These incidents involved the operation of slewing mobile cranes and vehicle loading cranes.

In the past six weeks, SafeWork SA has:

  • immediately suspended a slewing mobile crane licence after it tipped on its side, which subsequently resulted in a three month suspension
  • immediately suspended a slewing mobile crane licence after the structural failure of the boom while lifting a load. The licence holder has been given 28 days to provide a submission on why their licence should not be suspended further
  • suspended a vehicle loading crane licence after the operator struck powerlines while delivering material to a residential construction site.

The crane boom structural failure (left) and the crane that tipped on its side (right).

SafeWork SA Compliance Action

A Person must be authorised to undertake high-risk work. High-risk work licence holders must ensure they take reasonable care for their own health and safety and must ensure that their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of others.

SafeWork SA has the power to immediately suspend a high-risk work licence where there is an imminent serious risk to the health and safety of any person.

Several licence holders in recent times have had their licence suspended resulting in them not being authorised to undertake high-risk work.

Persons who have their licence suspended or cancelled will need to be retrained and reassessed as competent before getting their licence back. They may also incur a disqualification period where they are unable to apply for another high-risk work licence.

Penalties apply for persons undertaking high-risk work while their licence is suspended or cancelled.

Licence Holder Obligations

High-risk work licence holders must:

  • only do work they are licenced to carry out
  • always have their licence available for inspection when undertaking high-risk work
  • only carry out high-risk work for the class of licence they hold.

Be familiar with the plant before commencing a task:

  • ensure that the plant is in a safe condition prior to operating
  • know all the operating controls and the limitations of the plant.

Operate the plant safely:

  • operate the plant in a safe manner and within its rated capacity and capability
  • ensure they take reasonable care to carry out the high-risk work safely and competently
  • set up and operate plant in the manner in which you were trained to get your HRW licence.

Control access to / separation from the plant:

  • prevent unauthorised or unintentional use of the plant
  • provide adequate pedestrian separation and traffic control measures.

If an incident occurs:

  • ensure that the plant is inspected by a suitably competent person before it is put back into service.

Further links: