A standard lift plan records how a routine lift will be performed. It commonly covers the load, crane setup, rigging, lift path, site hazards, crew roles, and communication method.
A critical lift plan addresses a lift that the applicable rule or project procedure classifies as critical. It often adds more detailed calculations, drawings, hazard controls, review, and approval. The exact difference is set by the employer, owner, contract, site program, or governing authority; it is not always tied to one capacity percentage.
For example, OSHA requires a qualified person to plan a construction lift in which more than one crane supports the load under 29 CFR 1926.1432. The rule requires a plan-review meeting but does not say the plan must be written or bear a professional engineer’s stamp. A site or contract may impose stricter documentation and approval requirements.
The practical distinction is the level of scrutiny required for the job, not simply whether one document is “operational” and the other is “engineered.”
Review the typical contents of a critical lift plan or follow our guide to planning a critical lift.