to Persons
2. Hazards in Proximity to the Work Area
3. Complexity of the Load Handling Activity
4. Adverse Impact from Environmental Conditions
5. LHE and Rigging Capacity and/or Performance
6. Adverse Commercial Impact
7. Site Requirements Unique to Load Handling Activity
8. Repetitive Lifts

Categorize
Load
Handling
Activity

Standard
Lift Plan

Critical Lift
Plan

Lift Plan Categories

Standard Lift Plan
the load handling activity can be accomplished
through standard procedures, and that the load
handling activity personnel can execute using
common methods, materials and equipment.
Does not require written plan.

Critical Lift Plan

the load handling activity exceeds standard lift plan
criteria and requires additional planning, procedures
or methods to mitigate the greater risk.
Requires a written plan.

Personnel Qualifications, Roles

and Responsibilities
Assembly/ Disassembly
Director
Engineer
General Contractor
Lift Director
LHE Operator

Signalperson

LHE Owner

Site Safety Officer

Lift Planner

Site Supervisor

LHE User
Rigger

Spotter
Transport Operator

Lift Plan Development

Load (weight, CG and
attachment points)
LHE selection
Rigging (capacity,
configuration and
protection from
damage)
Movement of the LHE
and load.

Lift Plan Development

Site conditions, weather,
work area, LHE
foundation and support,
utilities, support services
and ancillary equipment.
Site control for vehicular
and pedestrian access
and potential
interferences.

Lift Plan Development

Personnel
Communication method
or system
Contingency
considerations
Emergency action plan
Repetitive lift inspection
and maintenance

Pre-Lift Meeting
Review activity
Handling sequence
Personnel
assignments
Questions/solutions
Review

Executing the Plan

Setup and preparation
complete
LHE inspected
Load inspected
Rigging inspected
Personnel ready

The Lift
Initiate the lift
During the lift proceed
as planned or stop
and adjust according
to contingency or
acceptable methods
If impossible to proceed, all-stop and secure load & LHE.

Post-Lift Review

After the lift review,

inspect and update

Nonmandatory Appendix A
Example Lift Plan

Nonmandatory Appendix B
Industry References
Includes useful list of standards that could be
considered during the development of the lift plan
including those from:
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (B30)
American Society of Safety Engineers
American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials, AASHTO
Canadian Standards Association
Industrial Truck Standards Developing Foundation
Scaffolding Industry Association

Additional Information
The P30 Standard is available for purchase
online at:
https://www.asme.org/products/courses/applicat
ion-p301-standard-load-handling
Further questions please contact Kate Hyam
ASME P30 Staff Secretary at hyamk@asme.org