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.
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.
Mobile crane safety campaign 2020
Over 2020, SafeWork NSW inspectors will be undertaking checks on mobile crane operations. Inspectors will visit sites to check compliance and talk with site supervisors, operators and doggers about mobile crane safety including crane set-up, lift planning, safe slinging and load movement to ensure the protection of workers and the public.
Inspectors will also check high risk work dogging and/or crane licence(s), ensuring the crane operator holds the appropriate licence class for the size of crane they are operating.
To ensure safe mobile crane use, crane crews should:
- only operate a crane that is within the rated capacity of their mobile crane licence class
- make sure the mobile crane/plant is maintained as per manufacturers recommendations
- plan the job, taking into account site set-up, load movement, underground and overhead service proximity
- conduct and record pre-start checks
- avoid lifting or moving suspended loads over the heads of workers or the public
- have appropriate controls in place to manage the risks of falling objects
- ensure inexperienced or new operators and doggers (typically those with five years or less experience) are adequately mentored, supported and supervised.
For further information contact us on 13 10 50.
Licensing
- High risk work crane classes licence requirements
- Do you have a new high risk work class operator? (poster) and DL flyer
General requirements
Safe Work Australia documents
SafeWork NSW resources
- Safety alert: Mobile plant operating near overhead power lines
- Plant, machinery and equipment advice
- Safety alert: Using mobile cranes in 'pick and carry' operations
- Roles and responsibilities when hiring or using a mobile crane
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.