14.1 Roles and responsibilities associated with mobile crane operations
14.1.1 Crane owner
14.1.2 Principal contractor
14.1.3 Crane operator
14.1.4 Dogger
All persons involved in mobile crane operations must have a clear understanding of their responsibilities. Such persons must understand their role and responsibility for the safety of each lift.
Refer to section 11.5 of this code for specific information on the roles and responsibilities associated with crane stability.
14.1.1 Crane owner
A crane owner must ensure that only persons with the appropriate mobile crane certificate operate the mobile crane. Additionally, the crane owner who employs crane operators should also ensure that the operators have undergone familiarisation and refresher training as required under this code.
A crane owner should ensure that the crane manufacturer's operating manual is kept on the crane, and maintain all of the other crane manufacturer's manuals and instructions. Instruction and training based on the manuals and instructions should be provided to all persons involved in mobile crane operations. Crane maintenance manuals should also be made available to all maintenance staff.
A crane owner or a competent person nominated by the crane owner, other than the crane operator, should perform a workplace visit and inspection to ensure that an appropriate crane is supplied to perform the following types of work:
- tilt-up panel jobs;
- multiple crane lifts, where more than one crane is used to lift a load at any one time;
- lifting of workboxes with persons in the boxes;
- installation of bridge beams during bridge installation work;
- lifting large pressure vessels;
- erection of tower cranes; and
- heavy lifts where the load is 50 tonnes or more.
However, if the crane owner is familiar with the workplace from previous visits, the crane owner may decide not to perform another visit.
A crane owner's responsibilities also include:
- defining roles and responsibilities for all persons involved with the crane operation;
- ensuring a thorough equipment maintenance and inspection program is in place; and
- ensuring equipment is maintained and inspected in accordance with the crane manufacturer's requirements and the requirements of this code and other relevant technical standards.
14.1.2 Principal contractor
A principal contractor has an obligation to ensure the overall coordination of the lifting operations at a workplace where construction work is being performed. This includes ensuring systems are in place to facilitate communication between all relevant persons and workers at the workplace, for overlapping work areas.
A principal contractor's responsibilities also include:
- ensuring the workplace is adequately prepared for the incoming mobile crane;
- consulting with the crane operator once the crane arrives at the workplace;
- ensuring all persons have been provided with site-specific induction where required, before they start work at the workplace;
- sighting general induction evidence for all relevant persons and workers before they start construction work at the workplace; and
- ensuring crane operators and doggers hold the appropriate prescribed occupation certificate.
A principal contractor must not attempt to unduly influence a crane crew to perform a lift that the crane operator considers to be unsafe.
14.1.3 Crane operator
The crane operator must always exercise proper diligence and operate the crane safely. If the crane operator has reason to believe that a lift may be dangerous or unsafe, the operator must refuse to proceed until the concern has been reported, relevant risks have been managed, and safe conditions have been confirmed.
Mobile crane operators are required to know:
- the particular model of crane to be operated, its characteristics, functions and limitations;
- the information in the crane's operating manual;
- the crane's load chart, including all notes and warnings, and how to calculate or determine the crane's actual net capacity in every possible configuration;
- proper inspection and maintenance procedures to be followed in accordance with the guidelines of the manufacturer and owner;
- any workplace conditions that may affect crane operation, including the presence of overhead powerlines, nearby structures, cranes and concrete placement booms; and
- basic slinging techniques.
Before and during crane operation, the crane operator must:
- check no unauthorised persons are present on the crane;
- inspect the area, including the ground condition;
- monitor the ground condition during repetitive crane lifts in one location;
- check each motion to be performed is safe and without risk; and
- complete the daily inspection checklist, including filling out the crane logbook.
14.1.4 Dogger
The primary role of a dogger is to assist the crane operator in the safe and efficient operation of the crane, including the safe slinging of the load. The dogger's role is crucial when the crane operator's vision is obscured, or when operating in high risk areas. A dogger should be positioned to safely observe the entire lifting operation that they are responsible for. However, a dogger must not be used to also perform the role of a 'spotter' when the crane is operating close to overhead powerlines.
A dogger should be in control of the load from the time it is slung until it is securely placed in its final position and slings are removed. If a load is being controlled by more than one dogger, the different doggers must know what part of the lifting operation they are responsible for.
A qualified dogger is required to know how to:
- use the various types of ropes, slings, chains and accessories;
- determine the SWLs of any rope, sling, or chain to be used for lifting;
- assess the weight of loads to be lifted;
- sling loads of different weights and sizes safely;
- direct a crane or hoist operator in the movement of a load (this is particularly important when the load is out of the operator's view); and
- give appropriate hand and whistle signals used for directing loads.
Before signalling the crane operator to raise a load, the dogger should ensure:
- each lifting attachment, sling and shackle has a safe working load, or working load limit greater than or equal to that of the load. These attachments must be suitable for safely handling the load;
- the hoisting apparatus is correctly applied to the load and the crane hook;
- no part of the load is loose;
- the load is properly balanced;
- the load is not snagged; and
- the load, when it is lifted, will not contact any object or constitute a hazard to any person.
Last updated 21 August 2008