31.07.2009

Queensland reminds on self slinging ban

Queensland Worksafe has reminded crane operators that effective 30th August, a mobile crane (slewing/non-slewing) operator will not be permitted to carry out his own load slinging (dogging) or supervise a trainee slinger/dogger.

The restriction will apply even if the crane operator is a licensed dogger/slinger, but does not apply to loader cranes with a capacity of 10 tonnes or more, or to bridge and gantry cranes where the load is more than five tonnes and where the crane has the ability to perform three or less powered operations, remains in full view of the operator and is remote controlled.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has issued a fact sheet that says the policy follows a number of incidents in Queensland and other parts of Australia, in which serious injuries have resulted from the crane operator leaving the crane cab to sling their own loads or to supervise a trainee dogger.

It adds that it has determined that a mobile crane operator is not in a position to exercise judgement in relation to the method of load slinging and take up of slings or rectify any emerging situation or make judgements on load security and landing of the load while the crane is in operation.

The operator is also not permitted to leave the crane controls unless
in an emergency or after the loads and lifting slings have been removed from the hook, raised the crane hook to a position
where it is clear of other operations and disabled all powered crane motions. Or supervise and/or direct a trainee dogger.

The fact sheet says that the policy is in compliance with the Australian Standard AS2550.1-2002 (Cranes, Hoists and Winches Safe Use and General Requirements) which specifies that crane operators need to be in full control of their crane at all times.

The information is contained within a Technical Guidance Note updated in June, Click here to go directly to the Note

Vertikal Comment

While this clarification is well intended it appears to be overly prescriptive, for example what if the mobile crane is equipped with full remote controls?

On many smaller jobs there could be a tendency to migrate to large loader cranes for certain routine lifts, not that that is a bad thing, just a distortion.

The rules could make one of the safest forms of lifting too costly for small lifts, imagine trying to compete on a small lift with a 20 tonne mobile crane with operator and licensed dogger, against a loader crane with operator.

The rules are well intended but could have negative repercussions.