If any of our FIA members use cranes, this may be of interest, from our legal Partner Kingston Reid and an update from SWNSW.
Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson, today announced (attached) that SafeWork NSW inspectors are targeting mobile crane safety state-wide, as part of its ongoing focus on cranes.
This follows on from last years tower crane project, where inspectors checked safe slinging, load movements and crew communications for 132 tower cranes, as well as ensuring licence holders held a current and valid high risk work licence. See attached report for our findings.
Inspectors will be visiting sites where a mobile crane is operating to talk with principal contractors, site supervisors, HSRs, operators and doggers about site set-up, load movement and underground or overhead service proximity.
Inspectors will also be checking operators hold the correct class of mobile crane high risk work licence for the crane they are operating. On the spot fines of up to $3,600 for employers and $720 for individuals apply for operating a crane without holding the appropriate class.
What you can do
There are a few things you can do to make sure you work safely with mobile cranes:
only operate a crane that is within the rated capacity of the 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 the 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. See attached poster.
SafeWork’s Centre for WHS has also partnered with RMIT to release a summary of report findings on crane safety and incidents.
For more information on mobile crane safety see the SafeWork NSW website, including the new fact sheet on hiring or using a mobile crane or click on the links below.
Do you have a new HRW Class operator?
Roles & Responsibilities when hiring or using a mobile crane
Tower Cranes - Project findings report.
