Lifting Engineer interview questions

I've been a lifting engineer for ten years, six in Oman. Started in India on construction projects, moved into oil and gas heavy-lift work, and for the past five years I've been senior lifting engineer on Omani projects: a refinery turnaround, dam construction (heavy concrete pumping equipment), and currently major LNG facility work. I'm LEEA certified for lifting equipment examinations plus OEC registered. My remit covers lift plan development, equipment selection, supervision of complex lifts, and inspection of rigging equipment.

Weight and dimensions of the load including any attachments. Centre of gravity. Lift method: single crane, tandem, or specialty equipment. Crane selection based on capacity, reach, and ground conditions. Rigging plan: slings, shackles, spreader bars sized for the load with appropriate safety factors. Ground bearing pressure analysis: crane loads on the ground must not exceed the bearing capacity. Path analysis: clearances around the lift route, conflicts with structures or other work. Weather criteria: maximum wind speed, visibility requirements. Personnel plan: lift supervisor, signaler, riggers, exclusion zones. Communication plan. All documented and signed off before any work proceeds.

Capacity must exceed the lift weight by appropriate margin (typically 25%) at the working radius. Reach (height and radius) must accommodate the lift path. Ground bearing pressure within the soil's bearing capacity (with safety factor). Mobility: can the crane access the site and erect at the planned location? Type appropriate to the task: crawler for soft ground or heavy stationary work, mobile (truck or all-terrain) for lifts requiring fast mobilisation. Backup crane considered for critical lifts. Crane procurement includes operator qualifications and recent inspection records.

Inspection per LEEA standards. Daily pre-use inspection by the rigger of all rigging being used. Monthly thorough examination of all in-service rigging with documented findings. Annual full examination by a competent person (myself or another LEEA-certified inspector) including load tests where appropriate. Records maintained per equipment serial number. Rejected equipment removed from service immediately and either repaired (where permitted) or scrapped. Equipment that hasn't been inspected within the required interval is treated as unserviceable.

Crane operators are professionals; I treat them as such. I share the lift plan with the operator before the lift so they understand the full picture, not just their immediate task. I respect their input; operators often see issues from their perspective that I might miss. Riggers are responsible for the equipment they use; I trust their inspection while verifying critical items myself. Pre-lift briefing with the entire team including signalers. Communication clarity prevents accidents; ambiguity causes them.

For a senior lifting engineer role on major Omani oil and gas projects I'd target OMR 1,500 to 1,900 total package depending on the project complexity and site allowances. Remote-site projects often pay at the upper end. LEEA-certified and OEC-registered lifting engineers command a premium. I'm on 60 days' notice. Beyond pay I care about the project quality; flagship heavy-lift work builds career value.