Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out a clear, step-by-step process for planning and carrying out elevated work using cranes, focusing on safe access, fall prevention and compliance with Australian WHS laws. It helps businesses control the significant risks associated with lifting personnel and materials at height, while ensuring crane operations are coordinated, documented and defensible in the event of an incident.

Working at height with cranes introduces a complex mix of hazards – from falls and dropped objects through to crane instability and contact with powerlines. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, practical framework for planning and delivering safe access solutions when using cranes for elevated work, including work baskets, man cages, platforms, and material lifting to high or difficult-to-reach locations. It guides you through pre-planning, risk assessment, equipment selection, communication protocols, exclusion zones, and step-by-step operational controls so that elevated work can proceed in a controlled and compliant manner.

Developed specifically for Australian workplaces, the SOP aligns with WHS legislation, relevant Australian Standards and industry best practice for crane operations and working at height. It addresses common pain points such as inconsistent practices between crews, undocumented decisions around access methods, and gaps in supervision or communication between crane crews and other trades. By implementing this procedure, businesses can reduce the likelihood of serious incidents, demonstrate due diligence to regulators and clients, and provide workers with a clear, easy-to-follow method for performing elevated work with cranes safely and efficiently.

Key Benefits

• Ensure elevated work using cranes is planned, documented and carried out in accordance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant standards.
• Reduce the risk of falls from height, dropped objects and crane-related incidents through clearly defined controls and responsibilities.
• Standardise how access solutions (such as work baskets and platforms) are selected, inspected, rigged and used across all projects and sites.
• Improve communication and coordination between crane operators, doggers, riggers, supervisors and other trades working in or near the lift zone.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and principal contractors through a robust, auditable procedure for elevated crane work.

Who is this for?

• Crane Operators
• Doggers and Riggers
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Plant and Equipment Coordinators
• Civil and Structural Engineers (Site-based)
• Facilities and Maintenance Managers
• Mining and Resources Supervisors
• Manufacturing and Warehouse Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height while working in or accessing crane work baskets, man cages or elevated platforms
• Dropped objects from elevated work areas striking people or plant below
• Crane instability, overturning or structural failure due to improper loading or setup
• Collision between crane loads, structures, plant or other cranes
• Contact with overhead or underground electrical services (powerlines and cables)
• Entrapment, crushing or pinch-point injuries between loads, structures and personnel
• Inadequate or failed rigging of work baskets, platforms and lifting accessories
• Weather-related risks such as high winds, lightning, poor visibility and slippery surfaces
• Manual handling and access injuries when entering or exiting elevated work areas
• Fatigue, distraction or miscommunication during complex or extended crane operations

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (Cranes, Work Baskets, Man Cages, Elevated Work)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Planning Elevated Work with Cranes (Job Planning and Consultation)
• 6.0 Risk Assessment and Selection of Access Method
• 7.0 Crane, Work Basket and Access Equipment Requirements
• 8.0 Pre-Use Inspections and Condition Checks
• 9.0 Set-Up Requirements (Ground Conditions, Outriggers, Exclusion Zones)
• 10.0 Rigging and Attachment of Work Baskets and Platforms
• 11.0 Fall Prevention, Fall-Arrest and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• 12.0 Communication Protocols, Signalling and Permit-to-Work
• 13.0 Step-by-Step Operating Procedure for Elevated Work with Cranes
• 14.0 Managing Environmental and Site Conditions (Weather, Services, Other Plant)
• 15.0 Emergency Response, Rescue and Recovery Procedures
• 16.0 Post-Task Shutdown, Inspections and Documentation
• 17.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 18.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of the Procedure

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations, Part 4.5 – Falls and Part 4.5A – Plant and Structures
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – General Guide for Cranes
• AS 2550 series: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use (e.g. AS 2550.1, AS 2550.5, AS 2550.10 as applicable)
• AS 1418 series: Cranes, hoists and winches – Design and construction
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS/NZS 1576 series: Scaffolding (for interface with other access systems)
• AS/NZS ISO 31000: Risk management – Guidelines