CSCS Slinger/Signaller key terms

UK regulations placing duties on employers and the self-employed to ensure lifting equipment is strong, stable and marked, is inspected at required intervals, and that lifting operations are planned, supervised and carried out by competent people.

Regulations requiring work equipment, including lifting gear, to be suitable for its intended use, maintained in safe condition, used only by trained people and accompanied by adequate information and instructions.

Regulations requiring employers to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments, apply prevention principles, and appoint competent persons to assist with health and safety arrangements.

A documented scheme describing how a lift will be carried out, covering the load, equipment, personnel, sequence of movements, communication method, exclusion zones and contingency arrangements before work starts.

A careful examination of what in the work could cause harm, identifying hazards, deciding who might be harmed and how, and recording suitable control measures before the activity begins.

A written, step-by-step description of how a specific task will be carried out safely, including the sequence of work, equipment used, controls and the people responsible at each stage.

A formal written authorisation allowing a defined task to proceed under stated conditions for a limited period, used where work is high risk or interfaces with other activities.

A person with sufficient training, knowledge, experience and practical skill to carry out the assigned task safely, and who is aware of their own limitations and when to seek advice.

The person with overall responsibility for planning and controlling a lifting operation, including selecting equipment, preparing the plan, and ensuring adequate supervision and resources are in place.

The person responsible on site for controlling and monitoring the lifting operation as planned, coordinating the crane operator, slinger and signaller, and stopping work if conditions become unsafe.

A trained operative who attaches and detaches loads using slings and accessories, directs the crane operator by an agreed system of signals, and controls the movement of loads and people nearby.

The trained and authorised person who controls the lifting machine, responds only to agreed signals from the designated signaller, and is responsible for safe operation within the machine's rated capacity.

A person positioned to control vehicle movements and pedestrian traffic, guiding reversing or manoeuvring vehicles and keeping people clear of the danger area.

The order in which control measures are applied, starting with eliminating the hazard, then substituting or engineering it out, and only then relying on administrative controls and personal protective equipment.

A marked or barriered area beneath and around the lift from which unauthorised people are kept out, so that no one is at risk from a falling load or moving machinery.

A detailed inspection of lifting equipment by a competent person at statutory intervals, including testing where required, resulting in a written report and, where needed, a defect notice.

A visual and functional check of slings, accessories and lifting equipment carried out by the user before each use to confirm it is free from damage and correctly marked.

The maximum load an item of lifting equipment is rated to lift safely under stated conditions; it is marked on the equipment and must never be exceeded.

The maximum mass a sling or lifting accessory is designed to support in a specified configuration, commonly marked on the item and reduced when the sling is used at an angle or in a choked configuration.

The maximum load a crane or lifting machine may handle at a given radius and configuration, as stated by the manufacturer and shown on the load chart.

A manufacturer-supplied table or diagram showing the rated capacities of a crane for different radii, boom lengths and configurations, used to confirm a lift is within capacity.

The horizontal distance from the crane's slewing centre to the centre of gravity of the load, which directly affects the crane's rated capacity.

The point at which the whole weight of a load can be considered to act; identifying it correctly is essential for balancing the load and positioning the hook above it.

A multiplier applied to a two-leg or multi-leg sling's capacity to account for the angle between the legs; as the angle from horizontal decreases, the load in each leg increases.

The individual chains, wires or webbing members of a multi-leg sling, whose share of the load depends on the number of legs and the angle each makes with the horizontal.

The recognised ways of attaching a load, including straight lift, single or double wrap, choke hitch and basket hitch, each with different load-holding behaviour and capacity effects.

A slinging method where the sling passes around the load and back through itself, gripping the load as it tightens; it reduces the sling's capacity and can mark or crush the load.

A slinging method where the sling passes under the load and both ends attach to the hook, supporting the load in a cradle; capacity depends on the angle between the legs.

A U-shaped metal fitting closed by a pin or bolt, used to connect slings to loads or to the hook; it must be rated, correctly pinned and free from wear or distortion.

Components used between the lifting machine and the load, such as slings, shackles, swivels, hooks and lifting beams, which must be rated, marked and inspected before use.

A spring-loaded device on a crane or sling hook that closes the throat to prevent slings and fittings from slipping out when the load is slack or during movement.

A flat or round textile sling used for lifting loads; it is light and non-marking but can be cut or damaged by sharp edges and must be inspected for tears, cuts and label legibility.

A sling made from steel wire rope with terminations at each end; it is strong and abrasion resistant but must be checked for broken wires, kinks and termination damage.

A sling made of alloy steel chain links, suited to harsh and abrasive loads; it must be checked for stretched links, cracks, wear and illegible identification tags.

Padding, sleeving or packing placed between a sling and a sharp or abrasive load edge to prevent cutting, abrasion or weakening of the sling during the lift.

The techniques used to keep a load stable and under control throughout the lift, including tag lines, correct slinging, balanced loading and controlled speed of movement.

A rope attached to a load so a person standing clear of the danger area can steady and guide it against rotation or swinging during the lift.

An agreed set of arm and hand movements used by the signaller to direct the crane operator, which must be understood by both parties before the lift begins.

A method of directing lifting operations by two-way radio using clear, agreed wording and a dedicated channel, with a fallback arrangement if the link fails.

The designated person who transmits directions to the crane operator by hand signals, radio or other agreed means, and who is the only person the operator should respond to.

A lift where the crane operator cannot see the load or the landing point, requiring a signaller or other agreed communication method to direct the movement throughout.

An uncontrolled release of a load or part of it during lifting, a principal hazard controlled by correct slinging, rated equipment, exclusion zones and never passing loads over people.

The process of taking damaged or suspect lifting equipment out of service, tagging it clearly, quarantining it and reporting it to the responsible person so it is not reused.

Equipment worn by the individual to reduce risk, such as a safety helmet, high-visibility clothing, gloves and safety footwear; it is a last line of defence after other controls.

A briefing given to everyone entering a site covering its specific hazards, rules, emergency arrangements, pedestrian routes and lifting areas before they start work.

A durable label or tag on a sling or accessory showing its working load limit, material, length and unique identifier, allowing the user to confirm capacity and trace inspection records.

The status of equipment that is damaged, overdue for examination or otherwise unfit for use, which must be withdrawn, clearly marked and kept apart until repaired or destroyed.