A crane is any appliance intended for raising or lowering a load and moving it horizontally, including the supporting structure of the crane and its foundations.

Cranes can be:

Some powered mobile plant, like telescopic handlers, can be used as a crane when appropriate risk controls are implemented.

The following items of plant are not considered cranes under the WHS Regulations; industrial lift trucks, earthmoving machinery, an amusement device, tractors, industrial robots, conveyors, building maintenance equipment, suspended scaffolding, lifts.

Hazards

Crane operations may present a risk of injury to workers and other people from:

  • Falling objects: people being struck by the load or falling objects from the load (e.g. materials, components) due to plant or equipment failure or operator error or high winds.
  • Collision: while travelling or manoeuvring the crane, contact or collision with other plant and structures such as buildings, scaffolds and powerlines can occur.
  • Unstable surfaces: construction sites can have uneven or unstable ground, which can affect the stability of the crane, resulting in tipping.
  • Weather conditions: wind, rain, and extreme temperatures can impact the stability of the crane, making it harder to operate safely.
  • Structural failure: can cause loss of stability, tipping and falls from height.
  • Falls from height: workers falling while accessing the crane or performing maintenance.
  • Psychosocial hazards: for example, high job demands, remote or isolated work, or fatigue can lead to physical and psychological injuries.

Safety requirements

  • Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS): working with cranes in construction requires a site-specific High Risk Construction Work Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) being implemented before work commences. See SWMS for high risk construction work | SafeWork SA.
  • Training: ensure operators are trained on the specific crane controls, including emergency procedures, and are licenced and follow SOPs and SWMSs.
  • Working with loads: never exceed the Working Load Limit and ensure loads are balanced and secured before lifting.
  • Exclusion zones: ensure they are in in place.
  • Communication: have an agreed system of communication with support personnel who have line of sight of the operator.
  • Operation: avoid lifting over people and ensure travel paths are clear.
  • Wind: monitor wind speeds and their effect on size and shape of the suspended load and crane boom.

High Risk Work Licence

Most cranes require a High Risk Work Licence to operate the crane.

Registration

For information about a specific type of plant, click on a link in the first paragraph.

Registration costs can be found at Registration Fees.

Design Registration

Plant design registration – Guidance notes

A crane can be designed to any internationally recognised published technical standard with the following documents being required for the registration of the crane design:

  • each crane model must have a separate design registration application form.
  • a statement signed by the designer stating the published technical standards and engineering principles used in the design.
  • design calculations and drawing(s) in English, as referenced in the designer's statement
  • an independent design verification statement.
  • plant design specifications or parameters.
  • payment of the fee which lasts for the life of the design (payable on completion of the online application).

Note:

  • design registration applies to all plant items manufactured to the same design.
  • design registration is valid for the life of the plant.
  • manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of plant are prohibited from supplying plant unless the design of that plant is registered.
  • design registration in SA is not required if the plant design is registered in another state under a corresponding WHS law (WHS Act 2012 (SA)).
  • any alteration to the design of registered plant that may affect health, and safety requires an alteration to its design registration.

Plant registration

Plant registration – Guidance notes

To register plant for the first time in South Australia or to renew lapsed registration, the following documentation will be required:

  • a completed online application form including fee payment.
  • a Design Registration Certificate, or a Design Approval Letter (issued pre-July 1996), or exemption letter issued by SafeWork SA to you the applicant (not transferable).
  • a Statement from Competent Person that the plant is safe to use or operate (issued within 12 months of application date).
  • date when plant item was first commissioned or first registered (whichever occurred first).
  • Commissioning Report (prior to first use in Australia). If the crane being registered has been in service for more than 10 years, attach a copy of the Major Inspection Report (10-yearly) in lieu of a Commissioning Report.
  • authorisation letter from the PCBU who will have management or control of plant (where the applicant is a third-party acting on behalf of the PCBU).

If you are applying for transfer of ownership of an existing SafeWork SA issued registration(s) the following documentation will be required:

  • a completed online notification form lodged within 14 days of purchase.
  • statement from competent person that the plant is safe to use or operate (issued within 12 months of application date).
  • date when plant item was first commissioned or first registered (whichever occurred first).
  • if the crane being registered has been in service for more than 10 years, attach a copy of the Major Inspection Report (10-yearly) in lieu of a commissioning report.
  • authorisation letter from the PCBU who will have management or control of plant (If applicable where the applicant is a third-party acting on behalf of the PCBU).
  • letter from former owner confirming date that transfer of ownership occurred and that they no longer have management or control of the plant.

If you are applying to change the location of an existing SafeWork SA issued registration(s) the following documentation will be required:

  • a completed online notification form lodged within 14 days of becoming aware of the change.
  • for plant that is fixed in one location, SafeWork SA requires evidence that it has been commissioned at the new location in order to amend the registration. Therefore, a statement from a competent person that the plant is safe to use or operate in the new location (issued with 12 months of application date) is required.
  • If the crane being registered has been in service for more than 10 years, attach a Major Inspection Report (10-yearly).
  • authorisation letter from the PCBU who will have management or control of plant (If applicable).

If you are applying to make changes to other information of an existing SafeWork SA issued registration(s) the following documentation will be required:

  • a completed online notification form lodged within 14 days of becoming aware of change(s).
  • where the change relates to a design alteration, then a copy of the design registration for the alteration and any relevant changes to recorded information
  • statement from competent person that the plant is safe to use or operate reflecting the updated information (if applicable).
  • if the crane being registered has been in service for more than 10 years, attach a copy of the Major Inspection Report (10-yearly).
  • authorisation letter from the PCBU who will have management or control of plant (If applicable where the applicant is a third-party acting on behalf of the PCBU).

Note:

  • SafeWork SA will notify plant registration holders in writing around one month prior to renewals being due. In making a decision to grant the renewal of a plant item registration, SafeWork SA will consider whether the plant has been regularly maintained and inspected in accordance with WHS Regulation 213 and 235.

Change of details

You must provide us with written notice within 14 days if:

  • you change your name or address, or any other information stated on your application for registration
  • the plant design has been altered to an extent where it is subject to new control measures

Inspection and maintenance

A preventative maintenance program must be in place, taking into account the working environment, frequency and severity of use of the plant. It needs to be carried out according to the manufacturer’s specifications and Australian standards (i.e. AS 2550.1, and the applicable AS 2550 series), with inspections carried out by a competent person such as:

  1. Pre-operational inspection: before the beginning of each work shift or change of operator.
  2. Routine inspection: conducted at intervals of 3 months.
  3. Periodic inspection: conducted at intervals of 12 months.
  4. Major inspection: conducted by the end of the 10th year in-service.

For further information: Safe Work Australia Guide to inspecting and maintaining cranes.

Record keeping

A record (e.g. logbook) of the service and maintenance history of the plant needs to be kept and made readily available and be written in easy to understand English.

Refer to the applicable Australian Standard and WHS Regulation 237.

Contact us

Visit: safework.sa.gov.au

Call: SafeWork Licensing Unit on 1300 365 255

Email: licensing.safework@sa.gov.au

Further information

SafeWork SA

Resources

Legislation

  • WHS Act 22 - Duties of PCBUs that design plant, substances or structures
  • WHS Regulation 213 – Maintenance and inspection of plant
  • WHS Regulation 219 (3) – Plant that lifts or suspends loads
  • WHS Regulation 237 – Records of plant
  • WHS Regulation 244 – Altered plant designs to be registered

Australian Standards

  • AS 1418.1: Cranes, hoists and winches: General requirements
  • AS 1666: Wire-rope slings
  • AS 1666.2: Wire-rope slings - care and use
  • AS 2550.1-2011: Cranes, hoists and winches - Safe use Part 1: General requirements
  • AS 2759 Steel wire rope – Use, operation and maintenance
  • AS 4991 Lifting devices

Codes of Practice

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