Lift Director Training
Critical Lift Planning Course
A lift director coordinates people, equipment, planning, communication, and changing site conditions to determine whether a crane lift proceeds safely.
KARM Safety Solutions’ Lift Director and Critical Lift Planning Training is an approximately eight-hour, self-paced online course for supervisors, crane and rigging leaders, competent persons, safety professionals, and others assigned to direct lifting operations.
What This Online Training Covers
This course prepares participants to safely plan and manage lifting operations:
Lift Planning Fundamentals
- Understanding lift requirements
- Identifying critical lift conditions
Load Calculations & Capacity
- Load weight estimation
- Crane capacity and limitations
Equipment & Setup
- Crane setup and ground conditions
- Outrigger placement and stability
Rigging & Load Control
- Rigging selection and inspection
- Load balance and control
Communication & Coordination
- Roles of lift director, operator, rigger, signal person
- Pre-lift meetings and communication plans
Hazard Recognition
- Power line hazards
- Environmental conditions
- Site-specific risks
Who Needs the Training
Lift directors and assistant lift directors
Crane supervisors and project superintendents
Rigger and signal-person leads
Safety managers and competent persons
Managers responsible for critical-lift planning and approval
Course Duration and Delivery Options
Approximately 8 hours, self-paced online.
• 24/7 self-paced online training
• Instructor support for course questions
• Private employer cohorts by arrangement
• Optional onsite lift-planning workshop or plan review by quote
Locations Served
Online access nationwide. On-site consulting or custom workshops may be quoted for Oregon, Washington, and other locations.
OSHA Requirements for Lift Planning
Under OSHA 1926 Subpart CC, employers must ensure:
- Lifting operations are planned and supervised
- Operators, riggers, and signal persons are qualified
- Equipment is inspected and used properly
- Hazards are identified and controlled
Important Compliance Note:
OSHA does not specifically require a “lift director certification,” but requires competent supervision and safe lift planning.
Industry Standards for Critical Lifts
In addition to OSHA, critical lifts are often guided by:
ASME B30 standards (cranes and rigging)
Employer-specific lift plans and procedures
These standards emphasize pre-lift planning, communication, and hazard control.