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Mobile Crane Operation Risk Assessment

This risk assessment covers mobile crane operation, from planning and set-up through to lifting activities and emergency response.

Activities covered include

  • Plan crane work and assess the work area
  • Manage overhead powerline and electrical risks
  • Respond to defects, incidents and unsafe conditions

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Mobile Crane Operation Risk Assessment
  • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • Pre-filled Content - Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • Customisable - Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers mobile crane operation, from planning and set-up through to lifting activities and emergency response. It supports identifying hazards, clarifying work arrangements and managing risks during crane work.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

  • Plan crane work and assess the work area
  • Confirm crane selection and lift requirements
  • Coordinate crane crew, site personnel and communication
  • Inspect the crane, lifting equipment and safety devices
  • Assess ground conditions and set up outriggers
  • Manage overhead powerline and electrical risks
  • Control traffic, pedestrians and nearby plant
  • Sling loads and check lifting gear
  • Manage suspended loads and load movement
  • Monitor weather and site conditions
  • Respond to defects, incidents and unsafe conditions

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses involved in mobile crane operations.

Activities & Hazards Covered

Activity Potential Hazards
Planning and work area assessment
  • Incorrect crane selection or insufficient rated capacity for the lift
  • Unidentified site hazards including restricted access, poor visibility, nearby structures or shared airspace
  • Unplanned heavy, complex or dual lifts creating overload or loss of control
  • Inadequate consultation and unclear roles between crane crew and site personnel
Competency, licensing and communication
  • Unlicensed or untrained workers undertaking crane, dogging, rigging or spotting duties
  • Conflicting directions to the operator
  • Loss of communication during lifting
  • Workers not understanding site-specific hazards or limits
Crane inspection, safety devices and maintenance status
  • Mechanical or structural failure
  • Faulty rated capacity limiter, anti-two block, indicators or brakes
  • Poor visibility due to damaged or dirty windows
  • Use of defective crane or lifting equipment
Ground conditions, outriggers and stability
  • Crane overturning due to soft, wet, sloping or recently disturbed ground
  • Outrigger pads sinking or slipping
  • Set-up over underground services, voids or near excavations
  • Loss of stability during pick-and-carry travel
Overhead powerlines and electrical hazards
  • Electrocution or electric shock from boom, load or lifting gear contacting or approaching live lines
  • Flash-over without direct contact
  • Induced voltage on plant or load
  • Workers entering unsafe distances while guiding loads
Traffic, pedestrians and nearby plant or structures
  • Collision with vehicles, mobile plant, buildings, scaffolds or stored materials
  • People struck by the crane, counterweight or suspended load
  • Crush injuries in shared work areas
  • Interaction with the public or adjoining areas
Slinging, lifting gear and suspended loads
  • Dropped load from incorrect slinging, damaged gear or overloading
  • Load shift, snagging or imbalance during lifting
  • Workers struck by a swinging or falling load
  • Crush injury while guiding or landing the load
Lifting operations and load movement
  • Overloading the crane due to incorrect radius, deductions or dynamic movement
  • Sudden load movement, shock loading or uncontrolled swing
  • Contact with structures or plant during slew or boom movement
  • Operator error when visibility is restricted
Weather and environmental conditions
  • High winds causing load swing or loss of stability
  • Lightning exposure
  • Reduced visibility from rain, dust, glare or low light
  • Slippery ground increasing set-up and travel risk
Emergency response and unsafe conditions
  • Delayed response to plant failure, dropped load or electrical contact
  • Workers entering danger zones during an incident
  • Injury escalation due to poor rescue or first aid arrangements
  • Continued operation after defects or near misses

Need to tailor this risk assessment?

Use the BlueSafe Portal to add site-specific activities, hazards, controls, responsibilities and review details before the assessment is put into use.

Acceptance Guaranteed: If your client or principal requests changes during document review, BlueSafe will help revise the document at no extra cost and support resubmission until it is accepted.

Legislation & References

The template records model guidance used to inform the documented controls. Applicable WHS/OHS laws and adopted Codes vary by state or territory, so confirm the current local requirements when tailoring the assessment:

  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — Plant used to lift or suspend persons or things; p. 17.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Excavation work — 2.3. Controlling the risks; p. 17.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Construction work — 6.2 Workplace specific induction training; p. 41.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace — 3. First aid equipment, facilities and training; p. 12.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks — 5. Step 4 — How to review controls; p. 27.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace — 2.1 Identifying the hazards; p. 14.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces — 3.2 Identifying the hazards; p. 16.
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Activity-specific hazard identification and control measures
  • Initial and residual risk ratings
  • Assigned responsible persons for each activity
  • Risk matrix and assessment classification
  • Review, monitoring and sign-off fields
  • Site-specific customisation before use

Suitable for Industries

Building and ConstructionTransport and LogisticsWarehousing and DistributionCivil Construction and EarthworksDemolitionMining and Resources

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