Magic Glasses: Clearance Around Suspended Loads
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
At first glance, standing close to a suspended load can feel controlled and efficient. Put on the Magic Glasses, and you notice the space that is missing. Clearance is not wasted room - it is what gives people time, options, and a way out when something changes.
Quick Scene-Setter
A crane or Hiab is lifting a load into position.
The rigging is on. The load is steady.
One or two people are standing close, guiding it by hand or walking alongside it.
Everything looks calm.
What Most People See
People close enough to “keep control”
Better accuracy by being near the load
Confidence that the load is light and predictable
A faster job without stepping back
Being close feels helpful.
What the Magic Glasses Show You
Clearance is missing.
Once a load is suspended:
It can rotate, swing, or drop faster than a person can react
Any unexpected movement closes the gap instantly
Being close removes escape options
Hands, hips, legs, and feet are inside the strike zone
The problem is not just holding the load.
The problem is being close - when you do not need to be.
Distance buys:
Reaction time
Visibility
A clear path away from danger
No clearance means no margin.
The Controls That Matter
Create space between people and suspended loads as the default
If you do not need to be close, you should not be
Use tag lines to control rotation and swing from a distance
Keep tag lines long enough to maintain safe separation
Stand to the side of the load, never underneath or in its travel path
Land and reset the load if close control feels necessary
Tag lines are not just for control.
They are a clearance tool.
Magic Glasses Checklist – Clearance and Control
Who actually needs to be near the load?
What clearance exists if the load swings or rotates?
Are people standing close out of habit or necessity?
Is a tag line available and being used properly?
Can everyone step away without crossing the load path?
Would this still be safe if the load moved suddenly?
Clearance is one of the simplest and most effective controls in lifting work.
Space between people and the load creates time, options, and safer outcomes.
Tag lines give control without sacrificing distance.
Next time you see a lift, look for the space.
If there is no clearance, the risk is already higher than it needs to be.
Do you always need Tag Lines?
Ultimately, the lift dictates the safest way. Tag lines can get caught up in structures (introducing their own hazard). Those on-site should always consider the safest option.
Crane Association of New Zealand - Tag Line Safety Guidance
Magic Glasses: The magic glasses come from the reality of - when I look at my books, I don't see a problem. But when my accountant looks at the books, it's a whole different story. He must have a special set of glasses.
As PCBU's, Officers and Workers, we have an obligation to learn what we are up to and the risks. Our actions and the standards we accept also affect those around us. This magic glasses post is made to help others see what we see.
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