Edition 70, August 2009

QLD guidance note on mobile cranes

A new technical guidance note on operating a mobile crane (slewing/non-slewing) has been released by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ). 

From 30 August 2009, an employer must not allow a person in charge of and/or operating a mobile crane (slewing/non-slewing) to also undertake their own dogging work or supervise a trainee dogger, even if the operator is also a licensed dogger.

The purpose of this guidance note is to clarify whether or not a person who holds both a mobile crane (slewing/non-slewing) licence and a dogging licence can:

  • perform their own dogging work (i.e. leaving the crane operator's controls); or
  • supervise and/or direct a trainee dogger at the same time as operating the crane (slewing/non-slewing).


WHSQ has determined, supported by a national decision of occupational health and safety authorities, that a mobile crane operator, working without a dogger, is not in a position to:

  • exercise judgement in relation to the method of load slinging and take up of slings
  • rectify any emerging situation involving a trainee; or
  • make judgements on load security and slinging position and landing of the load while the crane is in operation or is mobile.

The primary role of the crane operator is to perform the function of the crane operation in a safe manner. A crane operator's ability to perform this primary function is limited if he or she is required to leave the crane cabin to undertake/supervise dogging functions and slinging activities.

For more information visit www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/publications/safe/jul09/mobile-crane/index.htm

Related articles:
Fact sheets on Australian Government OHS accreditation scheme auditing (Edition 68, June 2009)
QLD guidance note on mobile cranes (Edition 70, August 2009)
QLD safety workshops for small businesses - QLD (Edition 70, August 2009)
Health guide for construction workers (Edition 71, October 2009)
Safe Work Australia legislation passed (Edition 71, October 2009)

This page was generated on 28 September, 2010

Tag cloud Tags: Qld,Cranes,Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. Click here to view the tag cloud.