Product Overview

This Overhead Crane Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls for the safe operation, inspection, and maintenance of overhead cranes in Australian workplaces. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of Overhead Crane SWMS, supporting robust WHS compliance and safer lifting operations.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe control and operation of overhead electric travelling cranes across workshop and warehouse environments
• Pre-start inspections, functional checks, and isolation of overhead cranes prior to use
• Selection, inspection, and correct use of lifting gear, slings, chains, hooks, and attachments
• Planning of lifts, including load assessment, centre of gravity, and confirmation of rated capacity
• Use of pendant controls, radio remote controls, and cab controls to minimise crush and collision risks
• Travelling, slewing, and positioning loads to avoid contact with people, plant, structures, and obstacles
• Establishing and maintaining exclusion zones and spotters to protect workers and bystanders
• Managing overhead hazards such as powerlines, building services, and restricted headroom
• Emergency procedures for power failure, uncontrolled load movement, and equipment malfunction
• Lockout/tagout procedures for maintenance, inspection, and repair activities on overhead cranes
• Noise, manual handling, and fatigue management controls for crane operators and doggers
• Housekeeping, traffic management, and coordination with forklifts and other mobile plant
• Training, competency, and verification of licences for crane operators and associated personnel

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for fabrication workshops, manufacturing plants, warehouses, logistics facilities, maintenance contractors, and site supervisors responsible for the operation and control of overhead travelling cranes.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace – guidance on identifying and controlling risks associated with plant such as overhead cranes
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Manual Tasks – controls for manual handling associated with rigging and load preparation
• Model Code of Practice: Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination – requirements for consulting workers involved in crane operations
• AS 2550.1 Cranes, Hoists and Winches – Safe Use – General Requirements – general safe use requirements for cranes and lifting equipment
• AS 2550.3 Cranes, Hoists and Winches – Safe Use – Bridge, Gantry and Monorail Cranes – specific guidance for overhead and bridge cranes
• AS 1418 Cranes, Hoists and Winches (series) – design and operational requirements for cranes and associated lifting equipment
• AS 4991 Lifting Devices – requirements for the design, inspection, and safe use of lifting devices
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017