What Is Lifting Point?

A lifting point is a defined location on a component, structure or item of equipment where lifting gear can be connected so that the load can be raised, lowered or positioned in a controlled manner. It may take the form of a lifting eye, lug, threaded attachment, trunnion or another purpose-designed interface. The point provides a known route for lifting forces to enter the item rather than relying on an arbitrary structural feature.

Lifting points are relevant to fall protection engineering during the installation and maintenance of heavy components such as davits, support frames, access equipment and sections of permanent systems. Their primary purpose, however, is handling a load. A lifting point is not inherently a personal fall protection anchor, and the presence of a rated lifting attachment does not establish suitability for connecting a worker.

The performance of a lifting point depends on more than its visible size. Loading direction, attachment geometry, condition, connection to the item being lifted and the position of the load's centre of gravity can all affect the lifting arrangement.

How Force Acts Through a Lifting Point

When lifting begins, force from the lifting accessory passes through the lifting point into the item being raised. For a simple suspended load that is stationary, the total vertical lifting force is related to its weight. Real lifting arrangements become more complex when several lifting points are used or when sling legs operate at an angle.

Consider a symmetrical two-leg sling supporting a load of weight W. If both sling legs are vertical and the arrangement is idealised, each leg carries approximately W/2. As the legs move away from vertical, tension in each leg increases because only the vertical component of that tension supports the load.

For an idealised symmetrical arrangement, leg tension can be represented as:

T = W / (2 cos θ)

where θ is the angle of each sling leg from vertical. If a 10 kN load is carried by two legs at 60° from vertical, each leg tension is 10 kN because cos 60° is 0.5. Under the same simplified conditions with vertical legs, each would carry 5 kN.

This example illustrates why sling geometry matters. It is not a lifting design for a particular item, and actual arrangements also need to consider factors such as load distribution, movement, lifting equipment and the manufacturer's limits.

A lifting point can additionally experience forces that are not aligned with its strongest intended direction. Some lifting attachments are designed for loading within defined angular ranges, while others have more restrictive orientations. Side loading an attachment intended primarily for axial force can significantly change its behaviour.

Types of Lifting Point and Their Functions

Lifting points are available in different configurations because equipment geometry and handling requirements vary. Some are permanent parts of the load, while others are removable components installed into engineered connection locations.

A fixed lug can appear relatively simple, but its capacity depends on the complete arrangement. The material around the hole, the lug geometry, welds and parent structure all contribute to how force is transferred.

Threaded lifting points introduce different considerations. Correct thread type, engagement and seating are important because the connection must transfer load through the threaded interface. A fitting that can be screwed into a hole is not necessarily the correct lifting accessory for that location.

Swivel lifting points can provide greater flexibility where the direction of pull changes, but their ability to rotate does not mean they can be loaded without restriction. The applicable product information determines the permitted configuration and capacity.

Centre of Gravity and Multiple Lifting Points

The position of the centre of gravity has a major influence on lifting-point loading. A suspended object tends to orient itself so that its centre of gravity lies beneath the effective suspension point. If the lifting arrangement does not account for this, the load can tilt as it leaves its support.

This becomes particularly important with irregular assemblies such as davits, fabricated support frames or equipment containing components concentrated on one side. The geometric centre of an object is not necessarily its centre of gravity.

Multiple lifting points can improve control of a large item, but they do not guarantee equal load distribution. Four lifting points on a rectangular frame should not automatically be assumed to carry exactly 25 per cent of the load each. Structural flexibility, sling lengths, centre-of-gravity position and lifting geometry can result in unequal reactions.

A rigid component may also distribute forces differently from a flexible frame. Small differences in sling length or lifting-point elevation can cause some connections to engage before others. The lifting arrangement therefore needs to account for how the actual object behaves rather than dividing its total weight mathematically by the number of available points.

The orientation of individual lifting points should also correspond to the direction of the connected sling or accessory. Where a point is designed for a specific loading direction, changing the sling arrangement can alter the forces acting on the attachment even though the total weight remains unchanged.

Lifting Points During Fall Protection Installation

Engineered fall protection installations can involve components that are difficult to position manually. Steel posts, davit assemblies, rails, support frames and prefabricated sections may require mechanical lifting during installation or replacement.

Purpose-designed lifting points can allow these components to be moved without attaching lifting equipment to vulnerable or functionally important parts. For example, lifting directly from a rail, cable termination or attachment feature intended for another purpose could introduce forces that were not considered for handling the assembly.

The lifting operation and personal fall protection arrangements should remain distinct. Workers installing equipment at roof level or on exposed steelwork may need fall protection while the component itself is being lifted. The lifting point controls the suspended component, while an appropriate fall protection system controls the worker's exposure to a fall.

This distinction is particularly important where lifting eyes or lugs are located conveniently near the work area. Their apparent strength does not make them suitable anchor points for harness connections. Personal anchorage involves different loading scenarios, connection requirements and intended use.

Installation sequencing can also affect access. A permanent fall protection system may not yet be operational while its structural components are being lifted into position. Temporary protection or another planned access method may therefore be required until the permanent system has reached its intended usable configuration.

Identification and Pre-Lift Checks

Before a lifting point is used, it should be identified as part of the intended lifting arrangement rather than selected simply because it provides a convenient place to attach a hook or shackle. Drawings, equipment markings, lifting information and manufacturer documentation can establish the intended locations and configurations.

Condition is important because lifting points can be damaged during transport, previous lifting operations or service. Relevant checks depend on the component but can include:

• cracks, permanent deformation or damage around the attachment;

• corrosion or material loss;

• damaged or distorted holes;

• deterioration of welds or surrounding material;

• damaged threads on removable or threaded lifting points;

• missing components or evidence of unauthorised modification;

• obstructions preventing correct seating of the lifting accessory.

The connected lifting accessory must also fit correctly. A hook, shackle or other connector that bears improperly against the edge of a lifting eye can create a loading condition different from the intended arrangement.

Paint, dirt and corrosion can conceal damage, particularly around weld toes, holes and threaded connections. Where the condition of a critical lifting point cannot be established adequately, the uncertainty should be resolved before the lift rather than relying on its previous successful use.

Lifting Capacity Depends on Configuration

A capacity marking or specified working load applies under defined conditions. It should not be interpreted independently of loading direction, attachment method and lifting geometry. The same lifting point can have different permitted capacities in different configurations where the product is designed for more than one direction of loading.

Modifying the point can invalidate the assumptions behind its original specification. Enlarging a hole, welding onto a lug, altering a threaded connection or bending an attachment to improve alignment can change its structural behaviour.

The lifting point also cannot compensate for an unsuitable lifting arrangement elsewhere. Sling angles, connectors, lifting equipment, load stability and the structure of the item being raised all remain relevant.

For fall protection projects, correctly specified lifting points provide controlled interfaces for handling structural and system components during installation and maintenance. Keeping their lifting function separate from personal anchorage, while respecting the actual load direction and lifting geometry, prevents a convenient attachment feature from being used for a purpose or configuration for which it was not intended.