Overhead Crane Training Course | Slinging & Lifting Training | C&G Services

Overhead travelling cranes are an essential part of many manufacturing, engineering, construction and industrial operations, enabling heavy and awkward loads to be moved efficiently within the workplace. However, crane and lifting operations also present significant risks if equipment is incorrectly selected, loads are improperly secured, or operators lack the necessary knowledge and practical competence.

The Overhead Crane Training Course from C&G Services is designed for novice,  inexperienced and experienced operators who need to safely operate overhead travelling cranes, select lifting accessories and carry out basic slinging and lifting operations in the workplace.

Delivered over two days, depending on previous experience, the course combines classroom-based learning with practical instruction, allowing candidates to develop both theoretical understanding and hands-on operational competence.

C&G Services delivers overhead crane, slinging and lifting training for employers across the UK, with courses tailored to workplace equipment, lifting accessories, typical loads and operational requirements.

Who Should Attend?

 This course is designed for operatives who, as part of their normal duties, need to:

• Operate overhead travelling cranes.
• Select and use lifting accessories.
• Sling and secure workplace loads.
• Lift, move and position general loads.
• Work alongside other personnel involved in lifting operations.
• Direct or control loads using appropriate communication methods.

It is particularly suitable for individuals who are new to overhead crane operations or who have limited previous experience and require structured training to develop their competence.

Why Professional Training Matters

Lifting operations should never be treated as a routine task simply because they are carried out regularly. Every lift presents potential hazards, including dropped loads, crushing injuries, trapping points, uncontrolled load movement, equipment failure and contact with people or structures.

A competent crane operator needs to understand considerably more than simply how to operate the crane controls. They must be able to recognise hazards, understand load characteristics, select appropriate lifting accessories, identify defects, understand safe working loads and communicate effectively with others involved in the operation.

Professional training therefore plays an important role in preventing accidents and establishing a positive safety culture within the workplace.

Course Aims

The aim of the course is to provide candidates with a robust understanding and practical ability to safely operate an overhead travelling crane and use associated lifting accessories.

On successful completion, candidates should be able to operate an overhead travelling crane safely and effectively, in accordance with:

• Manufacturer’s instructions.
• Established industry good practice.
• Workplace procedures.
• Relevant health and safety legislation.
• The principles of safe lifting operations.

Candidates will also develop an understanding of their own responsibilities and those of other personnel involved in lifting operations.

What Does the Course Cover?

 Safe Behaviours

The course introduces a process assessing, encouraging operators to develop a proactive approach to identifying hazards and making safe decisions before and during lifting operations.

Candidates are encouraged to consider:

• What could go wrong?
• What hazards are present?
• Is the equipment suitable?
• Is the load properly secured?
• Are people in a safe position?
• What could change during the lift?
• What controls are required before proceeding?

This helps develop the mindset that safe lifting starts before the crane is operated.

Duties and Responsibilities

Candidates learn about the duties and responsibilities of personnel associated with lifting operations, including the importance of working within their level of competence and following established procedures.

The course emphasises that safe lifting is a team activity and may involve:

• Crane operators.
• Slingers
• Signallers
• Supervisors
• Lift planners.
• Other workplace personnel.

Clear communication and an understanding of individual responsibilities are essential to maintaining control throughout the lifting operation.

Operator Safety

Candidates learn how to protect themselves and others during lifting operations, including awareness of:

• Suspended loads.
• Crush and trapping points.
• Load swing.
• Poor visibility.
• Unauthorised personnel entering the lifting area.
• Obstructions
• Inadequate communication.
• Defective equipment.
• Unsafe positioning.

A fundamental principle is that personnel should never place themselves unnecessarily beneath or within the potential fall or movement zone of a suspended load.

Load Weight, Sling Angles and Safe Working Loads.

Understanding the relationship between load weight, lifting accessories, sling angles and Safe Working Loads (SWL) is fundamental to safe slinging and lifting.

Candidates are introduced to the theory behind:

• Estimating load weights.
• Determining centre of gravity.
• Understanding sling angles.
• Calculating the effect of sling angles on leg loading.
• Safe Working Loads.
• Working Load Limits (WLL).
• Load distribution.
• Selecting appropriate lifting accessories.

This knowledge helps prevent overloading and inappropriate selection of lifting equipment.

Lift Planning and LOLER

Candidates are introduced to routine lift planning procedures and documentation, including the principles introduced in the LOLER approved code of practice, the eight basic steps for the planning of lifting operations

The course reinforces the importance of considering:

• assess the weight and size of the load;
• choose the right accessory for lifting, eg depending upon the nature and weight of the load and the environment in which it is to be used;
• check the anticipated path of the load to make sure that it is not obstructed;
• prepare a suitable place to set down the load;
• fit the sling to the load (using an appropriate method of slinging);
• make the lift (a trial lift may be necessary to confirm the centre of gravity of the load; tag lines may be necessary to stop the load swinging);
• release the slings (boards or similar may be necessary to prevent trapping of the sling); and
• clear up.

Effective planning helps ensure that the lifting operation is properly controlled before the crane is put into motion.

Lifting Accessories and Crane Equipment

Candidates learn about the design, purpose and application of common lifting accessories and overhead crane equipment.

This includes understanding the appropriate use of equipment such as:

• Chain slings.
• Wire rope slings.
• Webbing slings.
• Shackles
• Hooks
• Lifting beams and similar accessories where applicable.
• Other workplace lifting accessories.

The course also covers the importance of using equipment only for its intended purpose and within its rated capacity.

Identification and Inspection

Pre-use inspection is a fundamental part of safe crane operation.

Candidates learn how to identify and inspect lifting accessories and equipment before use and recognise defects that could compromise safety.

Inspection considerations include:

• Physical damage.
• Wear
• Distortion
• Corrosion
• Cuts and abrasion.
• Damaged stitching.
• Deformed hooks.
• Damaged safety catches.
• Damaged identification tags or markings.
• Evidence of overloading.
• Missing or illegible identification information.

Candidates are also taught the importance of reporting defective equipment immediately and preventing unsafe equipment from being used.

Marking and Rating of Equipment.

Candidates develop an understanding of the markings and ratings applied to lifting accessories and overhead cranes.

This includes recognising information relating to:

• Working Load Limit.
• Safe Working Load.
• Identification numbers.
• Manufacturer information.
• Applicable ratings.
• Inspection and examination information.

Understanding these markings is essential when selecting equipment for a particular lifting operation.

Pre-Use Crane Inspection

Before operating an overhead travelling crane, the operator should undertake the appropriate pre-use checks.

Candidates are introduced to checks covering relevant aspects of:

• Crane controls.
• Hooks
• Safety devices.
• Pendant controls.
• Emergency stops.
• Wire ropes or chains where applicable.
• Crane structure.
• Travel mechanisms.
• Audible or visual warning systems.
• Signs of damage or abnormal operation.

Any defect or concern should be reported in accordance with the employer’s procedures.

Practical Crane Operation

A major component of the course is practical training.

Candidates develop their ability to operate basic crane controls and safely manoeuvre the crane both loaded and unloaded.

Practical exercises may include:

• Starting and stopping crane movements.
• Long travel.
• Cross travel.
• Hoisting and lowering.
• Coordinating crane movements.
• Positioning the hook correctly.
• Controlling load swing.
• Maintaining awareness of surrounding hazards.
• Moving loads safely through the working area.

The objective is not simply to teach candidates how to move a load, but how to maintain control throughout the complete lifting operation.

Practical Slinging and Movement of Loads

Candidates receive practical experience in slinging and moving workplace loads.

This enables them to apply their classroom knowledge when:

• Assessing a load.
• Selecting appropriate accessories.
• Checking lifting equipment.
• Positioning slings correctly.
• Connecting accessories.
• Establishing appropriate lifting points.
• Performing a controlled initial lift.
• Checking load stability.
• Moving the load safely.
• Positioning and landing the load.

Multi-Legged accessories

Candidates are introduced to the selection and use of lifting accessories for multi-legged lifting operations.

Emphasis is placed on understanding how sling configuration and sling angles affect the forces applied to individual sling legs and lifting points.

Correct equipment selection and configuration are essential to prevent overloading.

Hand Signals and Tag Lines

Effective communication is vital when the operator’s visibility is restricted or when other personnel are directing the lifting operation.

Candidates learn appropriate:

• Hand signals.
• Communication procedures.
• Signalling arrangements.
• Tag line techniques.

The course reinforces the importance of having clear communication arrangements established before lifting begins.

Landing and Removing Loads

Safe lifting does not end when the load reaches its destination.

Candidates learn procedures for:

• Positioning the load.
• Landing it safely.
• Ensuring stability.
• Removing lifting accessories safely.
• Avoiding trapping and crush hazards.
• Checking accessories after use.
• Returning equipment to the correct storage location.

Correct storage helps protect lifting accessories from damage and ensures they remain suitable for future use.

Crane Isolation and Parking

Candidates are taught the correct procedures for safely isolating and parking an overhead travelling crane when it is no longer required.

This includes following workplace procedures and ensuring the equipment is left in a safe condition.

Legislation and Good Practice

The course introduces candidates to the principal UK health and safety legislation relevant to their activities, including:

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Provides the overarching framework for occupational health and safety in Great Britain and establishes duties placed on employers and employees.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)

Provides requirements relating to the suitability, maintenance, inspection and safe use of work equipment.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Includes requirements relating to risk assessment, arrangements for managing health and safety, competence, information and training.

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)

LOLER specifically addresses the safe use of lifting equipment and lifting accessories, including requirements concerning planning, organisation, supervision, examination and safe use.

Candidates are encouraged to understand not only the legislation itself but how these requirements translate into practical workplace behaviours.

The Benefits to Employers

Investing in professional Overhead Crane Slinging & Lifting training can provide significant benefits to employers.

Improved Safety

Competent operators are better equipped to identify hazards and control risks before an incident occurs.

Reduced Risk of Dropped Loads

Correct equipment selection, inspection and slinging techniques reduce the likelihood of load instability and dropped loads.

Greater Operator Confidence

Structured practical training gives new operators the opportunity to develop their skills in a controlled learning environment.

Improved Productivity

Competent operators can carry out lifting operations efficiently while maintaining appropriate safety standards.

Reduced Equipment Damage

Controlled crane movements and appropriate load handling can reduce the risk of collisions, impact damage and misuse.

Improved Compliance

Training supports employers in demonstrating that personnel involved in lifting operations have received appropriate instruction and are developing the required level of competence.

Stronger Safety Culture

Training reinforces the principle that lifting operations must be properly planned, carried out by competent people and undertaken using suitable equipment.

Why Choose C&G Services?

At C&G Services, we understand that effective plant and lifting training needs to go beyond simply operating machinery. Candidates need to understand why safe working procedures are necessary and how their decisions can affect themselves, colleagues and the wider workplace.

Our experienced trainers combine theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on instruction, enabling candidates to develop the competence required to undertake overhead crane and slinging operations safely.

Courses can also be tailored to reflect the employer’s equipment, workplace environment, typical loads and operational requirements.

Whether you are training a new operator or developing the competence of an existing workforce, professional training is an important investment in safety, compliance and operational efficiency.

Develop Competence. Improve Safety. Lift with Confidence.

An overhead crane is only as safe as the people planning, operating and controlling the lifting operation.

Our Overhead Crane Slinging & Lifting Courses provide candidates with the essential foundation they need to progress towards competent and responsible crane operation.

Contact C&G Services to discuss your overhead crane, slinging and lifting training requirements and find out how we can support your organisation.

Telephone: 01453 826781

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.gettrained.co.uk