WORKPLACE Health and Safety Queensland says from 30 August 2009, a mobile slewing/non-slewing crane operator cannot undertake their own dogging work or supervise a trainee dogger.
This restriction on dogging work applies even if the crane operator is, even if the operator is also a licensed dogger. The policy does not apply to the operation of a vehicle loading crane with a capacity of 10m tonnes or more.
It also does not apply to a bridge and gantry crane where the load being lifted by remote control is more than five tonnes and where the crane has the ability to perform three or less powered operations, and where the load is always in full view of the operator.
According to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, this policy is due to a number of incidents have occurred in Queensland and other parts of Australia in which serious injuries have resulted where the crane operator has left the crane’s cabin to sling their own loads or to supervise a trainee dogger.
The WHSQ says it has decided 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, rectify any emerging situation involving a trainee, or make judgements on load security and slinging position and landing of the load while the crane is in operation or is mobile.
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.
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