Product Overview

Summary: This Lifting and Rigging Safety Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for planning, preparing and carrying out lifting operations using cranes, hoists and rigging gear. It helps Australian workplaces control high-risk activities, protect workers from serious injury, and demonstrate compliance with WHS legislation and relevant Australian Standards.

Lifting and rigging activities are classified as high-risk work across Australian industries because failure of a lift can result in multiple fatalities, significant property damage and major regulatory consequences. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step framework for planning, authorising and executing lifting operations using cranes, hoists, slings, chains, shackles and other rigging equipment. It defines how to assess loads, select and inspect lifting gear, establish exclusion zones, communicate effectively between crane operators and doggers/riggers, and carry out the lift in a controlled, documented manner.

Designed for Australian workplaces, this SOP aligns with WHS legislation and relevant Australian Standards to help you meet your duty of care, especially where high-risk construction work or complex lifts are involved. It addresses common problem areas such as ad‑hoc lifting practices, undocumented pre-start checks, unclear roles and responsibilities, and inconsistent use of spotters and exclusion zones. By implementing this procedure, businesses can significantly reduce the likelihood of dropped loads, crane overturns, equipment failure and crush injuries, while also improving productivity through better planning and coordination of lifting operations.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of dropped loads, crush injuries and equipment failures during lifting operations.
• Ensure consistent compliance with Australian WHS legislation and key lifting and rigging standards.
• Standardise pre-use inspections, tagging and maintenance of lifting and rigging equipment.
• Improve communication and coordination between crane operators, doggers, riggers and supervisors.
• Provide clear documentation to support training, competency verification and incident investigations.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Crane Operators
• Doggers and Riggers
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Warehouse and Logistics Managers
• Manufacturing Production Managers
• Utilities and Infrastructure Supervisors
• Mining and Resources Supervisors

Hazards Addressed

• Dropped or swinging loads striking workers or plant
• Crush and pinch point injuries during rigging and load connection
• Crane overturning or structural failure due to overloading or poor ground conditions
• Failure of slings, chains, shackles or lifting points due to damage or incorrect selection
• Uncontrolled movement of loads from wind, poor signalling or inadequate tag lines
• Struck-by incidents involving mobile cranes, forklifts or other lifting plant
• Electrocution from contact with overhead or underground electrical services
• Manual handling injuries while positioning lifting equipment and rigging gear
• Slips, trips and falls around lifting zones and uneven ground
• Noise and visibility issues affecting communication and signalling

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (Cranes, Dogging, Rigging, High Risk Work)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Planning and Risk Assessment for Lifting Operations
• 5.0 Pre-Lift Requirements and Permit-to-Work (if applicable)
• 6.0 Selection, Inspection and Tagging of Lifting and Rigging Equipment
• 7.0 Site Preparation, Ground Conditions and Exclusion Zones
• 8.0 Load Assessment, Centre of Gravity and Rigging Configuration
• 9.0 Communication Methods, Signalling and Use of Spotters
• 10.0 Step-by-Step Lifting and Rigging Procedure
• 11.0 Working Near Overhead and Underground Services
• 12.0 Control of Environmental Factors (Wind, Visibility, Weather)
• 13.0 Post-Lift Activities, Equipment Storage and Housekeeping
• 14.0 Incident, Near Miss and Equipment Failure Reporting
• 15.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 16.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Recordkeeping Requirements
• 17.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and harmonised state/territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (including provisions for high risk work and plant)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
• AS 2550 series: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use
• AS 1418 series: Cranes, hoists and winches – Design and construction
• AS 4991: Lifting devices
• AS 3775: Chain slings for lifting purposes
• AS 1353: Flat synthetic-webbing slings
• AS 2741: Shackles
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices (where working at height is involved)