Mobile, mechanized, and stationary cranes and lifting equipment are integral to industry. Cranes and hoists may be installed indoors or moved from jobsite to jobsite as needed. Some cranes and hoists repetitively lift and move heavy weights of materials, while others carry and move moderate product loads around the worksite.
Industry, workplace, and equipment safety and safe operation are first and foremost wherever cranes and lifting equipment are used. Injuries and fatalities can occur in an instant due to an improperly balanced load, unstable or obstructed outriggers, or improper operation.
Crane and hoist safety begins with:
• Selecting the proper crane or lifting equipment (type, size, etc.) suitable to the job / need,
• Making sure the equipment is properly maintained, and
• Employing sufficiently skilled and trained operators that have knowledge of safe crane / hoist operation.
Australian Standards
In accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 (Vic) (OHS Regulations), employers are obliged to protect the safety of employees using cranes, hoists, and winches. “All hazards to health and safety associated with the installation, commissioning, decommissioning, dismantling, erection and use of cranes, hoists and winches must be identified at the workplace.” Employers should use Australian Standards, AS 2550 Cranes, hoists and winches — Safe use (AS 2550), as a basic starting point in controlling risks and complying with legal responsibilities and duties related to crane and hoist utilization. The Standards provides information relating to the maintenance, inspections, and repair of cranes, hoists and winches.
WorkSafe Programs, Posters, Publications
Victoria WorkSafe encourages all health and safety representatives (HSRs) attend WorkSafe Victoria-approved occupational health and safety (OHS) training. Training is intended to provide HSRs proper application and implementation health and safety knowledge and skills to ensure a safe workplaces. WorkSafe offers initial HS training, refresher training, and other, specialized, training.
For example, in an effort to eliminate / reduce bridge crane accidents, injuries, and fatalities, WorkSafe has initiated a program designed to raise bridge and gantry cranes risk awareness. Issues including safe practices and risk control solutions are included in this training.
The WorkSafe Construction and Utilities program include instruction on completing mobile crane inspection and compliance reports. In addition to outrigger stabilizers and counterweight slewing barricades, the reports requires observation and documentation of the crew’s safety gear, suspended loads movement (over workers), and communications protocols.
Workplace posters should be posted to remind designated employees to consistently carry out inspections of cranes, slings and accessories. A Health and Safety Solution provides clear and easy-to-understand information on keeping inspection and maintenance records.
WorkSafe publications are available to assist in outlining operator handling and minimum competency licensing requirements, work platform/plant registration, and equipment compliance plates and load charts:
• AS 14181.9 – 2007, Cranes, hoists and winches – Telescopic handlers
• AS 1418.5 – 2002, Cranes, hoists and winches – Mobile cranes
• AS1418.10 – 2004, Cranes, hoists and winches – Elevating work platforms.
The Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 recognizes the importance of health and safety training in and for the workplace and offers training, publications / aids, and programs designed to reduce jobsite related accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
