What is the difference between a lift study and a lifting plan?

A lift study is a preliminary feasibility assessment conducted during the design or pre-construction phase. It answers the question "can this lift be done safely and which crane do we need?" A lifting plan is a detailed operational document prepared for a specific lift on a specific date. The lift study informs the lifting plan. Think of the lift study as the scoping document and the lifting plan as the execution document.

When should a lift study be done?

A lift study should be completed as early as possible in the project lifecycle, ideally during design or tender phase. This allows the project team to select the correct crane, budget for crane hire, plan the site layout to accommodate crane set-up, and identify critical lifts that will need engineering input. Waiting until the construction phase to conduct a lift study often results in programme delays and cost overruns.

Who should prepare a lift study?

A lift study should be prepared by a competent person with knowledge of crane operations, capacity charts and site hazard assessment. This may be a crane supervisor, lift planner, project engineer or a specialist lifting consultant. Under AS 2550:2021, the person with management or control of the plant must ensure lifting operations are planned by a competent person.

How many crane options should a lift study assess?

Best practice is to assess at least two crane options. This provides a comparison of capacity margin, transport logistics, hire cost and set-up requirements. If the primary option is close to its capacity limit (above 75%), the lift study should flag this and recommend a larger crane to provide an adequate safety margin.

Does a lift study replace the need for a lifting plan?

No. A lift study is a preliminary document. A full lifting plan (or critical lift plan if the lift meets AS 2550 Section 8 criteria) is still required before the lift takes place. The lift study provides the data that feeds into the lifting plan, but it does not contain the operational detail, personnel assignments, rigging schedules or sign-offs required for the actual lift.

What happens if the lift study shows the lift is not feasible?

If the lift study determines that the lift cannot be completed safely with available crane options or within site constraints, the project team must explore alternatives. These may include redesigning the load to reduce weight or dimensions, changing the construction sequence, relocating the crane set-up position, upgrading the ground to support a larger crane, or splitting the load into smaller lifts. The lift study documents these alternatives and their implications.

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Free lift study form (PDF-ready) aligned to AS 2550:2021. Evaluate crane selection, load path feasibility and site constraints before mobilisation. Download free.

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 3 May 2026

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What is a lift study form?

A lift study form is a preliminary assessment document used to evaluate whether a proposed crane lift is feasible before the full lifting plan or critical lift plan is prepared. The lift study is conducted during the design or pre-construction phase of a project and focuses on high-level questions: can the load be lifted safely from the proposed pick point to the set-down point, which crane type and capacity is required, are there site constraints that affect crane positioning, and are there hazards (overhead power lines, adjacent structures, underground services, public access) that must be addressed in the detailed lift plan?

Under AS 2550:2021 (Cranes, hoists and winches - safe use), the person with management or control of the plant must ensure that lifting operations are planned by a competent person. The lift study is the first step in that planning process. It captures the key parameters (load weight, required radius, hook height, boom clearances) and compares them against available crane capacities to determine if the lift is achievable. For projects with multiple lifts, the lift study identifies which lifts are standard and which are critical under AS 2550 Section 8, allowing early procurement of the correct crane and early engagement of an engineer for critical lift plans. A well-executed lift study prevents costly delays caused by discovering mid-project that the planned crane cannot reach the required radius, or that site access cannot accommodate the crane chosen.

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Benefits of using this lift study form

Early feasibility check: confirm the lift is physically achievable before committing to crane hire, site preparation or construction sequencing.
Crane selection accuracy: match the load parameters against crane capacity charts at the required radius and hook height before mobilisation.
Critical lift identification: flag lifts that will require a critical lift plan under AS 2550 Section 8, enabling early engineering engagement.
Site constraint mapping: identify overhead power lines, adjacent structures, underground services and access limitations during the planning phase rather than on the day.
Cost control: avoid mobilising a crane that is undersized or oversized for the job, reducing standby costs and re-mobilisation charges.
Project scheduling: provide the construction programme with accurate lift durations and crane availability requirements.

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What to include in a lift study form

This lift study form covers 10 key areas:

Project and lift identification: project name, lift study number, date, prepared by, reviewed by.
Load details: description, estimated weight (with source), dimensions, centre of gravity estimate, number of attachment points.
Pick and set-down locations: coordinates or grid references, elevation above ground, required hook height at each point.
Required crane geometry: maximum radius, minimum hook height, required boom clearance over obstructions.
Crane options assessed: at least two crane options with capacity at required radius, boom length, tail swing and transport dimensions.
Site constraints: access route for crane delivery, set-up area dimensions, ground conditions, overhead power lines, adjacent structures, public access.
Preliminary hazard register: identified hazards with initial risk ratings and proposed controls.
Critical lift determination: assessment of whether the lift meets any AS 2550 Section 8 criteria.
Recommendations: selected crane option, additional studies required (geotechnical, electrical clearance survey), and actions for the detailed lift plan.
Attachments: site plan with crane position, load path and exclusion zone overlay.

How to use this lift study form

Define the load and verify the weight estimate.: Obtain the load weight from design drawings, manufacturer specifications or engineering estimates. Record the source of the weight figure and flag if it needs to be verified by weighing before the lift plan is finalised. Note the load dimensions, estimated centre of gravity and whether the load has certified lifting points.
Determine the pick point, set-down point and required crane geometry.: Using the site plan, identify where the load will be picked up and where it will be placed. Calculate the maximum lift radius (horizontal distance from crane centre of rotation to the load at its furthest point), the required hook height (elevation of the highest point of the load plus rigging length plus clearance), and any boom clearance needed over obstructions between the pick and set-down points.
Assess crane options against the lift parameters.: Consult crane capacity charts for at least two crane options. Record the crane type, boom length required, capacity at the required radius and the percentage of rated capacity the lift will use. Confirm the crane tail swing will not encroach on structures or site boundaries. Check the transport dimensions of each crane option against the site access route.
Survey the site for constraints and hazards.: Walk the site or review the site plan to identify overhead power lines (record voltage and height), adjacent structures within the boom swing arc, underground services in the crane set-up area, access gate dimensions, ground conditions and any public access areas that will need exclusion zones. Record each constraint on the lift study form.
Determine if the lift is standard or critical.: Review the lift parameters against AS 2550 Section 8 criteria. If the lift will exceed 80% of the crane rated capacity, require two cranes, pass over occupied areas, or involve any other critical lift trigger, record this on the form so a critical lift plan can be initiated early.
Document recommendations and submit for review.: Record the recommended crane option, any additional studies needed (geotechnical assessment for ground bearing, electrical clearance survey, traffic management plan), and a list of actions that must be completed before the detailed lift plan or critical lift plan can be prepared. Submit the lift study to the project manager and the lift planner for review.

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How often should you complete this form?

A lift study should be completed for every significant crane lift during the design or pre-construction phase of a project. For projects with multiple lifts, a single lift study document can cover all lifts, with each lift assessed individually within the form. The lift study should be reviewed whenever the design changes (load weight revision, building layout change, new obstructions), when the construction programme changes the sequence of lifts, or when the site conditions change (new overhead services installed, adjacent construction activity). The lift study feeds directly into the preparation of the lifting plan or critical lift plan, so it must be finalised before those documents are started. In MapTrack, you can link the lift study to the subsequent lift plan and the crane asset record, creating a complete audit trail from initial feasibility through to lift completion.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a lift study and a lifting plan?: A lift study is a preliminary feasibility assessment conducted during the design or pre-construction phase. It answers the question "can this lift be done safely and which crane do we need?" A lifting plan is a detailed operational document prepared for a specific lift on a specific date. The lift study informs the lifting plan. Think of the lift study as the scoping document and the lifting plan as the execution document.
When should a lift study be done?: A lift study should be completed as early as possible in the project lifecycle, ideally during design or tender phase. This allows the project team to select the correct crane, budget for crane hire, plan the site layout to accommodate crane set-up, and identify critical lifts that will need engineering input. Waiting until the construction phase to conduct a lift study often results in programme delays and cost overruns.
Who should prepare a lift study?: A lift study should be prepared by a competent person with knowledge of crane operations, capacity charts and site hazard assessment. This may be a crane supervisor, lift planner, project engineer or a specialist lifting consultant. Under AS 2550:2021, the person with management or control of the plant must ensure lifting operations are planned by a competent person.
How many crane options should a lift study assess?: Best practice is to assess at least two crane options. This provides a comparison of capacity margin, transport logistics, hire cost and set-up requirements. If the primary option is close to its capacity limit (above 75%), the lift study should flag this and recommend a larger crane to provide an adequate safety margin.
Does a lift study replace the need for a lifting plan?: No. A lift study is a preliminary document. A full lifting plan (or critical lift plan if the lift meets AS 2550 Section 8 criteria) is still required before the lift takes place. The lift study provides the data that feeds into the lifting plan, but it does not contain the operational detail, personnel assignments, rigging schedules or sign-offs required for the actual lift.
What happens if the lift study shows the lift is not feasible?: If the lift study determines that the lift cannot be completed safely with available crane options or within site constraints, the project team must explore alternatives. These may include redesigning the load to reduce weight or dimensions, changing the construction sequence, relocating the crane set-up position, upgrading the ground to support a larger crane, or splitting the load into smaller lifts. The lift study documents these alternatives and their implications.

Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

AS 2550:2021 - Cranes, hoists and winches (safe use)
AS 2550 Section 8 - Special lifting applications
BS 7121-1 - Code of practice for safe use of cranes
AS 1418 - Cranes, hoists and winches (design)
WHS Regulations Chapter 5 Part 5.1 - High risk work licences

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