unexpected instability.
Handling and installation also present safety risks. Mats can be large, heavy and awkward to handle due to their size and shape. Improper lifting techniques, inadequate support during transport or unbalanced loads can lead to injuries. Proper equipment selection, controlled handling procedures and clear work zones are essential for safe installation and removal.
Integrating Lift Planning
Site access should be addressed as part of the overall lift planning process, not as an afterthought. Evaluating ground conditions, understanding equipment requirements and selecting appropriate site access mats before arriving on site allows crews to establish the conditions needed for safe operation. Industry guidance emphasizes the importance of firm, drained and level surfaces— conditions that often must be created rather than assumed.
Integrating site access into lift planning improves consistency, reduces uncertainty and helps maintain safe operating conditions from start to finish. Planning also requires situational awareness. Conditions may change over time and ongoing evaluation is necessary to ensure that the supporting surface continues to perform as expected throughout the duration of the job.
Safe crane operations depend on more than the crane itself. Cranes must be able to access the lifting area, must have a stable working area and be able to reach materials in a laydown yard. Defining how the site will be used is the first step in selecting the right site access mats based on how they will perform under real conditions.
Proper planning and informed decision-making improve stability, reduce risk and support safe, efficient operations across the jobsite.
Kris Koberg is the CEO of DICA, a provider of outrigger pads, crane pads and cribbing blocks.
September 2026 • www. thepartsconnection. org • 19