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Title / Demonstrate and apply knowledge of slingingregularloads safely
Level / 3 / Credits / 14
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to:
–demonstrate knowledge of hazards, hazard control, and lift planning;
–demonstrate knowledge of lifting gear and working load limit (WLL) tables; and
–prepare for, and sling regular loads safely.
Classification / Cranes > Crane Operation
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1This unit standard is the first of a series of three standards about slinging loads – Unit 30072, Unit 3789 and Unit 3801.
This unit standard is an introductory standard and is also a pre-requisite unit standard for the cranes unit standards:16617, 20208, 3800 and 3789, and those used in other industries.
Unit 3789 is required by the Approved Code of Practice for Cranes to operate as a Dogman slinging loads.
2Definitions
Crane – the definition as given in the Health and Safety in Employment (Pressure Equipment, Cranes, and Passenger Ropeways) Regulations 1999.
Regular loads have the following characteristics – uniform weight distribution; concentric loading or regular proportions; known lifting points; repetitively lifted.
3Assessment
Assessment must involve a minimum of two different assessor observed lifts.
4All tasks are to be carried out in accordance with the equipment manufacturer requirements,applicable company procedures, and industry good practicefound in the following sources:
acompany quality management systems;
bhealth and safety requirements and guidelines consistent with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015;
cequipment manufacturer operating instructions;
dgovernment and local government legislation, regulations, and bylaws;
eCrane Safety Manual, version 3 or higher, available from
fApproved Code of Practice for Cranes, and/or the Approved Code of Practice for Load-lifting Rigging available from available from theLEENZ Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of hazards, hazard control, and lift planning.
Evidence requirements
1.1Demonstrate knowledge of controllingsite-specific hazards, potential hazards, and risks.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – vehicles; equipment; ground condition; underground services;power sources; overhead service lines; trees, buildings, and structures; unauthorised people; adverse weather conditions; simultaneous operations;risks to the environment; pinch points.
1.2Demonstrate knowledge of controlling load hazards, potential hazards, and risks.
Rangemay include but is not limited to –failure of lifting points/load, sharp edges, regular and irregular load differences, load support, loose objects on the load, hazardous goods, load security, effects of weather.
1.3Demonstrate knowledge oflift planningin relation to the people actively involved in the lift, and people in the area of operations.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate knowledge oflifting gear and working load limit (WLL) tables.
Evidence requirements
2.1Describe lifting equipment in relation to their type, purpose and use.
2.2Explain how to use lifting gear WLL tables.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – shackles, wire rope slings, chainslings,synthetic slings, eyebolts.
2.3Explain the difference between WLL, safe working load (SWL), and minimum breaking load (MBL) and identify safety factors for lifting gear.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – shackles, wire rope slings, chainslings,synthetic slings, eyebolts.
Outcome 3
Prepare for, and sling regular loads safely.
Evidence requirements
3.1Inspect and evaluate lifting gear to ensure it is safe and appropriate to use.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – lifting beams, spreader bars; slings, shackles, eye bolts; natural, synthetic and wire ropes; chains and web slings;
evidence is required for at least four different items.
3.2Interpret WLL tables or capacity charts of lifting equipment, to select lifting equipment for regular loads and apply to the load.
Rangeat least four of – ropes, chains, web slings, lifting beams, spreader bars, slings, shackles, eyebolts, lifting devices, magnet.
3.3Prepare and slingregular loads for lifting, including at least two loads of different material with different rigging types that have a reduced WLL due to sling angle or configuration.
3.4Select and apply packing and dunnage to loads.
3.5Identify hazards from, and apply controls to, swinging and spinning loads.
Rangeincludes attaching and using a restraint line to orientate loads when lifted.
3.6Tie knots using natural or synthetic ropes for use in controlling loads.
Rangeat least three of – bowline, clove hitch, sheet bend, figure 8.
3.7Demonstratethe recognised stop signal that is used to communicate with a crane operator during a lift.
3.8Remove lifting equipment from load without injury to persons or damage to load and/or equipment.
Planned review date / 31 December 2021Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 15 June 2017 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0003
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact The Skills Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
The Skills OrganisationSSB Code 100401 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018