Appointed Person for Lifting Operations
In lifting and hoisting operations, safety is never accidental.
It is the outcome of clear responsibility, competent decision-making and structured planning. At the centre of this process stands the Appointed Person.
The Appointed Person is the individual who carries overall responsibility for planning, coordinating and controlling lifting operations. This role is fundamental to legal compliance, technical correctness and operational safety — across all industries and jurisdictions.
On this page, Cranes for You explains what an Appointed Person is, why the role is essential, how it is embedded in international standards, and how Appointed Person training is applied in practice.
What Is an Appointed Person?
An Appointed Person is a competent individual formally designated to plan and manage lifting operations.
International standards require that lifting activities are properly planned, risk-assessed and controlled. The Appointed Person ensures that these requirements are met by taking responsibility for the technical, organisational and procedural aspects of lifting operations.
The role goes far beyond supervision.
An Appointed Person:
- defines how lifts are carried out,
- ensuring that a lift plan is prepared for every lifting operation,
- and verifies that lifting operations are safe, feasible and compliant.
In practice, the Appointed Person acts as the key interface between engineering, supervision and execution.
Why the Appointed Person Role Matters in Lifting Operations
Lifting operations involve suspended loads, dynamic forces and close interaction between people and machinery. Without clear ownership, risks increase rapidly.
The Appointed Person role is essential because it:
- establishes clear accountability,
- prevents fragmented decision-making,
- ensures consistency in lift planning,
- and provides a single point of authority for lifting operations.
Incident investigations repeatedly show that failures are rarely caused by equipment alone. More often, they result from inadequate planning, unclear responsibilities or insufficient competence — precisely the risks the Appointed Person role is designed to control.
Legal and Standards Background
Lifting operations within Europe are governed by a hierarchy of legal and normative requirements, starting at European level and extending through national legislation and recognised standards.
At the highest level, the European Work Equipment Directive (Directive 2009/104/EC) sets mandatory requirements for the safe use of work equipment, including lifting and hoisting equipment. This directive requires employers to ensure that lifting operations are properly planned, supervised and carried out by competent persons.
Each EU Member State transposes this directive into national legislation, making these requirements legally binding at country level. While the terminology may differ between countries, the underlying obligations remain the same: lifting operations must be organised, controlled and executed in a safe and demonstrable manner.
In the United Kingdom, these obligations are implemented through national regulations such as LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) and supported by recognised British Standards, including BS 7121. These documents explicitly describe the need for a designated competent person responsible for planning and managing lifting operations — a role functionally equivalent to the Appointed Person.
Across Europe and beyond, international standards such as ISO 23813 and ISO 12480-1 further formalise these principles. They define requirements for lift planning, allocation of responsibilities and competence of personnel involved in lifting operations.
Taken together, European directives, national legislation and international standards all point to the same conclusion:
lifting operations require clear ownership, competent planning and structured control.
In practice, this makes the appointment of a qualified Appointed Person unavoidable for organisations that wish to operate safely, legally and professionally.
Download the Appointed Person Guideline
Download our comprehensive guideline covering the legal framework, responsibilities and best practices for the Appointed Person in lifting operations.
This guide supports organisations and professionals in demonstrating competence, compliance and structured lift planning.
Core Responsibilities of the Appointed Person
The responsibilities of an Appointed Person typically include:
- defining the scope and method of lifting operations
- ensuring lift plans are prepared and reviewed
- verifying load data, lifting points and rigging arrangements
- selecting appropriate lifting equipment and configurations
- coordinating interfaces between engineering, supervision and execution
- confirming personnel competence and role clarity
- ensuring risks are identified and controlled
- authorising the start of lifting operations
These responsibilities apply to routine, non-routine and complex lifts alike. The complexity of the lift determines the level of planning — not the need for responsibility.
Appointed Person vs Related Roles
Clear distinction between lifting roles is essential to avoid gaps in responsibility.
- Appointed Person
Holds overall responsibility for planning, coordination and control of lifting operations. - Crane Supervisor / Lift Supervisor
Supervises execution on site but does not carry overall planning responsibility. - Responsible Person
A broader organisational role that may include lifting among other duties. - Lifting Focal Point
Often an advisory or coordinating role without formal authority.
Only the Appointed Person combines technical authority, planning responsibility and operational control for lifting operations.
Appointed Person Training with Cranes for You
Cranes for You provides specialist Appointed Person training focused exclusively on lifting and hoisting operations.
Our training:
- is aligned with ISO 23813,
- is based on real-world lifting scenarios,
- addresses both technical and legal responsibilities,
- and is delivered by senior lifting professionals.
Participants develop the competence required to assess risks, justify decisions and manage lifting operations in complex operational environments.
Training is available as:
- open courses,
- in-company programmes,
- and tailored sessions for specific industries or lifting activities.
What You Will Learn in Appointed Person Training
After completing the Appointed Person training, participants are able to:
- plan and coordinate lifting operations in a structured and controlled manner
- identify hazards and perform risk assessments for lifting activities
- develop, review and justify lift plans for all types of lifts
- select appropriate cranes, lifting equipment and rigging configurations
- understand and apply European, national and international legal requirements
- define roles, responsibilities and communication lines within the lifting team
- make informed technical decisions and intervene when lifting conditions change
Qualification and Certification
Appointed Person training may result in different forms of recognition, which should not be confused.
-
Certificate of Attendance
Confirms that the participant attended the training programme.
It does not demonstrate competence or authority. -
Evidence of Competence
Demonstrates that the individual is able to apply knowledge, exercise judgement and take responsibility for lifting operations, typically through assessment and practical evaluation.
Organisations should ensure that appointed persons are not only trained, but also demonstrably competent for the role they perform.
Who Should Become an Appointed Person?
The Appointed Person role is suited to experienced professionals involved in lifting operations, such as:
- senior crane operators,
- lifting supervisors,
- rigging specialists,
- engineers involved in lift planning,
- or managers with operational responsibility.
The role requires experience, technical insight and sound judgement. It is not an administrative function, but a position of operational authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Appointed Person legally required?
While legislation may not always explicitly name the role, legal requirements for safe planning and supervision make the appointment of an Appointed Person effectively mandatory in lifting operations.
Does every lift require an Appointed Person?
Yes. The level of planning may vary, but responsibility for lifting operations must always be clearly assigned.
Is Appointed Person training mandatory?
Training is the most effective way to demonstrate competence and compliance, particularly in high-risk or internationally regulated environments.
Conclusion
The Appointed Person plays a central role in lifting safety, compliance and operational control. Without this role, lifting operations lack clear ownership and technical governance.
Cranes for You specialises exclusively in lifting and hoisting operations and supports organisations with Appointed Person training, consultancy and lift plan verification — ensuring that lifting activities are safe, compliant and professionally managed.
Practical information and registration
For organisations and professionals who have determined that Appointed Person training is appropriate for their role and responsibilities, a formal registration process is available.
Registration is handled via a separate form and is intended for individual participants as well as organisations registering one or more Appointed Persons.
