Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out clear, standardised communication and signalling requirements for all crane operations, ensuring every lift is coordinated, controlled and compliant with Australian WHS expectations. It defines how doggers, riggers, crane operators and spotters communicate, reducing confusion, near misses and costly incidents on site.

Miscommunication is one of the leading causes of crane-related incidents on Australian worksites. This Communication and Signalling in Crane Operations SOP provides a clear, consistent framework for how verbal, radio and hand signals are used before, during and after every lift. It defines who can give instructions, how those instructions must be given, and what each signal means, so that the crane operator can respond with confidence in busy, noisy or complex environments.

Developed for compliance with Australian WHS legislation and industry best practice, this procedure helps organisations eliminate guesswork and personal “systems” that vary from crew to crew. It addresses planning of lifts, pre-start communication, radio protocols, standard hand signals, blind and tandem lifts, and what to do if communication is lost or unclear. By implementing this SOP, businesses can demonstrate due diligence, support high-risk work licensing requirements, and significantly reduce the likelihood of collisions, dropped loads, and injuries associated with crane operations.

Key Benefits

• Standardise communication between crane operators, doggers and riggers across all sites.
• Reduce the risk of collisions, dropped loads and crush injuries caused by unclear or conflicting instructions.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS laws and expectations for high-risk construction work involving cranes.
• Improve efficiency of lifting operations by minimising delays, re-work and confusion during complex lifts.
• Support consistent induction and refresher training for new and existing crane crews.

Who is this for?

• Crane Operators
• Doggers and Riggers
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Civil and Infrastructure Supervisors
• Manufacturing and Warehouse Supervisors
• Marine and Port Operations Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Dropped loads due to misinterpreted or conflicting signals
• Crush and pinch injuries from uncontrolled or unexpected crane movements
• Collisions with structures, plant, services or other cranes
• Struck-by incidents involving workers or the public in the vicinity of the lift
• Equipment damage and structural failure from incorrect positioning or overloading
• Incidents arising from loss of communication during blind lifts or poor visibility conditions
• Fatigue and distraction-related errors in high-risk lifting operations

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (Dogger, Rigger, Crane Operator, Spotter, Blind Lift, etc.)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Authority to Direct Lifts
• 4.0 Planning and Pre-Lift Communication Requirements
• 5.0 Standard Hand Signals for Crane Operations
• 6.0 Two-Way Radio Communication Protocols and Call Signs
• 7.0 Communication Requirements for Blind, Night and Complex Lifts
• 8.0 Procedures for Tandem and Multi-Crane Lifts
• 9.0 Managing Loss of Communication and Stop-Work Triggers
• 10.0 Exclusion Zones, Spotters and Public Interface Controls
• 11.0 Training, Competency and Verification of Skills
• 12.0 Interface with Lift Plans, SWMS and Permits to Work
• 13.0 Incident, Near-Miss and Communication Failure Reporting
• 14.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of Communication Practices

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants) – High Risk Work and Plant provisions
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the risks of plant in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Construction work
• AS 2550.1 Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – General requirements
• AS 2550.5 Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – Mobile cranes
• AS 2550.3 Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – Bridge, gantry and monorail cranes
• AS 1418 Cranes, hoists and winches series – Design and operational considerations