Product Overview

Summary: This Weather Monitoring during Crane Operations SOP sets out a clear, practical system for assessing and responding to weather conditions before and during lifting activities. It helps Australian businesses manage wind, storms and other environmental risks that can destabilise cranes, protecting workers, plant and the public while supporting compliance with WHS and crane safety requirements.

Adverse weather is one of the most significant and unpredictable risk factors in crane operations. High winds, lightning, heavy rain and reduced visibility can quickly turn an otherwise routine lift into a serious incident, with the potential for crane instability, dropped loads and structural damage. This Weather Monitoring during Crane Operations Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured approach to monitoring, interpreting and acting on weather information before, during and after crane lifts on Australian worksites.

The SOP guides your team through selecting and using appropriate weather monitoring tools, setting clear wind speed and weather thresholds for different crane types, documenting decisions and communicating changes to all affected workers. It helps you embed weather considerations into lift planning, pre-start checks and real-time operational decisions, rather than relying on ad-hoc judgements. By implementing this procedure, businesses can demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation, reduce the likelihood of weather-related incidents, and minimise costly downtime and project delays caused by last-minute cancellations or unsafe decisions.

Designed for construction, infrastructure, mining, ports and any operation using mobile, tower or gantry cranes, this SOP brings together best-practice weather monitoring methods with practical on-site controls. It supports consistent decision-making across shifts and sites, provides a defensible record when regulators or clients ask how weather risks are managed, and gives crane crews the confidence to stop work when conditions exceed safe limits.

Key Benefits

• Ensure crane operations are suspended or modified before weather conditions become unsafe, reducing the risk of overturns and dropped loads.
• Standardise weather monitoring processes across sites, shifts and crane types, improving consistency and decision-making.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS duties and crane safety requirements by documenting weather thresholds and operational limits.
• Reduce unplanned downtime and project delays by using reliable forecast data and real-time monitoring to plan lifts around adverse weather.
• Improve communication between crane operators, doggers, supervisors and project managers regarding weather-related risks and stop-work decisions.

Who is this for?

• Crane Operators
• Doggers and Riggers
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Lift Coordinators
• Principal Contractors
• Civil and Infrastructure Supervisors
• Mining and Resources Supervisors
• Ports and Maritime Operations Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Crane instability or overturning due to high winds or gusts
• Load swing, drift or loss of control caused by wind
• Dropped loads and collision with structures, plant or people during adverse weather
• Electrical hazards from operating cranes during lightning or storms
• Reduced visibility from heavy rain, fog or dust affecting safe lifting operations
• Slips, trips and falls around crane operating areas during wet or stormy conditions
• Structural stress or damage to cranes and lifting gear from operating outside rated weather limits
• Traffic and public safety risks when cranes operate near roads or public areas in poor weather

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (including wind speed terms, gusts, and weather warnings)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, crane operator, dogger, supervisor, WHS personnel)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Guidance
• 5.0 Weather Risk Assessment in Lift Planning
• 6.0 Weather Monitoring Equipment and Data Sources (anemometers, BoM services, site weather stations)
• 7.0 Pre-Operation Weather Checks and Documentation
• 8.0 Wind Speed and Weather Thresholds for Different Crane Types and Configurations
• 9.0 Step-by-Step Procedure for Monitoring Weather During Crane Operations
• 10.0 Decision-Making Criteria: Continue, Modify or Suspend Lifts
• 11.0 Communication and Escalation Protocols for Weather-Related Decisions
• 12.0 Emergency Actions for Sudden Adverse Weather Changes
• 13.0 Integration with Lift Plans, SWMS and Permit-to-Work Systems
• 14.0 Training, Competency and Awareness Requirements
• 15.0 Recordkeeping, Monitoring and Review of Weather-Related Incidents and Near Misses
• 16.0 Continuous Improvement and Periodic SOP Review

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations – provisions relating to plant and high risk work
• Safe Work Australia – General Guide for Cranes
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice
• AS 2550 series: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use (particularly parts relevant to specific crane types, e.g. AS 2550.1, AS 2550.3, AS 2550.4, AS 2550.5)
• AS 1418 series: Cranes, hoists and winches – Design, including wind loading and operating limits
• Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) – Australian weather warnings and forecasting services (as referenced operationally)