Product Overview

Summary: This Lifting and Rigging Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step‑by‑step framework for planning, inspecting and carrying out lifting operations safely on Australian worksites. It helps your team control high-risk activities involving cranes, hoists, slings and lifting gear, ensuring loads are moved efficiently while protecting workers, plant and the public.

Lifting and rigging activities are among the highest-risk tasks on any Australian worksite, with the potential for serious injury, fatality and major equipment damage if not controlled. This Lifting and Rigging Safe Operating Procedure sets out a practical, repeatable method for planning and completing lifting operations, from initial task assessment and lift planning through to equipment inspection, communication protocols and post-lift review. It is designed to be applied across construction, manufacturing, warehousing, engineering workshops, utilities and mining support operations.

The SOP translates Australian WHS requirements, relevant standards and industry best practice into clear, field-ready instructions that workers and supervisors can actually use. It addresses common failure points such as inadequate pre-use checks, incorrect sling selection, poor load stability, unclear hand signals, and inadequate exclusion zones. By implementing this SOP, businesses can demonstrate due diligence, reduce the likelihood of dropped loads and near misses, and provide a consistent training and induction tool for new and existing workers involved in lifting activities.

The document also supports your safety management system by clearly defining roles and responsibilities (e.g. crane operator, dogger/riggers, lift supervisor, spotters), outlining controls for different types of lifts (routine, non-routine and critical lifts), and integrating with permit-to-work and risk assessment processes. It helps your organisation not only comply with WHS legislation but also build a strong safety culture around lifting operations, where planning, communication and equipment integrity are non‑negotiable.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of dropped loads, crush injuries and struck-by incidents during lifting operations.
• Ensure lifting and rigging practices align with Australian WHS legislation, standards and industry best practice.
• Standardise how lifts are planned, authorised, executed and documented across all sites and teams.
• Improve competency and confidence of crane operators, doggers and riggers through clear, practical guidance.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and auditors with a documented procedure for high-risk work.

Who is this for?

• Crane Operators
• Doggers and Riggers
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Workshop Managers
• Warehouse and Logistics Managers
• Engineering and Fabrication Supervisors
• PCBU Representatives and Company Directors

Hazards Addressed

• Dropped loads due to incorrect rigging or equipment failure
• Crush and pinch injuries from moving loads and suspended loads
• Struck-by incidents involving swinging or unstable loads
• Equipment failure from worn, damaged or incorrectly used lifting gear
• Overloading of cranes, hoists and lifting accessories
• Uncontrolled movements due to wind, uneven ground or poor load centre of gravity
• Slips, trips and falls in lifting and landing zones
• Contact with overhead powerlines or underground services during lifting operations
• Communication failures between crane operators, doggers/riggers and spotters
• Musculoskeletal injuries from manual handling associated with lifting gear and load preparation

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (Cranes, Dogging, Rigging, Critical Lifts, etc.)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Supervisors, Crane Operators, Doggers/Riggers, Spotters)
• 4.0 Competency, Licensing and Training Requirements
• 5.0 Pre-Lift Planning and Risk Assessment
• 6.0 Lift Classification (Routine, Non-Routine and Critical Lifts)
• 7.0 Selection and Inspection of Lifting Equipment and Accessories
• 8.0 Load Assessment, Centre of Gravity and Rigging Configuration
• 9.0 Site Preparation, Exclusion Zones and Traffic Management
• 10.0 Communication Protocols, Hand Signals and Radios
• 11.0 Step-by-Step Lifting and Rigging Procedure
• 12.0 Working Near Overhead and Underground Services
• 13.0 Environmental Considerations (Wind, Weather, Ground Conditions)
• 14.0 Tagging, Isolation and Out-of-Service Procedures for Defective Equipment
• 15.0 Emergency Response and Incident Management for Lifting Operations
• 16.0 Documentation, Permits and Record Keeping
• 17.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and corresponding state/territory Acts)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and corresponding state/territory Regulations) – High Risk Work and Plant
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work
• AS 2550 series: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use
• AS 1418 series: Cranes, hoists and winches – Design, testing and commissioning
• AS 4991: Lifting devices
• AS 1353: Flat synthetic-webbing slings
• AS 4497: Round slings – Synthetic fibre
• AS 3775: Chain slings for lifting purposes
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices (where working at height during lifting operations)
• AS/NZS ISO 31000: Risk management – Guidelines