CPA – ALLMI Best Practice Guide for the Safe Use of Lorry Loaders

The CPA – ALLMI Best Practice Guide for the Safe Use of Lorry Loaders is a comprehensive, industry-endorsed reference for the safe planning, operation, maintenance and inspection of lorry-mounted loader cranes (“lorry loaders”). This guide helps ensure that loader-crane operations comply with standards, reduce risk, and are executed professionally — making it a core safety resource for companies working with lorry loaders.

Because loader-crane operations combine elements of lifting, transport, stability, rigging and operator competence, they pose multiple hazards when not managed correctly. Including this guide in the Knowledge Centre ensures you have a clear, standardised reference for safe use, proper training and legal compliance.

Summary of the Guide

Key elements of the guide include:

• Guidance on planning and management of lifts with lorry loaders: defining roles, responsibilities, selecting competent personnel, preparing lift plans, site surveys and method statements.
• Requirements for siting and correct positioning of the lorry loader: stable ground, outriggers/stabilisers, ground-bearing checks, and other foundation/stability considerations before operation.
• Pre-operational checks, inspection and maintenance routines to ensure the loader crane and associated equipment (crane, stabilisers, rigging, remote controls) are in safe, serviceable condition before each lift.
• Competence, training and familiarisation of personnel: operators, slingers/signallers, supervisors must meet the standards set out by ALLMI and Construction Plant‑hire Association (CPA), as required by the guide and by standard regulations (e.g. BS 7121 Part 4: 2010).
• Operational safety practices: safe boom positioning, load handling, sling- and rigging-techniques, safe use of remote controls, control of environmental and site-specific hazards (e.g. ground conditions, overhead power lines, traffic, obstacles).
• Maintenance, inspection and thorough examination requirements — to ensure ongoing safety, functional integrity and compliance over the lifetime of the loader crane.

In effect: the guide combines practical procedures, safety-critical checks and compliance-frameworks, applicable across multiple use-cases of lorry loaders — from small transport & delivery to heavy-lift operations.

Practical Relevance for Heavy-Lifting Industry

Applying this guide in practice offers:

• A standardised benchmark for companies operating lorry loaders — ensuring all operations follow recognised best practices, reducing variability and risk.
• Increased safety: through correct siting, proper maintenance, pre-checks and competent operators, the chance of accidents, equipment failure or instability is significantly reduced.
• Regulatory compliance: by aligning with BS 7121 Part 4 and endorsed industry guidance, companies meet expected safety and legal requirements.
• Clear responsibilities: roles for operator, slinger/signaller, supervisor, and responsible person for the lift are defined — improving accountability and organisation.
• Better asset management: regular inspection and maintenance of loader cranes prolong lifespan, prevent premature wear, and reduce downtime or costly failures.
• Uniformity across projects: whether small deliveries or complex lifts, adherence to the guide ensures consistency in method statements, risk assessments, documentation and execution.

This is especially relevant for companies working across sectors where lorry loaders are common: construction, transport & logistics, installation, infrastructure, building materials delivery, etc.

Official Source / Reference

The guide is jointly published by ALLMI and CPA and is titled Safe Use of Lorry Loaders. The document is publicly available and regularly updated.

Related Knowledge Articles

• Safe Lifting: Why Every Lift Requires a Lift Plan
• Checklist for Safe Transport of Oversized Components (e.g. wind-turbine blades)
• ICSA Crane Ground Preparation for Wind Farms
• CPA Good Practice Guide – Use of Mobile Cranes alongside Railways

Ready to Improve Safety and Efficiency?

Integrating the ALLMI/CPA Best Practice Guide into your company’s lifting procedures ensures every lorry-loader operation is planned, executed and documented according to best practice — improving safety, legal compliance and operational consistency.
Download the guide via the link on this page or download the document here and embed its principles directly into your internal procedures for lifting, transport and loading operations.