Incidents involving tower cranes can have catastrophic safety consequences on workers and the public, as well as cause significant damage to buildings and other structures – such as scaffolds and power lines.

Over 2019, SafeWork NSW Inspectors will be checking tower crane compliance and talking to supervisors, operators and doggers about safe slinging and load movement.

What you can do to stay safe

To ensure safe slinging and load movement, you should:

• avoid lifting or moving suspended loads over the heads of workers or the public
• have appropriate controls in place to manage the risk of falling objects
• ensure loading zones are protected from unauthorised access
• check operators, doggers and riggers hold the appropriate high risk work licence
• ensure inexperienced or new operators are adequately supported and supervised.

 Where our inspectors find safety breaches they will take compliance and enforcement actions to ensure the safety of all persons on site.

Workers and their supervisors may also be fined up to $3,600 if they are operating a crane or dogging without the appropriate high risk work licence.

For more information on tower crane safety, contact 13 10 50 or see the tower crane page on the SafeWork NSW website.

Source: SafeWork NSW