Investigations　have　shown　that　human　error　(HE)　is　the　most　common　cause　of　accidents　involving　lifting　operations.　So　it　is　essential　to　conduct　human　reliability　analysis　(HRA)　in　lifting　operations.　The　estimation　of　human　error　probabilities　(HEPs)　is　a　key　to　HRA.　In　this　paper,　five　useful　performance　shaping　factors　(PSFs)　of　lifting　operations　were　introduced　and　an　approach　to　combine　Bayesian　methodology　and　the　success　likelihood　index　method　(SLIM)　was　applied　to　determine　the　HEPs　of　various　lifting　operation　errors.　A　numerical　example　was　used　to　illustrate　the　application　of　the　proposed　methodology.　Relevance　to　industry:　Reliability　analysis　of　crane　lifting　operation　has　traditionally　been　difficult　without　considering　human　error.　The　present　study　suggests　that　managers　could　use　the　Bayesian-SLIM　methodology　to　conduct　human　reliability　analysis　and　minimize　human　error　in　crane　lifting　operation.　©　2014　Elsevier　B.V.