Product Overview

Summary: This Tracked and Crawler Crane Mobility Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, step‑by‑step requirements for safely moving cranes on and between work sites. It helps Australian businesses control the significant risks associated with crane travel, slew and positioning, while demonstrating compliance with WHS obligations and industry best practice.

Tracked and crawler cranes present unique mobility risks that differ markedly from wheeled mobile cranes and other plant. Poorly planned crane movement can lead to ground failure, rollovers, contact with overhead services, structural damage, and serious injury or fatality. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, practical framework for assessing ground conditions, planning crane travel paths, controlling slew and travel near edges or services, and coordinating spotters and riggers during movement. It is designed specifically for Australian conditions, including variable soil types, congested urban sites and large civil or mining projects.

By implementing this SOP, your organisation can demonstrate a defensible, documented system for managing crane mobility risks in line with WHS legislation and relevant Australian Standards. The procedure supports consistent decision‑making by operators and supervisors, clarifies who authorises crane movements, and standardises communication and exclusion zones. This reduces the likelihood of costly incidents, rework and regulator scrutiny, while improving productivity through well‑planned crane access and egress on site.

The document is suitable for use across construction, infrastructure, mining, ports and heavy industry, and can be easily integrated into existing SWMS, lift plans and contractor management systems. It is written in clear, operational language so that crews can use it day‑to‑day, while still providing the level of detail and traceability that WHS managers and auditors expect.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of crane rollovers, ground collapse and uncontrolled movement during travel and positioning.
• Ensure crane mobility planning aligns with Australian WHS legislation, relevant standards and lift planning requirements.
• Standardise how operators, doggers and supervisors assess ground conditions, travel routes and exclusion zones.
• Improve communication and coordination between crane crews, engineers and site management when relocating cranes.
• Minimise project delays, damage to underground services and costly remediation from poorly planned crane movements.

Who is this for?

• Crane Operators
• Doggers and Riggers
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Civil and Structural Engineers
• Plant Coordinators / Fleet Managers
• Principal Contractors
• Mining and Resources Supervisors
• Infrastructure and Rail Project Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Crane rollover due to unstable or sloping ground during travel
• Ground collapse or failure over trenches, basements, culverts or services
• Contact with overhead powerlines and other overhead obstructions during movement or slew
• Collision with structures, plant, vehicles or personnel while tracking or slewing
• Loss of control on gradients, ramps or uneven ground
• Entrapment or crushing of spotters, riggers or other workers within the crane’s slew or travel path
• Damage to underground services such as gas, water, sewer and electrical conduits
• Reduced visibility and blind spots during crane travel
• Environmental damage from tracking over unstable or protected ground
• Fatigue‑related decision errors during extended crane mobilisation or demobilisation activities

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope – Application to tracked and crawler crane mobility on and between sites
• 2.0 Definitions – Tracked crane, crawler crane, travel path, slew radius, exclusion zone, competent person
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities – PCBU, crane operator, dogger/rigger, site supervisor, engineer, spotter
• 4.0 Pre‑Mobility Planning – Route selection, access constraints, traffic management and permits
• 5.0 Ground Condition Assessment – Soil type, bearing capacity, compaction, backfilled areas and edge distances
• 6.0 Services and Structural Interface – Identification and protection of underground and overhead services, basements and culverts
• 7.0 Pre‑Movement Inspections – Crane condition, track integrity, slew brakes, alarms and safety systems
• 8.0 Site Preparation – Temporary works, mats, pads, ramps, gradients and environmental controls
• 9.0 Communication and Signalling – Use of spotters, radios, hand signals and line‑of‑sight requirements
• 10.0 Safe Mobility Procedure – Step‑by‑step requirements for travelling, slewing and positioning the crane
• 11.0 Working on Slopes and Uneven Ground – Speed limits, direction of travel and additional controls
• 12.0 Exclusion Zones and Traffic Management – Pedestrian and vehicle separation during crane movement
• 13.0 Work Near Overhead and Underground Services – Approach distances, isolation and verification controls
• 14.0 Adverse Weather and Reduced Visibility – Wind, rain, dust, night works and additional precautions
• 15.0 Loading, Unloading and Transport Interface – Mobilisation and demobilisation from low loaders and barges
• 16.0 Emergency Procedures – Response to ground failure, near misses, powerline contact and mechanical failure
• 17.0 Training, Competency and Licensing – High risk work licences, VOCs and familiarisation requirements
• 18.0 Monitoring, Review and Audit – Inspections, incident learning and continuous improvement of the SOP
• 19.0 Document Control and Recordkeeping – Version control, approvals and retention of mobility plans

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and State/Territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth and State/Territory equivalents) – Plant and Structures
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
• AS 2550.1 Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – General requirements
• AS 2550.3 Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – Mobile cranes
• AS 1418.5 Cranes, hoists and winches – Mobile cranes
• AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites (for overhead and underground electrical service considerations)
• State and Territory electrical safety regulations relating to work near overhead and underground powerlines
• Principal Contractor and client‑specific lift planning and mobile plant management procedures