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Tower Crane

SWMS · SWMS-10272

  • 13 job steps
  • Version 7

This Tower Crane Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) sets out how to work safely with a tower crane, from planning and arrival on site to climbing the tower, operating the crane and securing it on completion.

It covers 13 job steps: planning, arrival and site conditions, work area set-up, the environment, communication, climbing the tower, pre-inspection, pre-lift assessment, the crane pre-start check, crane operation, re-fuelling, completion and emergency response.

It includes controls for high-risk construction work around mobile plant, energised electrical services, falls and flammable atmospheres, with a risk matrix to rate each hazard.

It suits construction managers overseeing crane operations, safety officers, crane operators and the other people involved in crane work.

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Preview of the Tower Crane SWMS

Tower Crane

SWMSVersion 7
Company doing the work
[Company]
Business contact
—
Phone #
—
Responsible person (for monitoring SWMS and work)
—
Responsible person's phone
—
Responsible person's signature
—
Date signed
—
Principal contractor (PC)
[Principal contractor]
PC Address
—
PC phone
[PC phone]
Date SWMS provided to PC
—
Job Site Address
[Site address]
Part of a construction project
—

Site management plan

If the work is part of a construction project, this SWMS must align with requirements of the Site Management Plan in place for the Construction Project.

High-risk construction work

This work activity involves the following “High-Risk Construction Work” (HRCW - identified in the Job Task column)

  • Mobile Plant
  • Gas Mains
  • Hazardous Lines
  • Energised Electrical
  • Falls
  • Hazardous Atmosphere

Working with a risk of a fall over 2 metres

The fall from height hierarchy of control level considered when establishing controls:

  • L1Work on the ground or solid construction, not chosen
  • L2Use a passive fall restraint system, e.g. guard rails, scaffolding, EWP, not chosen
  • L3Use a work positioning system, e.g. travel restraint, rope access, not chosen
  • L4Use a fall arrest system, e.g. safety harness, catch platforms, not chosen
  • L5Implement administrative controls, e.g. signage or instruction, not chosen

No level has been chosen yet.

Planning and preparation

Planning/Preparation

  • Liaise with Principal Contractor to identify on-site safety systems and procedures

  • Establish supervisory and communication arrangements

  • Principal contractor to confirm emergency response procedures are in place.

Hold points

  • Hold points identified and signed off before continuing work. (specify the hold points)

Training and licences

  • All workers to have a General Construction Induction Card

  • Relevant workers have relevant certificates of competency, licenses, and training. Specify on the SWMS Sign-off for each worker.

  • Trained First Aider on site

  • All workers trained in site-specific emergency and evacuation procedures, SWMS, safe work procedures, and safety data sheets.

Worker duties and responsibilities

  • Fit condition for work, i.e., no signs of fatigue, alcohol or drugs

  • Attend all site inductions/briefings

  • Comply with all site requirements, e.g. PPE, Traffic Management Plans (TMP)

  • Only carry out work related to the contract

  • Inspect completed work and report possible safety, environmental and quality matters to the supervisor.

Monitoring and review

  • All people involved in the task must have this SWMS communicated to them before work commences

  • SWMS to be reviewed and amended if necessary, in consultation with relevant people after any near miss or incident

  • If additional site hazards identified, review this SWMS and amend control measures to suit

  • People, including workers, contractors and sub-contractors, affected by the revisions to this SWMS, must be informed ASAP

  • Give the principal contractor a copy of the revised SWMS

  • The site supervisor to monitor works against the controls stated in this SWMS

  • SWMS must be kept on-site and made available for inspection or review

  • Keep a record of this SWMS until the job is complete or for two years if involved in a notifiable incident

  • Regardless of any other factor, the person in control of the workplace must review this SWMS at least annually.

Site-specific notes

Legislation and codes of practice

None listed.

Personal protective equipment

  • Foot Protection
  • Hearing Protection
  • High Visibility
  • Head Protection

Do not wear rings, watches or jewellery that may become entangled. Long and loose hair must be tied back.

Job steps, hazards and controls

  • Work activity

    Planning

    • Hazard

      Contact with overhead electric lines

      Before controls4 Acute
      Controls

      • Liaise with electrical entities where necessary regarding the supply of electricity and control measures for working around existing power supply (e.g. de-energising powerlines) including loading bays and site access.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor
    • Hazard

      Inadequate crane team

      Before controls3 High
      Controls

      • Assess the size and complexity of the work to be undertaken

      • Determine the crane crew required for the task. Consider:

        • Number of operators and doggers required

        • Number of riggers required for the activities

        • Whether a trained safety observer is required for maintaining electrical exclusion zones

        • Whether a crane coordinator should be appointed.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
    • Hazard

      Lack of training resulting in injuries & fatalities

      Before controls4 Acute
      Controls

      • All operators have the appropriate licences for Crane Operation, Rigging or Dogging as appropriate

        • E.g. Crane – Tower cranes (CT)

        • E.g. Dogman – Dogging

        • E.g. Rigger – Basic rigging - Intermediate rigging - Advanced rigging

      • Trained and competent to operate the type of crane and attachments they are using

      • Refresher training is undertaken on an ongoing basis.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

12 more job steps, from Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditions to Emergency response

Each with its hazards, risk ratings and controls, plus your crew's sign-on.

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What it covers

13 job steps

  1. PlanningLiaise on power supply and plan the crane crew and licences
  2. Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditionsPark safely, report to the supervisor and assess the site
  3. Work area set-upSet up exclusion zones and check power line clearances
  4. EnvironmentControl noise, air quality, waste, fuels and fauna
  5. Establish a communication systemSet up communication between the crane operator and groundworkers
  6. Climbing the towerClimb the tower with fall-arrest and ladder controls
  7. Pre-inspect craneComplete the pre-start checklist and check the load charts
  8. Pre-lift AssessmentCheck the load, ground capacity and wind limits before lifting
  9. Crane pre-start checkInspect the crane and test its controls before use
  10. Crane OperationHoist, move and place loads within the load chart
  11. Re-fuelling on siteRefuel to the manufacturer's instructions without smoking
  12. On completionSecure the crane and sign out on completion
  13. Emergency responseCall 000 and follow site emergency procedures

Hazards it covers

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