IOGP – Lifting & Hoisting Safety Recommended Practice

The IOGP Lifting & Hoisting Safety Recommended Practice (Report 376) sets out updated, industry-approved guidance intended to substantially reduce lifting and hoisting incidents in both onshore and offshore operations within the energy sector. Because lifting and hoisting remain among the most frequent causes of serious incidents and fatalities in exploration, production, construction and logistics activities, this guidance is a critical resource for organisations and contractors worldwide.

Summary of the Guidance

The Recommended Practice covers essential principles, roles, and procedures covering the entire lifecycle of lifting operations. Key aspects include:

• Comprehensive lift planning & risk assessment: Every lift must be planned with hazard identification, method statement, equipment selection and risk controls. Deviations from the plan require the lift to be halted and re-assessed.
• Clear roles & responsibilities: A “Person in Charge” (PIC) must be designated for each lift. All crew members (operators, riggers, signallers, inspectors) must be competent and assigned defined tasks.
• Equipment standards, inspection & maintenance: All lifting appliances and accessories must be certified, marked (SWL/WLL, ID/serial, inspection date), maintained and inspected (including thorough examinations) in line with a documented scheme.
• High-risk lifting considerations: Special procedures apply for tandem lifts, personnel lifting, lifting over hydrocarbon / hazardous zones, lifting in marine/offshore environments, lifts near hazards (power-lines, plant), lifts in high wind or adverse ground conditions, and “hands-free” or remote-controlled lifts.
• Lift categorisation & control levels: Lifts are categorised by risk (e.g. routine vs high-risk), determining the required level of planning, competence, equipment and oversight.
• Mandatory exclusion zones (“Red Zones”): During lifts, unauthorised personnel must be kept clear of “red zones” — areas under or near suspended loads or load path — using physical barriers and access control.

Practical Relevance for Onshore & Offshore Operations

Applying the IOGP Recommended Practice helps to:

• Ensure standardised, transparent and auditable lifting procedures across projects, reducing variability and human error.
• Prevent accidents such as dropped loads, collisions, overload, structural failure or load swings — especially in complex or high-risk environments (offshore, process plants, confined space, heavy-lift).
• Improve communication and coordination among all parties (owner/operator, contractor, crane team, riggers) and clarify accountability.
• Maintain a properly controlled and maintained fleet of lifting gear — ensuring long-term reliability and legal compliance.
• Manage high-risk lifts with special precautions and oversight, improving safety sufficiently to meet international HSE standards.

This guidance is relevant for: oil & gas operators, offshore platforms, heavy-lift contractors, logistics/transport companies, construction & maintenance firms, and any organisation involved in mechanical lifting or hoisting operations — onshore or offshore.

Official Source & Version Info

• The guidance is published by IOGP under the title Lifting & Hoisting Safety Recommended Practice — Report 376.
• The current version is version 2.0 (revised August 2022), updating the original 2006 release.

Related Knowledge Articles

• Hoisting and Rigging Safety Manual
• CPA / ALLMI Best Practice Guide – Safe Use of Lorry Loaders
• CPA – Maintenance, Inspection & Thorough Examination of Mobile Cranes
• Guidance on Lifting Operations Using Excavators

Ready to Improve Safety and Compliance?

Adopt the IOGP Recommended Practice as the baseline for all lifting and hoisting operations in your organisation — both onshore and offshore.
Download the latest (2022) version of Report 376 via the IOGP link and integrate its principles into your lift-planning, equipment-management, inspection- and training-procedures.