10. Planning and coordinating mobile crane operations
10.1 Selecting the crane
10.2 Crane crew
10.3 Crane siting
10.4 Communication
10.5 Documented lifting procedures
Planning is the first step in ensuring that work is done safely. The planning for mobile crane operations should start as early as possible to help eliminate many of the associated health and safety risks. In order for this to be successful, it should involve consultation with all persons engaged in the work. These persons may include the principal contractor or crane hirer, crane supplier, electricity entity, engineer, employer and crane operator.
Effective planning will help identify ways to protect persons who are:
- erecting and dismantling mobile cranes;
- directly involved in the lifting operation, such as the crane operator and dogger;
- performing other work activities at the workplace; and
- in an area adjacent to a mobile crane, including a public area.
Some of the issues to be considered when planning for mobile crane operations include:
- determining crane requirements appropriate to the work to be undertaken;
- ensuring there is adequate workplace access;
- identifying the most appropriate location to site the mobile crane in relation to other buildings, structures and plant at the workplace;
- liaising with electricity entities regarding control measures for working around overhead powerlines;
- ensuring that the ground conditions are adequate to support the mobile crane; and
- ensuring that the appropriate number of persons is available to support safe mobile crane operations.
Other matters to be considered during the planning stage are listed in AS 2550.5 : Cranes, hoists and winches - Safe use - Mobile cranes (non-Queensland Government link).
Last updated June 9, 2006