WorkSafe Bulletin

Lifting concrete locking blocks safely

Concrete locking blocks are used, and often reused, in the construction of a wide range of structures,
such as silos, containment bunkers, barriers, and retaining walls. Many different manufacturers make
these blocks. There is a lot of variation in the design, manufacturing, quality of materials, strength,
durability, and age of blocks found at different worksites.

What is the hazard?

Concrete locking blocks are often moved from
one location to another on worksites or stacked
on top of other blocks. On many worksites, the
blocks are lifted using hooks through a “lifting
eye” on the top of each block. The lifting eye is
often made of wire but it may also be rebar, metal
rod, or steel. The eye can fail for various reasons,
including wear and corrosion, putting workers Lifting eyes,
and equipment at risk. such as this wire
eye, can fail as
In general, manufacturers only rate lifting eyes on a result of wear
blocks for three lifts: from mould to storage, from and corrosion.
storage to truck, and from truck to worksite. After
these three initial lifts, the eyes on most blocks are Reducing the risks
no longer considered safe points of attachment.
Make sure you have a safe lifting plan in place
Generally, there are no design requirements for
before moving concrete locking blocks on your
the block or lifting eye.
worksite. Instruct workers in the plan and provide
If a lifting eye fails during a lift and a block is adequate supervision.
dropped, there can be serious consequences.
Before every lift, do the following:
For example, if a crane lifts a locking block and
the block drops, the crane can be thrown off • Refer to industry best practices and assess the
balance and tip over. Both the falling block and risks. Consider the safest way to move the block.
the tipping crane can cause serious injury or • Ensure all workers are in a safe position during
death, and damage equipment and property. the lifting process.

WorkSafeBC Prevention Information Line: 604.276.3100

WS 2018-12 page 1 of 2
or toll-free 1.888.621.SAFE (7233)
Regulatory requirements
To help ensure your lifting plan is safe, refer to the
following sections of the Occupational Health and
Safety Regulation and the Workers Compensation
Act (available at worksafebc.com).
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation:
• Section 4.1, Safe workplace
• Section 14.44, Loads over work areas
The Act:
• Sections 115 to 124, General duties
of employers, workers and others
For more information
The following hazard alerts are available
on worksafebc.com:
• Stay clear of concrete locking blocks
• Blocks alone do not make safe retaining walls
page 2 of 2