Effective site supervision is a critical success factor in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and legal compliance of crane activities on construction sites. Supervisors are the eyes and ears on the ground, translating safety plans into daily action and maintaining control over dynamic and often high-risk lifting operations. According to Hong Kong’s Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear) Regulations (Cap. 59J), the Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes, and the CIC Guidelines on Safety of Tower Cranes, site supervisors carry key responsibilities in coordinating personnel, monitoring procedures, and enforcing safe systems of work.
1. Appointment of Competent Supervisors
Every lifting operation must be directly supervised by a competent person as defined under Regulation 15B of the FIU LALG. This individual must have relevant technical knowledge, site experience, and training in crane safety. The site supervisor must be familiar with the crane’s design, configuration, lifting plan, and potential hazards. In most cases, this role is filled by a lifting supervisor or site agent with lifting certification and practical rigging knowledge.
2. Review and Communication of Lifting Plans
A fundamental responsibility of the site supervisor is to ensure that lifting Werkzeug plans and method statements are properly communicated to the lifting crew. These documents—prepared based on site-specific risk assessments—must be reviewed in detail with crane operators, signalers, slingers, and any nearby workers potentially affected by the lift. Pre-lift briefings or toolbox talks must be conducted before each major operation, emphasizing critical lift stages, exclusion zones, communication protocols, and emergency procedures.
3. Verification of Equipment Certification and Setup
Before any crane activity begins, the supervisor must confirm that all lifting equipment—tower cranes, mobile cranes, derricks, hoists, and lifting gear—has valid inspection certificates issued by a competent examiner. This includes ensuring that Safe Load Indicators (SLIs) are functional, cranes are properly erected or positioned on suitable foundations, and gear such as shackles, slings, and hooks are tagged and within their certification period. Any equipment with missing or expired certificates must be immediately removed from service.
4. Monitoring Environmental and Site Conditions
Crane operations are highly sensitive to environmental factors such as wind, rain, and restricted visibility. Supervisors must continuously monitor site conditions and enforce suspension of operations when weather exceeds safe limits, as per manufacturer specifications and the Code of Practice. Wind speeds, especially at height, must be monitored using anemometers, and lifting activities must be suspended when wind speeds exceed 13 m/s (or lower thresholds for man-lifting or tall structures).
5. Enforcement of Exclusion Zones
Exclusion zones are a key part of crane safety, designed to protect workers and the public from hazards such as falling objects or swinging loads. Supervisors must ensure that these zones are clearly defined with barricades, warning signs, and restricted access. No unauthorized personnel should be allowed within the lifting radius, under suspended loads, or in the path of the crane’s counterweight or slewing arm. Supervisors must actively enforce these boundaries and coordinate with other site teams to prevent overlap or conflict.
6. Oversight During Critical Operations
For high-risk operations—such as tandem lifts, crane climbing, dismantling, or man-lifting—the supervisor must be present throughout the entire activity. These operations require real-time coordination, and the supervisor must verify each step of the procedure against the lifting plan, stopping the operation immediately if unsafe conditions or deviations arise. During erection or dismantling phases, the supervisor must also verify the presence of fall protection systems and anchor points for all personnel working at height.
7. Real-Time Communication and Coordination
Effective communication is central to safe crane work. Supervisors must ensure that operators and rigging crews use clear, agreed-upon hand signals or radio communication, and that only the designated signaler is directing the crane operator. In cases of signal confusion or radio failure, lifting must stop immediately until communication is re-established. The supervisor should carry a radio or communication device at all times and serve as the point of contact with site management or emergency responders if required.
8. Monitoring Operator Performance and Compliance
Supervisors are responsible for checking that operators hold valid certificates under Regulation 15A and are familiar with the specific crane model being used. The supervisor must ensure that operators adhere strictly to safe working loads, lifting plans, and safety alerts generated by the crane’s monitoring systems. Unsafe behaviors—such as bypassing SLIs, lifting unscheduled loads, or overriding load limiters—must be reported and rectified without delay.
9. Documentation and Reporting
All crane operations must be supported by complete and up-to-date documentation, including lifting plans, daily checklists, incident logs, and operator records. The supervisor must ensure that these documents are maintained on-site and submitted to the principal contractor or safety officer when required. Any near misses, delays due to unsafe conditions, or mechanical issues must be recorded and investigated promptly.
10. Continuous Improvement and Feedback
After each major lift or at the end of the day, supervisors should debrief the team to discuss what went well and what could be improved. This feedback loop helps identify gaps in the plan, training needs, or areas where additional resources or controls are necessary. The supervisor should liaise with the safety officer and competent person to integrate these lessons into future lifts and safety protocols.
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