Lifting Operations Hub
Expert Guides for Safe Lifting Operations, Equipment & Planning
Whether you’re lifting with an excavator, telehandler, crane, HIAB or other lifting equipment, understanding safe lifting practices is essential.
Our Lifting Operations Hub brings together practical, easy-to-follow guides covering lifting equipment, planning, inspections, legislation and operator responsibilities. Written by experienced instructors, these resources are designed to help operators, slinger signallers, lift supervisors, appointed persons, site managers and employers improve safety and competence on site.
Whether you’re preparing for NPORS training courses, refreshing your knowledge or simply looking for clear guidance on lifting operations, you’ll find a growing collection of free resources here.
What You’ll Find in This Hub
Our guides explain topics including:
- Safe lifting operations.
- Lifting accessories.
- Chain slings.
- Webbing slings.
- Round slings.
- Shackles and lifting points.
- Safe Working Load (SWL).
- Working Load Limit (WLL).
- LOLER inspections.
- Thorough examinations.
- Lift planning.
- Hand signals.
- Lifting legislation.
- Common lifting hazards.
- Best practice on construction sites.
Every guide is written in plain English and focuses on practical advice that can be applied in the workplace.
Who Are These Guides For?
This Knowledge Hub is suitable for:
- Slinger Signallers
- Lift Supervisors
- Appointed Persons
- Crane operators
- Excavator operators carrying out lifting operations
- Telehandler operators using suspended loads
- HIAB and lorry loader operators
- Construction companies
- Utilities contractors
- Civil engineering contractors
- Employers responsible for lifting equipment
Why Safe Lifting Matters
Lifting operations remain one of the highest-risk activities carried out on construction sites.
Poor planning, damaged lifting accessories, overloaded equipment or poor communication can lead to dropped loads, equipment damage and serious injuries.
By understanding lifting principles and following safe systems of work, operators can reduce risk, improve efficiency and comply with legal requirements.
Our guides are designed to complement recognised training—not replace it—and provide practical knowledge that supports safe working every day.
Browse Our Lifting Operations Guides
Lifting Equipment
(Growing collection)
Lift Planning & Safety
(Growing collection)
- Safe Working Load (SWL) vs Working Load Limit (WLL)
- LOLER Explained
- Thorough Examinations Explained
- Lift Planning Guide (Coming Soon)
- Risk Assessments for Lifting Operations (Coming Soon)
- Common Lifting Hazards (Coming Soon)
Communication
(Growing collection)
- Slinger Signaller Hand Signals
- Radio Communication During Lifting Operations (Coming Soon)
Roles & Responsibilities
(Growing collection)
- What Does a Slinger Signaller Do? (Coming Soon)
- What Does a Lift Supervisor Do? (Coming Soon)
- What Does an Appointed Person Do? (Coming Soon)
Related Training Courses
If you’re looking to gain recognised certification, Vally Plant Training delivers a range of NPORS-accredited lifting operations courses, including:
- Slinger Signaller Training
- Lift Supervisor Training
- Appointed Person Training
- Excavator as a Crane Training
- Telehandler Suspended Loads Training
- Lorry Loader Training
- Plant Loader Securer Training
Training can be delivered at our training centre in Tewkesbury, where appropriate, or on suitable customer sites throughout the UK.
Why Learn with Vally Plant Training?
When you choose Vally Plant Training, you’ll benefit from:
- NPORS Accredited Training Provider.
- Experienced lifting operations instructors.
- Practical, real-world training.
- Small course sizes.
- On-site or centre-based delivery (where appropriate).
- Experienced Worker Tests (EWT).
- Plant Operations NVQs.
- Nationwide training for employers.
Related Knowledge Centres
Continue exploring:
- Plant Operator Guides
- Plant Safety Guides
- Downloads & Inspection Checklists
- Plant Operations NVQ Guides
- Risk Assessments And Method Statements
About This Lifting Operations Hub
The Lifting Operations Hub has been created by the instructional team at Vally Plant Training, an NPORS Accredited Training Provider. Our aim is to provide clear, practical guidance that helps operators and employers carry out lifting operations more safely and confidently.
Lifting Accessories Explained
Lifting Equipment Explained
LOLER Regulations Explained
SWL vs WLL Explained
Lift Planning Guide
Slinger Signaller Hand Signals
Excavator Lifting Operations Guide
Telehandler Suspended Loads Guide
Lifting Accessories Inspection Guide
Lifting Equipment at Work: A Practical LOLER Guide
Lifting Operations Frequently Asked Questions
Why Trust Our Lifting Operations Guides?
Safe lifting operations rely on far more than simply choosing the right crane or lifting accessory. Every lift requires competent people, suitable equipment, effective communication and proper planning to reduce the risk of incidents on site.
UK legislation, including the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), places duties on employers and those involved in lifting operations to ensure equipment is suitable, maintained and used safely.
What are lifting operations?
Lifting operations involve raising, lowering or moving loads using lifting equipment such as cranes, excavators used for lifting, telehandlers, HIABs or lorry loaders. They also include the planning, supervision and safe use of lifting accessories.
Who should read these guides?
These guides are suitable for operators, supervisors, employers, trainees and anyone involved in planning or carrying out lifting operations.
Do these guides replace formal training?
No. They are designed to support learning and improve understanding but do not replace recognised practical training or assessment.
What legislation applies to lifting operations?
Lifting operations in the UK are subject to legislation including the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). Employers must ensure lifting equipment is suitable, properly maintained and used by competent people.
Will more guides be added?
Yes. This hub will continue to expand with practical articles covering lifting equipment, inspections, planning, legislation and safe lifting techniques.
NPORS Plant Operator Training Courses
Visit our Courses page to see our list of popular courses offered at our training centre in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire or on-site throughout England.