Mobile Crane Operations — Safe Work Method Statement

Mobile crane operations on a construction site are HRCW under regulation 291 of the model WHS Regulations because the crane is powered mobile plant moving in an area with other workers, and lifts are frequently made near overhead power lines or roads in use. A SWMS is mandatory before any mobile crane lift commences on a construction site. For complex or critical lifts — typically defined as lifts exceeding 90% of rated capacity, tandem lifts, or lifts over live services or occupied areas — a formal lift study prepared by a competent engineer is also required in addition to the SWMS.

Licensing requirements are strict and nationally consistent across all jurisdictions that have adopted the model WHS laws. A mobile crane operator must hold a high-risk work (HRW) licence in the relevant crane class — C2 for mobile cranes up to and including 60 tonne capacity, or C6 for any capacity. Dogman and rigging licences are required for other workers involved in attaching loads and directing the crane. All HRW licences are issued by the state or territory WHS regulator following nationally recognised training and assessment.

The mobile crane must be registered plant under the WHS Regulations if it exceeds the registration threshold. Pre-use inspection must be completed to the requirements of AS 2550.1 (Cranes, hoists and winches — Safe use — General requirements) and the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. Ground bearing capacity is a critical pre-lift engineering requirement — outrigger pad loads for large mobile cranes can exceed 200 tonnes per pad, and inadequate ground assessment has been responsible for a number of crane collapses in Australia. A geotechnical assessment or engineer's approval for outrigger placement is standard practice on complex sites.

To customise this template, document the crane make, model, and configuration; the load to be lifted (weight, dimensions, and centre of gravity); the lift radius and boom angle; the ground condition assessment; the exclusion zone dimensions; and the names and licence numbers of the crane operator, rigger, and dogman. The lift plan, load chart, and outrigger pad calculations should be attached as appendices.

This SWMS applies in all Australian jurisdictions. Western Australia adopted the model WHS laws in 2022. Victorian users must additionally comply with OHS Regulations 2017 and the Equipment (Public Safety) Act 1994.