What steps should be taken if a planned lift appears to exceed the crane's rated capacity?

• A. Stop the lift, re-evaluate load weight/CG, adjust rigging or radius, decrease load or use a larger crane, verify against the load chart, and consult a qualified supervisor before proceeding
• B. Continue the lift with a staged plan
• C. Increase load slightly to test the rated capacity
• D. Cancel the lift and reconfigure the crew on another lift

Answer: (A)

When a planned lift might exceed the crane’s rated capacity, the first and best move is to stop and verify everything against the crane’s load chart. Re-examine the actual load weight and where its center of gravity sits, because small errors or shifts in the load can change the capacity needed at a given radius. Then look at rigging and radius changes to see if you can reduce the required capacity by moving the load closer to the crane or using different rigging points to shift the CG more favorably. If those adjustments still push past the charted limits, decrease the load or opt for a larger crane. Always check the load configuration against the load chart for the current setup and consult a qualified supervisor before proceeding.