Our Services

Lift Planning & Engineering Services

Sherrington Lifting provide Hiab Crane and Equipment hire in Liverpool, Manchester and the North West. Contact us today to find out more about our available cranes and equipment.

Lift Planning & Engineering Services

At Sherrington Lifting Services, our Lift Planning and Engineering Services provide expert technical analysis, detailed design and full project management support to ensure every lifting operation is carried out safely, efficiently and in full compliance with UK regulations. Lift planning is a critical part of any crane, heavy lifting or contract lifting operation, and it requires a combination of engineering expertise, practical site experience and a deep understanding of lifting safety standards.

We specialise in delivering engineered lift plans, crane lift studies, rigging design solutions and contract lifting support for complex, heavy and high-risk lifting operations across the construction, infrastructure, industrial, marine and energy sectors. From initial concept through to on-site execution, our lift planning team works closely with clients to develop safe, practical and cost-effective lifting solutions tailored to each project’s specific requirements.

Lift planning and engineering involves far more than simply selecting a crane. It includes detailed 3D CAD modelling, load calculations, ground bearing analysis, rigging configuration design and full risk assessment development to ensure every aspect of the lift is fully considered before work begins. Our engineers evaluate load weights, crane capacities, site constraints, environmental conditions and access limitations to design lifting operations that minimise risk while maximising efficiency and safety.

A key part of our service is rigging design and lifting equipment specification, where we engineer safe lifting arrangements for standard and irregular loads. This includes the design and selection of lifting beams, spreader systems, lifting frames and specialist rigging configurations to ensure loads remain stable and controlled throughout the lifting process. By combining technical engineering with practical lifting experience, we deliver solutions that are both safe and operationally effective.

We also carry out detailed structural and ground load assessments, including crane outrigger pressure calculations and quayside or foundation load evaluations. This ensures that ground conditions and supporting structures are capable of safely withstanding the forces applied during lifting operations. These assessments are particularly important for heavy crane lifts, marine works, infrastructure projects and industrial installations where ground stability and structural integrity are critical to safe execution.

In addition to technical design, we provide full site management and lifting supervision support, supplying experienced Appointed Persons, crane supervisors, slinger/signallers and lifting coordinators to oversee operations on site. This ensures that every lift is carried out in accordance with the approved lift plan, with clear communication, controlled execution and full compliance with LOLER, PUWER and BS7121 standards.

Our lift planning and engineering services also include risk assessments, method statements, feasibility studies and compliance audits, helping clients maintain safe systems of work and meet all legal and operational requirements. Whether it is a straightforward crane lift or a highly complex engineered lifting project, we ensure all risks are identified, assessed and controlled before the lift takes place.

Sherrington Lifting Services supports a wide range of industries including construction, civil engineering, renewable energy, marine operations, manufacturing, infrastructure development and heavy machinery installation. Our experience allows us to manage everything from single-lift planning requirements to full contract lifting packages involving multiple cranes, complex rigging systems and detailed engineering coordination.

By combining advanced engineering capability with real-world lifting experience, we deliver lift planning solutions that improve safety, reduce downtime and ensure lifting operations are completed efficiently and without disruption. Whether you require detailed crane lift planning, rigging design, or full contract lifting engineering support, Sherrington Lifting Services provides a reliable, professional and fully compliant solution for projects across the UK.

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When it comes to our specialist crane hire services, we value the importance of thoroughly liaising with each of our customers to ensure that we are able to provide them with tailored solutions, unique to their specific project.

Frequently Asked Questions

All cranes have a maximum design wind speed for safe operation. When the wind speed exceeds this limit the crane must be taken out of service. Different types of crane, different models of the same type of crane and different configurations of the same model may operate with different maximum wind speeds. The operating wind speed for the crane will allow for

the load having a certain wind area; if this is exceeded then the working wind speed will need to be reduced (see the manufacturer’s manual for information on this).

Typical maximum operating wind speeds are:

– Mobile Cranes 9.8 m/s (22 m.p.h.)
– Beaufort Scale 5

Hazards best avoided, where possible, include:

– Overhead electric lines
– Nearby structures
– Other cranes
– Railways
– Public access areas
– Airfields

Where any part of the crane or its load cannot be kept clear of these hazards, the appropriate authority, e.g. a local electricity supplier or Railtrack, must be consulted.

Danger from vaults or underground services must not be overlooked, and suitable precautions must be taken where they cannot be avoided.

Where the crane or its load passes closer than 600mm to an obstacle, effective precautions must be taken to avoid crushing, by preventing personnel accessing the area.

Where a crane is to be used within 15 metres plus the length of its jib, from overhead power lines on steel towers, (or 9 metres plus the length of the jib, from overhead lines on wood, concrete or steel poles) the guidance given in HSE Guidance Note GS6 must be followed.

Where a crane will work close to railway property (i.e. if it fell over and any part of it, or any load being lifted by it, could fall on railway property), consult the railway property owner and CPES.

If the crane is within 6 km of an airfield, and its height exceeds 10 m or that of the surrounding structures or trees, then the Appointed Person should seek the permission of the airfield manager before starting operations.

Cranes have very high axel weights, and need good solid ground the same as a lorry would need. You will also need to make sure there are no sharp objects in the path of the crane when gaining access to the site.