Mobile cranes
Mobile cranes are an indispensable part of modern civil, residential and commercial construction, however, while flexible, reliable and robust, they carry significant hazards and risks during operation.
Common risks include:
- crane tip/roll-overs
- people being struck by the load or falling objects from the load
- people being struck/crushed by a crane part
- crane contact with objects such as buildings, scaffolds and powerlines.
Safety campaign 2022
From July 2022, SafeWork NSW Inspectors will visit sites to conduct compliance checks on mobile crane operations and talk with principal contractors, site supervisors, operators and doggers.
The Inspectors will focus on high risk work crane and dogging licences to ensure crane operators hold the appropriate licence class for the size of cranes they are operating.
The Inspectors will also focus on planning, consultation and hazard identification, falling objects, site conditions and equipment maintenance.
Legal obligations
Crane owners, principal contractors, operators, doggers, maintenance workers and others with management or control of the mobile crane such as site supervisors, all have obligations under the work health and safety legislation.
Licensing
- High risk work crane classes licence requirements
- Do you have a new high risk work class operator?
Guidance material
SafeWork NSW
- Plant, machinery and equipment
- Roles and responsibilities when hiring or using a mobile crane
- Safety Alert – Mobile plant operating near overhead power lines
- Safety Alert – Using mobile cranes in 'pick and carry' operations
- Safety Checklist – Mobile crane safety for PCBUs (PDF, 166.04 KB)
Safe Work Australia
- Guide to mobile cranes
- Guide to operating cranes mobile plant overhead electric lines
- Information Sheet – Crane lifted work boxes
Australian Standards
- AS 2550.1-2011: Cranes, hoists and winches — Safe use Part 1: General requirements
- AS 2550.5-2002: Cranes, hoists and winches — Safe use Part 5: Mobile cranes.