Steel Erection Planning and Safety: Method Statements and Lift Plans
How to plan steel erection safely: method statements, lift plans, crane selection, anchor bolt surveys, temporary stability, working at height, bolting and Saudi summer work rules.
Saudi Steel Work Editorial Team · · 3 min read
Short answer: Safe steel erection requires a method statement and risk assessment, lift plans for crane operations, a survey of anchor bolts before steel arrives, an erection sequence that keeps the structure stable with temporary bracing, controls for working at height, bolting and alignment checks, and compliance with local rules such as summer midday outdoor work restrictions.
Steel erection combines heavy lifting, working at height and partially complete structures — so planning is essential.
1. Method statement and risk assessment
Describe the sequence, equipment, manpower, hazards and controls. Approved by the contractor and client before work starts.
2. Anchor bolt survey
Survey positions, projections and levels of anchor bolts against the anchor bolt plan. Correct issues before steel arrives — fixing them later is expensive and dangerous.
3. Crane selection and lift plans
- Determine heaviest lifts and maximum radii
- Select cranes with adequate capacity and ground bearing
- Prepare lift plans: load weight, rigging, radius, exclusion zones
- Classify critical lifts (e.g. near capacity, tandem lifts) for extra approval
4. Erection sequence
- Start from a braced bay to create a stable core
- Install permanent bracing as early as possible
- Use temporary bracing or guys where needed
- Follow the fabricator's erection drawings and piece marks
5. Working at height
- Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) for connections
- Fall arrest systems, anchor points, safety nets
- Exclusion zones under lifts
6. Bolting and alignment
- Plumb columns and align beams within tolerance
- Tighten bolts in the correct sequence
- Verify preloaded bolts by approved method (torque, turn-of-nut or DTI washers)
- Record inspections
7. Weather and heat
- High winds stop lifting above set limits
- Saudi midday outdoor work restrictions over the summer period (typically 12:00–15:00 from mid-June to mid-September) affect scheduling
- Thermal expansion of long members affects alignment readings
8. Handover
Record bolt checks, alignment surveys and inspection reports for the quality dossier.
See our steel erection and installation service and bolted vs welded connections.