Steelwork Erection Safety: Managing Crane Lifts and Working at Height

Table of Contents

• The Risk Profile of Steelwork Erection
• Crane Lift Planning Under BS 7121 and LOLER
• The Working at Height Hierarchy for Steel Erection
• Safety Nets vs Harness Systems
• Exclusion Zones and Ground Control
• Documentation Requirements
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Next Steps

The Risk Profile of Steelwork Erection

Structural steelwork erection sits in a high-risk category within UK construction. The HSE data consistently shows that falls from height and being struck by moving objects — both of which are central hazards in steelwork erection — are among the leading causes of fatal and serious injuries on construction sites. The combination of elevated working positions, suspended loads, and fast-moving work sequences makes safety planning for steelwork erection particularly demanding.

Your RAMS for steelwork erection must go beyond generic statements about PPE and toolbox talks. It needs to demonstrate that specific, effective controls have been planned for each phase of the erection sequence. This article focuses on the two most critical risk areas: crane lifts and working at height.

For a complete overview of what a steelwork RAMS must contain, see our guide on structural steelwork erection RAMS.

Crane Lift Planning Under BS 7121 and LOLER

Every crane lift during steelwork erection must be planned in accordance with LOLER 1998 (Regulation 8) and BS 7121: Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Cranes. In practice, this requires an Appointed Person (AP) — a competent individual with specific crane planning qualifications (typically CPCS A61) — to plan each lift.

The lift plan produced by the AP must cover:

• Load details (weight, dimensions, centre of gravity, lifting points)
• Crane selection and configuration (including outrigger positions)
• Ground bearing capacity and temporary works requirements
• Radii and corresponding capacity from the crane load chart
• Exclusion zones during the lift
• Communication method between crane operator and signaller
• Contingency for crane failure or lost load

Your RAMS must reference the lift plan and confirm that it has been prepared by a qualified AP. The RAMS is not the lift plan — it is the broader safe system of work within which the lifts take place.

The Working at Height Hierarchy for Steel Erection

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAH Regs) impose a strict hierarchy that must be followed and documented in your RAMS:

1. Avoid working at height — Pre-assemble components at ground level where possible to reduce time spent at height. This is particularly relevant for purlins, roof decking, and smaller steelwork elements.
2. Prevent falls — Use collective fall prevention systems (edge protection, guardrails) where the structure allows. As erection progresses, install edge protection on completed bays before moving to the next section.
3. Arrest falls — Where prevention is not practicable, use fall arrest systems (safety nets, airbags, harness and lanyard systems connected to certified anchors).

Your RAMS must work through this hierarchy for each phase of the erection sequence and justify any departure from it. Jumping straight to harness and lanyard without considering collective measures will not satisfy a competent principal contractor reviewer.

Safety Nets vs Harness Systems

This is the most debated choice in steelwork fall protection planning. Both approaches are legitimate, but each has conditions and limitations that your RAMS must address.

Safety nets (installed below the working level):

• Provide passive, collective protection — operatives do not need to remember to connect to an anchor.
• Must be installed, inspected, and maintained by a competent installer.
• Must comply with BS EN 1263 and be installed with safe working loads, fall distances, and deflection distances properly calculated.
• Require sufficient void below the net for safe deflection.
• Are the preferred approach for large structural steel frames where the geometry allows.

Harness and lanyard systems:

• Require compliant anchor points designed to withstand 12 kN per person (BS EN 795).
• Anchor point design must be certified by a structural engineer.
• Operatives must be trained in harness fit, inspection, and use.
• A rescue plan for fallen operatives must be documented — operatives cannot simply hang in a harness until someone notices them.
• Are appropriate where nets cannot be installed or for specific localised tasks at height.

Many steelwork contractors use a combination: safety nets for the main frame erection and harness systems for specific tasks such as fixing roof sheets or installing services.

Exclusion Zones and Ground Control

Exclusion zones protect workers and members of the public on the ground from falling materials and suspended loads. Your RAMS must specify:

• The extent of exclusion zones (as a minimum, the radius of the crane slewing arc plus a safe margin).
• How zones are physically marked and enforced (barriers, signage, banksman).
• What access arrangements exist for other trades who need to work in or near the steelwork zone.
• How zones are communicated to the principal contractor and other trades via the Construction Phase Plan interface.

Documentation Requirements

In addition to your RAMS, the following documents must be available on site during steelwork erection:

• Crane thorough examination certificates (current within 6 months for equipment in use)
• Lifting accessory thorough examination certificates
• Lifting plan(s) prepared by the Appointed Person
• Anchor point design certificates (if harness systems are used)
• Safety net installation certificates
• Operative CPCS/CSCS cards
• Emergency and rescue procedure (documented and briefed to all operatives)

Your RAMS should reference all of these documents. Principal contractors will often request copies before permitting steelwork erection to commence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreman act as Appointed Person for steelwork crane lifts?

Only if they hold the relevant AP qualification (CPCS A61 or equivalent). The Appointed Person role carries specific legal responsibilities under LOLER and must be held by someone with the knowledge and skills to plan lifts safely. A working foreman without this qualification cannot legally act as AP, regardless of their experience.

What rescue plan is required when using harness systems?

Your RAMS must include a documented rescue procedure for a fallen operative suspended in a harness. This must be practicable and rehearsed — not just a line in the document saying "contact emergency services." Suspension trauma (orthopaedic shock) can occur within minutes in a suspended harness, so the rescue plan must enable a fallen operative to be retrieved quickly. Typically this involves a dedicated rescue line pre-rigged on each column or a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) on standby.

Do temporary works for steelwork erection need separate design?

Yes. Any temporary works associated with steelwork erection — including temporary bracing, propping, sole plates, and any structures used to support partially erected steel — must be designed by a competent Temporary Works Designer and checked by an independent Temporary Works Coordinator. Your RAMS should reference the temporary works scheme and confirm these design checks have been completed.

Next Steps

Browse all trade RAMS templates on the RAMS AI trade hub — covering 22 specialist construction trades.

Producing RAMS for structural steelwork erection that properly address crane lifts and working at height requires detailed knowledge of BS 7121, LOLER, and the Work at Height Regulations. RAMS AI provides a complete steelwork erection RAMS template that covers all of these requirements, ready to be tailored to your specific project.