What should you do after stopping a load and regaining control due to swing?

• A. Reassess the lift
• B. Hoist again immediately
• C. End the lift and leave
• D. Report the incident and wait for instruction

Answer: (A)

When a load has swung and you’ve regained control, your first step is to pause and reassess the lift. Swing means the load is in a dynamic, unpredictable state, so you want to confirm everything is safe before moving again.

Check the basics: is the load within the crane’s current capacity for the boom length, angle, radius, and any wind or weather conditions? Are the outriggers and ground or cribbing solid and level? Is the load rigging intact and properly secured, with the hook latch or other restraints in place? Is the load path clear of people, obstacles, and power lines?

Also review the plan with the crew. Confirm who guides the load, how you’ll control sway (slow and deliberate movements, soft stops, perhaps a tag line), and what the updated route or setup looks like. If anything isn’t safe or the plan can’t be executed without risk, don’t proceed until it’s resolved.

Only after this careful reassessment should you proceed, and do so cautiously to avoid reintroducing sway or overloading the crane.