Safe Cargo Lifting Operations Course
The Safe Cargo Lifting Operations Course gives you the essential tools and knowledge to minimize risks and improve efficiency in cargo operations. You will be trained to identify hazards, apply safe procedures and use lifting equipment correctly in line with current regulations, learning to prevent accidents, protect the integrity of the cargo and keep your team safe.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Safe Cargo Lifting Operations Course?
This short course covers the full sequence of a safe lift, from assessing the load to securing it at its destination, in ports, on deck, in warehouses, workshops and marine works. You will study the differences between loading, unloading, stowage, hoisting, moving, lashing and manual handling; the main risks such as falling objects, crushing, impacts, overturning, overloads, equipment failure and communication errors; the roles of operator, signaller, supervisor, stevedore, driver and deck crew; cranes, hoists, forklifts, slings, chains, wire ropes, shackles, hooks and spreaders; safe working load, center of gravity and sling angles; how to inspect lifting gear and withdraw damaged items; how to plan a lift with route, lifting points, sequence, roles and exclusion zones; and how to execute, signal, move, stow and lash loads safely.
What sets this course apart: realistic exercises in slinging, stowage and lashing techniques; analysis of real incidents to understand their causes and apply preventive measures; a strong prevention focus that protects people, equipment and cargo; an up-to-date view of national and international safety rules; a preventive culture that includes the authority to stop unsafe work; and an applied project in which you write a complete lift plan, inspection checklist and emergency protocol for a real or realistic operation.
Program highlights
- Lifting safety foundations: hoisting, moving, stowage, lashing and manual handling.
- Lifting gear: cranes, hoists, slings, chains, shackles, hooks and spreaders.
- Load calculations: safe working load, center of gravity and sling angles.
- Lift planning: exclusion zones, permits to work, briefings and stop criteria.
- Execution: slinging, signaling, suspended loads, stowage and lashing.
- Applied project: a lift plan with checklist and emergency protocol.
Syllabus of the Safe Cargo Lifting Operations Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Foundations of safety in cargo lifting operations, risk prevention and operational control
- 1.1. The concept of a cargo operation and the differences between loading, unloading, stowage, hoisting, moving, lashing and manual handling
- 1.2. Main risks: falling objects, entrapment, impacts, overturning, overloads, equipment failure, communication errors and exclusion zones
- 1.3. People involved: operator, signaller, supervisor, stevedore, driver, deck crew, maintenance staff and safety officer
- 1.4. The relationship between planning, equipment, load, environment, communication and risk control during the operation
- 1.5. Preventive culture, the authority to stop unsafe work, incident reporting and operational learning
Lifting equipment, accessories, pre-use inspection and conditions for safe use
- 2.1. Cranes, hoists, forklifts, slings, chains, wire ropes, shackles, hooks, spreaders and auxiliary items
- 2.2. Lifting capacity, safe working load, center of gravity, sling angles and operating limits
- 2.3. Visual inspection of equipment and accessories for deformation, wear, corrosion, cracks, labeling and certificates
- 2.4. Selecting equipment according to weight, geometry, fragility, lifting points, distance, height and environmental conditions
- 2.5. Withdrawal from service of damaged accessories, uncertified equipment or items with illegible identification
Lift planning, risk assessment and preparation of the work area
- 3.1. Prior assessment of the load: weight, dimensions, stability, packaging, contents, fragility and specific risks
- 3.2. Design of the lift plan with route, lifting points, sequence, required equipment, roles and means of communication
- 3.3. Identification of interferences: people, vehicles, structures, power lines, edges, wind, surfaces and obstacles
- 3.4. Marking out exclusion zones, signage, access control and protection of walkways
- 3.5. Pre-lift briefing, permits to work, coordination between teams and criteria for suspending the operation
Safe execution of lifting, moving, stowage and lashing of loads
- 4.1. Basic techniques for slinging, balancing, guiding, initial lift, stability test and control of swing
- 4.2. Communication between operator, signaller and team through hand signals, radio, clear instructions and confirmation
- 4.3. Moving suspended loads with control of speed, minimum safe height and visibility, and nobody under the load
- 4.4. Safe stowage on deck, in warehouses, on the quay, in vehicles, containers or storage areas according to stability and accessibility
- 4.5. Lashing, securing, blocking, chocking, weight distribution and prevention of shifting during transport or at sea
Applied project in safe cargo lifting operations
- 5.1. Definition of the case: cargo in a port, on deck, in a warehouse, workshop, ship, terminal, marine works site or logistics facility
- 5.2. Diagnosis of the load, available equipment, environment, personnel, risks, documentation and operating restrictions
- 5.3. Design of the lift plan with roles, sequence, equipment, accessories, exclusion zones and communication
- 5.4. Preparation of the pre-use inspection checklist, permits, suspension criteria and emergency protocol
- 5.5. Development of the system for recording and investigating incidents, corrective actions and continuous improvement
Duration and format of the Safe Cargo Lifting Operations Course
It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Safe Cargo Lifting Operations Course
Career opportunities after the Safe Cargo Lifting Operations Course
Questions about the Safe Cargo Lifting Operations Course
Safety gloves are the most basic item, but on their own they are not enough: the course explains how to choose PPE for each task.
As a rule, safety footwear, gloves, a helmet and a high-visibility vest, with additional equipment depending on the load, the environment and the work at height or over water.
No. Navalis Institute teaches safe lifting practice and planning; crane operator licenses and equipment certificates are issued by the competent authorities and approved bodies in each country.
No. The same principles apply on deck, in warehouses, workshops, terminals, marine works and logistics facilities, and the applied project can be based on any of these settings.
You choose a real or realistic lift, diagnose the load, equipment and risks and write a lift plan with roles, sequence, exclusion zones and communication, plus an inspection checklist and an emergency protocol.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with downloadable material, analysis of real incidents and tutorials on request.
The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
More programs in Cargo and logistics
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at terminal and yard operators, cargo supervisors and stevedores, health and safety officers, maintenance and logistics staff and engineers and technicians who want to specialize in lifting safety; vocational training in logistics, transport or safety, or experience in loading and unloading operations, is helpful but not essential.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and software to view PDF documents and load charts.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.