Product Overview

Summary: This Remote Control Crane Operation SOP sets out clear, practical steps for planning, operating and shutting down remote-operated cranes safely on Australian worksites. It helps businesses control high-risk lifting operations, protect workers and the public, and demonstrate compliance with WHS duties for crane and dogging activities.

Remote-controlled cranes are now common across construction, manufacturing, warehousing and infrastructure projects, offering improved visibility and reduced operator exposure to certain hazards. However, they also introduce unique risks such as loss of signal, inadvertent activation, and reduced tactile feedback compared with cab-operated cranes. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step approach to planning and carrying out remote crane operations so that loads are lifted, moved and landed safely and consistently, regardless of who is on shift.

Developed for the Australian regulatory environment, the SOP guides your team through pre-start inspections, communication protocols between operator and dogger, exclusion zone management, load assessment, and emergency response. It addresses common incident scenarios such as uncontrolled load swing, crane contact with powerlines or structures, and unauthorised persons entering the lift area. By implementing this document, businesses can standardise how remote cranes are used across multiple sites, strengthen training and competency assessment, and provide clear evidence of due diligence in the event of an audit or investigation.

Whether you operate bridge and gantry cranes in a workshop, tower cranes on a high-rise, or mobile cranes with remote controls on civil projects, this SOP helps integrate manufacturer instructions, Australian Standards and site-specific rules into one practical procedure. The result is safer lifting operations, fewer near misses, and more predictable project delivery.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, safe operation of remote-controlled cranes across all shifts and sites.
• Reduce the likelihood of dropped loads, collisions and near misses during lifting operations.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation, crane licensing and duty of care requirements.
• Strengthen operator and dogger communication through clear signals, radio protocols and role definitions.
• Improve incident preparedness with documented emergency shutdown, fault response and rescue procedures.

Who is this for?

• Crane Operators (remote control)
• Doggers and Riggers
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Manufacturing and Warehouse Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Civil and Infrastructure Supervisors
• Mining and Resources Supervisors
• Transport and Logistics Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Crane contact with overhead or underground electrical services
• Uncontrolled load movement, swing, or dropped loads
• Crane instability, overturning or structural failure
• Crushing, trapping and pinch point injuries within the crane operating envelope
• Struck-by hazards to workers or the public from moving loads or crane components
• Signal interference, loss of communication or loss of remote control signal
• Unauthorised access to exclusion zones around crane operations
• Manual handling strains during rigging, slinging and connection of loads
• Noise and visibility limitations impacting safe operation
• Slips, trips and falls in the operator’s walking/operating area

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Applicable Crane Types
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Relevant Legislation, Standards and Manufacturer Instructions
• 5.0 Required Training, Licensing and Verification of Competency
• 6.0 Required PPE, Tools and Equipment
• 7.0 Pre-Start Planning and Risk Assessment (SWMS/JSA)
• 8.0 Crane and Remote Control Pre-Use Inspections
• 9.0 Site Preparation and Exclusion Zone Setup
• 10.0 Communication Protocols and Signalling (Dogger/Operator/Rigger)
• 11.0 Load Assessment, Rigging and Slinging Requirements
• 12.0 Step-by-Step Remote Control Crane Operating Procedure
• 13.0 Working Near Overhead and Underground Services
• 14.0 Operating in Adverse Weather, Low Light and Confined Areas
• 15.0 Faults, Malfunctions and Loss of Signal – Response Procedure
• 16.0 Emergency Procedures, Emergency Stop and Incident Response
• 17.0 Shutdown, Isolation and Securing the Crane
• 18.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Reporting Requirements
• 19.0 Housekeeping, Storage and Battery/Charging Management for Remotes
• 20.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of the Procedure

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 – Part 4.5 Cranes and Part 4.1 Hazardous Work
• Safe Work Australia – General Guide for Cranes
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• AS 2550 series: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use (including relevant parts such as AS 2550.1 and AS 2550.3/AS 2550.10 depending on crane type)
• AS 1418 series: Cranes, hoists and winches – Design and construction
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still widely referenced)
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices (where working at height is involved)
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites (for temporary power and site setups)