Cranes and Lifting Operations
AS 2550 · reg 81
Why it matters
A lift puts a heavy load over people's heads, and everything depends on the gear, the plan, and the communication between the operator and the dogger. Crane and rigging work is licensed high risk work for good reason. The load does not care how experienced you are: it obeys the physics, the slings, and the ground under the outriggers.
Hazards
- ⚠ Overloading the crane or slinging the load wrong
- ⚠ Ground failure under outriggers
- ⚠ Load swinging or dropping over workers
- ⚠ Contact with overhead powerlines
- ⚠ Poor communication between operator and dogger
- ⚠ Unlicensed operation of the crane or rigging
Controls and safe practices
- ✓ Only licensed workers operate cranes and perform dogging and rigging (reg 81, high risk work licence).
- ✓ Plan and conduct the lift to AS 2550 with a lift study for anything complex.
- ✓ Know the load weight and rated capacity, and never exceed it.
- ✓ Set outriggers on rated, stable ground with packing where needed.
- ✓ Keep everyone out from under the load and use a dogger with clear, agreed signals.
- ✓ Maintain safe clearance from overhead powerlines and use a spotter near them.
Crew discussion questions
- Do we know the weight of today's loads and the crane's rated capacity?
- Is the ground under the outriggers stable and packed?
- Who is the dogger, and what signals are we using?
- Are there overhead lines in the lift zone?
Applicable WHS citations
AS 2550, reg 81
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