Six Safety Best Practices for Parking a Load

In the world of industrial lifting and overhead crane operations, safety is not optional — it’s foundational. At Hercules Crane & Lifting Supplies, we believe that proper load-parking procedures are vital to protecting your people, your equipment and your facility. Below are six best practices that every crane operator and rigging team should commit to by heart.

1. Confirm operator and other personnel are clear of the load and its travel path

Before moving a load, make sure that both the operator and all other personnel are fully clear of the travel path and the parking destination. This means training operators to ensure they have an unobstructed view of the load’s path, and verifying that the parking zone is free of obstructions and personnel before the first move.

2. Verify the load will clear all obstacles before moving it

A suspended or moving load must have safe clearance from everything along its entire path from A to B. Overlooking this step can lead to equipment damage, structural damage, and serious injury to personnel near the travel path. Take the time to walk the path if necessary, or use visual aids to confirm clearance.

3. Never leave a suspended or tensioned load

Allowing a load to remain suspended — or rigging left under tension — while walking away is a major safety hazard. The only situation where a load should remain suspended is when specific, prescribed measures are in place. Otherwise, always lower the load to the floor and relieve tension before leaving it unattended.

4. Always place blocks under a load before landing for safe sling removal

If rigging needs adjustment or removal, don’t attempt it while the load remains suspended. The safest practice is to bring the load to rest on blocks, ensuring the sling is not caught between load and blocks, then remove rigging once slack. Never go underneath a landed load to make corrections — the risk is too high.

5. Exercise caution when removing a sling from a landed, blocked load

Before removing any sling or rigging, check that it bears no tension. A sudden release can cause a rigging member to strike an operator or colleague. Stand to the side of the sling, not directly behind or under it, and remove it only once all tension has been relieved and the load is secure.

6. Position hoist and load hook at least seven feet above floor level when not in use

When the crane is idle, or the hook is parked, make sure the hoist hook is raised to a safe height—no less than seven feet (approx. two meters) above the floor. This clearance prevents forklift traffic, pedestrians, or materials from striking the hook and causing a catastrophic event. After a load is parked, always bring the hook into its highest safe position.

These six practices might seem straightforward but they are often overlooked — and the consequences can be serious. The key is training, consistency and vigilance. At Hercules Crane & Lifting Supplies we support you with training resources, rigging equipment, inspections and whatever it takes to make safe lift-parking a habit, not an afterthought.

Remember: each time a load is parked, treat it as though failure is not an option. Clear the path, relieve the tension, land the load properly, remove the rigging safely, and stow the hook well above the danger zone. That’s how we keep people safe, cranes operational and facilities compliant. Safety doesn’t happen by accident — it happens by planning.

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At Hercules Crane & Lifting Supplies, safety is always our top priority. Our team of crane and rigging specialists is here to help you put these best practices into action — from operator training and equipment inspections to customized safety programs that keep your facility compliant and your people protected.

💬 Connect with our experts today for tailored guidance on safe load handling, crane maintenance, and rigging solutions that fit your operation.

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