Moving heavy equipment, machinery or materials may seem like a straightforward job for an experienced in-house crew, but performing a lift internally means your organization also takes on the risks that come with it. An improperly planned or executed lift can result in serious injuries, property damage, regulatory violations, project delays and insurance complications. Before choosing an in-house lift to save time or money, organizations should understand the full scope of the exposure.
Safe lifting operations require careful planning, qualified personnel and equipment suited to the specific load and conditions. Common crane and rigging risks include:
These can result in dropped loads, struck-by injuries, damaged equipment and delayed projects. Business interruption, expedited freight, customer delays and contract penalties can quickly cost more than hiring a qualified rigging contractor.
OSHA’s construction crane standard requires crane operators to be trained, certified or licensed, and evaluated before operating covered equipment. While riggers are not required to hold a certification, OSHA does require them to be qualified. This means the employer has determined they have the knowledge, training and experience to rig the specific load and lift. Some employers still use third-party rigger certification as an added check on skills. Violations can lead to citations, stop-work orders, corrective action requirements and closer regulatory scrutiny.
Liability often depends on how well the lift was planned, staffed and documented. After an incident, investigators typically focus on whether:
The answers can shape defense costs, indemnity obligations and how a claim is resolved. If workers who are not properly qualified or certified handle the rigging or crane operation, much of the liability may fall on the organization. This can lead to lawsuits, negligence allegations, and denied or disputed insurance claims.
Lifting and rigging can create several overlapping exposures, including:
Many organizations assume their commercial general liability (GL) policy will respond to these exposures, but standard GL policies often limit or exclude coverage. Closing those gaps typically requires additional coverage, including:
Handling a lift in-house may save a subcontractor’s fee, but a single dropped load or denied claim can quickly outweigh those savings. Before work begins, consider whether your organization has qualified personnel, documented training, lift planning, inspection procedures and confirmed coverage in place. If any of these are missing, or the lift is complex or high value, a qualified crane and rigging firm can take on much of the exposure.
Our Risk Consulting team can help you assess crane and rigging exposures, review contract and insurance requirements, and build controls that protect your people and property. Connect with us today to learn more.