High Risk Work Licence - Slewing Mobile Crane C1 (100t) key terms

A legal framework placing duties on everyone in the supply chain, including crane operators and schedulers, to ensure load safety and compliance with mass, dimension and loading requirements.

The legal obligation of a person to take reasonable steps to avoid harm to themselves and others affected by their work, including pedestrians and other trades on site.

A person who has acquired through training, qualification or experience the knowledge and skills to carry out a particular task safely and correctly, such as inspecting lifting gear.

A written document that sets out high-risk construction work activities, the hazards involved, the control measures to be applied, and how those controls will be implemented, monitored and reviewed.

The ranked order of risk controls from most to least effective: eliminate the hazard, then substitute, isolate, engineer, administrate, and finally use personal protective equipment.

A structured process of identifying hazards, evaluating the likelihood and consequence of harm, and deciding which control measures are needed to reduce risk to an acceptable level.

Any thing, condition or activity with the potential to cause injury, illness, damage to property or harm to the environment during crane operations or site work.

The load per unit area that a crane's outrigger or track imposes on the ground, which must not exceed the supporting soil's or slab's capacity to prevent settlement or collapse.

A stout timber, steel or composite pad placed under outriggers or tracks to spread load over a larger area, reducing ground bearing pressure and improving stability.

The load-spreading plate or float fitted beneath an outrigger jack, which distributes the crane's reaction forces into the mat and the ground beneath.

The maximum load a crane may lift in a specific configuration, radius and boom length, as stated in the manufacturer's load chart for that machine.

A manufacturer-supplied table or graph showing the rated capacity of a crane at various radii, boom lengths and configurations, including deductions for jibs and attachments.

The horizontal distance measured from the crane's slewing centre to the centre of gravity of the load, used to read the correct capacity from the load chart.

The point within an object or load where its weight is considered to act evenly in all directions, critical for balancing loads and calculating sling tension.

The process of calculating or conservatively estimating the total mass of a load, including rigging gear, before selecting lifting equipment and planning the lift.

A multiplier applied to a load's weight to determine the tension in each sling leg, increasing as the angle between the sling and the horizontal decreases.

The actual force carried by each sling leg during a lift, calculated from the load weight, number of legs and the angle each leg makes with the horizontal.

The maximum mass that a sling, shackle or lifting accessory is rated to support in a particular configuration, marked on the item by its manufacturer.

A rope attached to a load to control its rotation and swing during lifting, keeping personnel clear while allowing them to guide the load without touching it.

The turning effect of a load about the crane's tipping point, calculated as load weight multiplied by radius, and used to assess stability and de-rating requirements.

The rotation of the crane's upper structure about its vertical axis, which creates centrifugal and dynamic forces that must be controlled during load movement.

A braking mechanism that controls or locks the slewing motion of the crane's upper structure, preventing unwanted rotation from wind or slope.

The arrangement of boom, jib, counterweight and outriggers selected for a lift, which determines the load chart applicable and the crane's rated capacity.

A systematic check of the crane before use, covering fluid levels, tyres, outriggers, wire rope, hooks, brakes, alarms and safety devices, with defects recorded and reported.

Examination of hoist and boom ropes for broken wires, corrosion, kinks, bird-caging and reduced diameter, with rejection criteria applied against the manufacturer's standard.

A spring-loaded safety device on a crane hook that closes the throat to prevent slings and rigging from slipping out during lifting operations.

A safety system that detects when the hook block approaches the boom tip and stops hoisting or booming up to prevent two-blocking and rope or boom damage.

An onboard computer system that monitors load, radius and boom angle, displaying capacity utilisation and warning or stopping the crane before an overload occurs.

A clearly marked area beneath and around a lift where unauthorised people are prohibited, established to prevent injury from falling loads or crane movement.

A documented plan for a lift that identifies the load, crane, rigging, personnel, hazards and controls, communication methods and emergency arrangements for the operation.

A lift using two or more cranes to share a load, requiring an engineered plan, defined load share, single controlling person and communication protocol.

The lifting of people in a work box or platform, permitted only when it is the safest practicable method and with a documented plan and suitable certified equipment.

A licensed rigger who directs the crane operator using hand signals, whistle signals or radio, ensuring the load is moved safely and correctly.

A person who selects, attaches, inspects and secures lifting gear to a load, and who determines slinging methods and load control before the lift.

A standardised set of arm and hand movements used by a dogger to direct crane movements when radio communication is unavailable or fails during a lift.

Standard audible signals, such as one blast to hoist and two to lower, used to direct crane operations when visibility or radio conditions prevent hand signals.

A person positioned to observe clearances, ground conditions or powerline proximity and warn the operator, particularly where the operator's view is obstructed.

The minimum safe distance that must be maintained between any part of the crane, load or rigging and overhead electrical conductors, as specified by the network operator and legislation.

A record of all inspections, servicing, repairs and defects for a crane, used to demonstrate compliance and to track the machine's safety history.

A formal written record of an accident, near miss or dangerous occurrence, completed promptly and used to trigger investigation and corrective action.

A documented set of actions to be taken in the event of fire, powerline contact, load loss, crane collapse or injury, including shutdown, evacuation and notification steps.

The sequence for safely parking and securing a crane at the end of work, including lowering the load, retracting the boom, applying brakes and isolating power.