Unsafe use of crane equipment presents significant risk potential for people and property. Crane collapse or falling loads can cause serious injuries, fatalities as well as damage to property on and off site.

We have produced guidance on the safe use of cranes on construction sites.

While this guidance has not been updated to reflect current work health and safety legislation (the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and regulations), it may still contain relevant information and practices to keep workers and others healthy and safe.

Please read this guidance in conjunction with all relevant industry standards that apply to you as a PCBU. This guidance will be progressively reviewed and either updated, replaced with other guidance, or revoked.

Approved code of practice for cranes

This code provides guidance on the design, manufacture, supply, safe operation, maintenance and inspection of cranes.

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Approved code of practice for cranes (PDF 2.9 MB)
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Crane operators - duties matrix (PDF 63 KB)

Notice Under the Health and Safety in Employment (Pressure Equipment, Cranes, and Passenger Ropeways) Regulations 1999(external link)

Clarification on the Requirements for Persons Operating or Working with Cranes

In Part 4 of the ACOP, it states that “All persons operating or working with a crane must hold the following applicable Unit Standards as a minimum qualification and preferably hold the relevant National Certificate in Crane Operation.” 
 
To clarify this statement, the ACOP - while seen as good practice - is not a legislative instrument. This means that it is not mandatory to hold a Unit Standard or a National Certification.
 
The holding of a Unit Standard or a National Certificate is only one way of demonstrating competency when operating any plant or equipment. Until there is a change in legislation (for example cranes becoming prescribed high-risk plant or similar), only the general HSWA training provisions apply.
 

Crane safety for construction site managers/supervisors

This fact sheet provides guidance on monitoring crane safety, including a list on what to check before and when cranes arrive on site. 

Crane safety for construction site managers/supervisors

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