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Communiqu to the construction industry

Imported Cranes
23 February 2007 1. BACKGROUND

The use of new cranes which may not have been designed to meet Australian working conditions could pose a potential safety risk to those persons using the crane and to other persons in the vicinity. Similar risks may also arise from the use of second hand cranes which have not been maintained and repaired in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. Many new and second hand cranes are imported into Victoria from interstate and overseas each year. This document sets out the basic requirements that importers, suppliers and owners of such cranes should meet prior to allowing any crane to be used in Victoria. 2. LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL CRANES

[This section applies to cranes of all capacities, including cranes with a SWL under 10 tonne.] The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, Part 3, requires, so far as is reasonably practicable, designers, manufacturers, suppliers and employers to ensure that the plant is safe for use. Each duty holder should undertake a hazard identification and risk assessment process and apply appropriate controls in order to meet this duty.

[Note: The regulations are currently being reviewed and are due to be incorporated into new consolidated Occupational Health and Safety Regulations which will commence on 1 July 2007.] 2.1 Risk Control

Occupational Health and Safety (Plant) Regulations 1995, (the regulations).

Other specific legislation relevant to the supply and use of mobile cranes include the

All of the above duty holders must ensure that a hazard identification has been carried out in respect of the use of the crane and that all identified risks have been controlled so far as is practicable. This process should generally include reference to relevant Australian Standards. However, where appropriate, reference to other published standards may be used. 2.2 Provision of Information

The OHS legislation also requires all duty holders to pass on to the next party in the design manufacture supply use chain, all information relevant to the cranes safe erection or set up, dismantling, maintenance, emergency procedures and end use. Any restrictions or limitations, if any, should also be passed on.

WorkSafe Communiqu: Imported Cranes, 23 Feb 2007

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2.3

Imported Cranes

Where cranes are imported into Victoria without a documented maintenance history, then the person importing or supplying the crane must in addition to any other requirements generally applying to new equipment ensure that: (i) Where the crane is second hand or cannot be substantiated as new, that the crane, regardless of its age, is subject to a 10 year major inspection and an assessment for continued safe operation in accordance with the relevant parts of AS 1418 and AS 2550. The crane undergoes any repairs and maintenance in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations or where these cannot be determined, in accordance with the advice of a competent person. An ongoing maintenance schedule is prepared in accordance with any known manufacturers recommendations and those of the competent person. Documentation verifying the above is retained by the crane owner. [Note: WorkSafe may seek to audit this documentation at anytime.]

(ii)

(iii) (iv)

Persons involved in the importation of cranes should also note the following safety issues which WorkSafe officers commonly observe in regard to imported cranes: a) AS 1418.5 requires that the rated capacity of mobile cranes is not greater than 75% of the tipping load for stationary mobile cranes or not greater than 66.6% for pick & carry cranes. Imported cranes sometimes have lesser stability when compared to the requirements of AS 1418.5. Therefore load charts should be amended to meet AS 1418 requirements unless the importer / supplier through a risk assessment process can justify a higher stability rating for a specific work environment. Load charts do not provide all the information as required by AS 1418. Typical non conformances include:* All the information may not be in English Loads not on kilograms Caution or operational notes not present Working radius diagram not present Rope sizes & required lengths not shown Tyre pressures not shown Minimum ground support conditions not shown Weight deductions for ancillary items not shown Max boom length at 0 angle not shown

b)

* For full load chart requirements refer to AS 1418.5, Section 10.

WorkSafe Communiqu: Imported Cranes, 23 Feb 2007

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3.

ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC CRANES

The regulations require various classes of plant, including vehicle loading cranes and mobile cranes with SWL greater then 10 tonne, not to be used in Victoria until: (i) Notification of the plant design is given to WorkSafe and that notification is confirmed in writing. The notification must include: Design verification statement that the design was produced in accordance with relevant standards. Name, qualification and details of person producing the above statement. Representational drawing of the crane. Any other information pertinent to the design, operation and maintenance requirements should be readily available upon request.

(ii) Each individual crane is registered with WorkSafe. The registration must include the following information: Sufficient information to clearly identify the crane. Copy of the cranes design notification confirmation, or equivalent from an interstate Authority. [Note: The design notification details must be sufficient to ensure that they are applicable to the specific make, model and series of the crane being registered. This also applies where the design notification has been undertaken in another state.] Any other information requested.

[Note: The requirements for crane design notification and registration do not apply if these processes have been undertaken in another state. However, WorkSafe Victoria may undertake an audit of the crane at any time.] 4. FURTHER INFORMATION

(i) Further information on design notification and plant registration, including applicable forms and fees, may be found on WorkSafes website www.worksafe.vic.gov.au. (ii) Further advice on inspection, maintenance & repair of mobile cranes may be found in:

AS 1418.5- Cranes (including hoists and winches) Part 5: Mobile cranes AS 2550.5 Cranes, hoists and winches Safe use Part 5 Mobile cranes

Geoff Thomas Construction & Utilities Director WorkSafe Victoria.

WorkSafe Communiqu: Imported Cranes, 23 Feb 2007

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