Rule #001 – It Starts and Ends With People
Category : Leadership
Published : June 16, 2026
Equipment can be rented. Schedules can be adjusted. Procedures can be revised.
People make the difference.
Every successful operation depends on having the right people, with the right competence, assigned to the right responsibilities, and positioned where they can provide the greatest value.
No amount of planning can overcome a lack of competence, communication, or leadership.
Key Takeaway
The right people, with the right competence, in the right roles, at the right place, at the right time.
Rule #002 – Success Is Determined Before the Work Begins
Category: Planning
Published: June 16, 2026
Principle
Most operations succeed or fail long before the first load leaves the ground.
Time spent understanding the scope, identifying hazards, selecting the right equipment, verifying assumptions, and preparing the crew is never wasted.
Problems discovered during planning are inexpensive to correct.
Problems discovered during execution are often costly, disruptive, and sometimes irreversible.
Why It Matters
Crane incidents, rigging failures, transport delays, and schedule impacts are rarely caused by a single event. More often, they are the result of assumptions, incomplete information, or inadequate preparation.
Good execution is the outcome of good planning.
Key Takeaway
The quality of the outcome is determined by the quality of the preparation.
Rule #003 – If It Doesn’t Feel Right, Stop and Reassess
Category: Human Performance
Published: June 16, 2026
Principle
Listen to your instincts.
If something does not look right, sound right, or feel right, stop and understand why before proceeding.
Uncertainty, conflicting information, unexpected conditions, or pressure to continue are often early warning signs that something has been overlooked.
Experience, intuition, and questioning attitudes are valuable defenses against incidents.
There is no shame in stopping the work to verify assumptions, reassess the plan, or seek additional expertise.
Why It Matters
Many incidents are preceded by warning signs that were recognized but ignored.
Trusting your instincts and speaking up can prevent injuries, equipment damage, and costly delays.
Key Takeaway
If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Stop and reassess.
Rule #004 – Never Assume, Verify the Actual Conditions
Category: Human Performance
Published: June 24, 2026
Principle
Never assume conditions are the same as they were yesterday, earlier in the shift, or as shown on a drawing or plan.
Before starting a lift, verify the actual conditions in the field.
Check clearances, obstructions, equipment locations, ground conditions, load configuration, and any changes made by other work groups.
Conditions can change quickly, and assumptions can create hazards that are not identified in the plan.
Good decisions are based on facts and verification, not expectations.
Why It Matters
Many incidents occur because people acted on assumptions instead of confirming the actual conditions.
A walkdown, visual check, or brief verification can identify hazards before they become incidents.
Taking the time to verify conditions protects people, equipment, and the work.
Key Takeaway
Do not assume. Go and check the actual conditions before making any lift.
Rule #005 – See the Bigger Picture
Category: Human Performance
Published: June 24, 2026
Principle
Do not become so focused on your task that you lose awareness of what is happening around you.
Before and during any lift, understand the overall conditions within the work area.
Look beyond the load, crane, and immediate crew. Identify nearby activities, vehicle movements, personnel, energized systems, adjacent work fronts, and any SIMOPS that could affect the lift.
Conditions outside your immediate work area can create hazards that are not obvious when attention is focused only on the task at hand.
Maintain situational awareness and understand how your work interacts with the activities around you.
Why It Matters
Many incidents occur because crews focus solely on their own scope of work and fail to recognize changing conditions or conflicting activities nearby.
Understanding the bigger picture helps identify hazards early, improve coordination between work groups, and prevent conflicts that can impact people, equipment, and operations.
Key Takeaway
Do not work in a bubble. Understand what is happening around your lift area and always consider the bigger picture.