High Risk Work Licence - Non-Slewing Mobile Crane CN cheat sheet

A non-slewing mobile crane with a rated capacity over 3 tonnes requires a High Risk Work Licence class CN in the jurisdiction where the work is performed.

The licence holder must carry the licence or a copy while performing high risk work and produce it on request of an inspector.

Duty of care requires the person conducting the business to eliminate or minimise risks so far as is reasonably practicable, and the operator to take reasonable care for their own and others' safety.

A Safe Work Method Statement is required for construction work classified as high risk, and work must be carried out in accordance with it.

Licences are class specific: CN covers non-slewing mobile cranes; operating a slewing mobile crane requires the relevant slewing class.

Verification of competency (VOC) is an employer assessment of a licensed operator's competence on a particular crane type, not a substitute for the licence.

Plant must be registered where required, and design or alteration of a crane must be verified by a competent person before use.

Notifiable incidents must be reported to the regulator immediately; a death, serious injury, or dangerous incident triggers the notification duty.

Records of licences, training, maintenance, and inspections must be kept and made available to the regulator on request.

Hierarchy of control, highest to lowest: eliminate the hazard, substitute, engineering controls, administrative controls, then personal protective equipment.

Common non-slewing crane hazards: contact with powerlines, crane overturning, load drop, crush zones, ground collapse, and collision with people or plant.

Pedestrian exclusion zones are set from the crane's full working envelope plus the swing or travel path, not just the load's current position.

Risk score = likelihood x consequence; controls are applied to reduce the score to as low as reasonably practicable before work starts.

Overhead and underground services must be located and marked before setup; if not positively identified, treat the area as live and use a spotter.

Environmental hazards to assess: wind speed and gusts, heat, poor lighting, rain, dust, and ground moisture affecting bearing capacity.

A hazard that cannot be controlled within the crane's capacity limits is a stop-work condition until the lift plan is revised.

Fatigue, distraction, and unauthorised persons in the work area are administrative hazards controlled by supervision and exclusion.

Non-slewing mobile cranes include trailer-mounted, truck-mounted, and articulated or pick-and-carry types; they travel with the load but do not slew.

Rated capacity is the maximum load the crane may lift in a specific configuration, taken from the manufacturer's load chart, not a nameplate figure.

Load chart capacity decreases as boom length or radius increases; capacity is highest at short radius and minimum boom extension.

Working radius is measured horizontally from the centre of rotation or boom pivot to the centre of gravity of the load.

Gross load includes the load, slings and rigging, hook block, and any lifting attachments; all count against rated capacity.

Deductions for attachments such as jibs, augers, or fly sections must be applied exactly as stated in the load chart notes.

Pick-and-carry capacity is usually lower than static capacity and is governed by a separate chart or manufacturer's instructions.

Never exceed the load chart; if the load or radius is unknown, the lift cannot proceed until it is verified.

Where a crane is configured outside the manufacturer's charts, the lift requires engineering verification and a documented lift plan.

Pre-start checks cover logbook, load chart, signage, tyres, brakes, steering, hydraulics, wire rope, hook and latch, and safety devices.

Wire rope is rejected for broken wires, kinks, bird-caging, corrosion, crushed strands, or reduction in diameter beyond the manufacturer's limit.

Hook must have a functioning safety latch and no cracks, deformation, or wear exceeding the discard limit.

Outriggers or stabilisers must be fully extended, pinned, and set on load-bearing pads sized to spread the load over the ground.

Ground bearing pressure check: capacity of the ground must exceed the pressure imposed by the crane and load through each pad.

Crane must be set up level; a slope reduces capacity and can cause the load to swing or the crane to tip.

Stability is governed by the counterweight, outrigger spread, ground conditions, and radius; the load moment must stay within the tipping line.

Setup must maintain clearance from excavations, trenches, embankments, and underground services; a competent person assesses the edge distance.

All safety devices, including rated capacity limiters and alarms, must be tested and operational before the lift.

Sling angle matters: as the angle from horizontal decreases, the tension in each leg increases; a two-leg sling at 45 degrees carries about 0.71 of the load per leg.

Sling tension per leg = load / (number of legs x sin of the angle from horizontal).

Working Load Limit is the maximum load a sling or fitting may carry in a stated configuration; never exceed it.

Sling tag colour and identification must be checked; damaged or unmarked slings are removed from service.

Load estimation by volume x density: steel about 7850 kg/m3, concrete about 2400 kg/m3, water 1000 kg/m3, timber about 600-800 kg/m3.

Centre of gravity must be located; an off-centre lift causes load rotation and unequal leg loading.

Sharp edges require protection, and the sling must not be kinked, twisted, or overloaded by the load's movement.

Shackles and hooks must be rated, correctly oriented, and not side-loaded unless the manufacturer permits it.

Rigging must be checked by a competent person before the load is lifted, and the load must be raised slightly to verify balance.

One designated signal person communicates with the operator; all other persons must relay signals through that person.

Standard hand signals include stop, raise, lower, travel, and emergency stop; signals must be clear and unambiguous.

The operator must stop immediately on an emergency stop signal from anyone, regardless of who gives it.

Radio communication requires a dedicated channel, agreed call signs, and a check of reception before the lift.

The signal person must remain in sight of the operator; if line of sight is lost, the lift stops until communication is restored.

Pre-lift briefing covers load weight, path, radius, signals, exclusion zones, and emergency arrangements for all team members.

Verbal commands are used only when hand signals are impractical and must be confirmed by repeat-back.

Before lifting, the operator confirms the load weight, radius, boom configuration, and that the load is within the load chart.

Lift the load slightly, check balance, sling tension, and brake holding, then proceed only when stable.

Travel with a load is permitted only when the manufacturer's instructions allow it and the load is kept low and controlled.

Travel path must be checked for ground stability, slope, overhead obstructions, and pedestrians before moving.

Avoid shock loading; start and stop smoothly, and never drag or side-pull a load unless the crane is rated for it.

Keep hands and body clear of the load, rigging, and pinch points; never ride the load or stand under it.

Wind limits are set by the manufacturer; stop lifting when the load's sail area makes it uncontrollable.

Park the crane with the load lowered, brakes applied, and controls isolated when leaving the operator's position.

Emergency stop: lower the load to a safe position if possible, stop the engine, and isolate power.

If a load is suspended and cannot be lowered, establish an exclusion zone and seek competent assistance; never leave the load unattended.

Contact with powerlines: the operator stays in the cab and warns others away; if evacuation is necessary, jump clear and shuffle away.

Fire response: isolate fuel and power, use the correct extinguisher, and evacuate to the assembly point.

Injury or fatality: provide first aid, secure the scene, and notify the regulator as required.

Incident reporting includes the time, location, equipment, persons involved, and immediate cause; preserve evidence.

Shutdown procedure: lower attachments, apply parking brake, chock wheels, isolate battery, and secure the machine.

Post-incident, the crane must be inspected by a competent person before returning to service.

Daily pre-start inspection is recorded in the logbook before the crane is used.

Periodic inspections are conducted at intervals set by the manufacturer or regulator, and by a competent person.

Major inspection is required after significant repair, alteration, or an incident affecting structural integrity.

Defects are classified as minor or major; major defects require the crane to be taken out of service immediately.

Defect reports must be recorded, communicated to the supervisor, and tracked until rectified.

Maintenance records include date, task, parts used, and the person who performed the work.

Inspection and maintenance records must be retained and made available for audit.

A crane with an unresolved safety defect must not be operated until the defect is rectified and verified.