Crane & Lifting Operations JSA Template
This template covers mobile crane lifting operations — slewing and non-slewing mobile cranes and vehicle loading cranes — on construction sites, in yards and in workshops. It steps through lift planning, rigging inspection, exclusion zones, communication protocols, execution of the lift and load landing, with the crane operator, dogman and rigger roles addressed at each stage. Supplied as an editable Word file, it adapts to your crane type, site conditions and crew in minutes.
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This Job Safety Analysis breaks a crane lifting operation into eight sequential steps — from lift planning and crane set-up verification through rigging inspection, exclusion zone establishment, communication protocols, the lift itself, and load landing. It maps the interface between the crane operator, dogman and rigger at each step, identifying the specific hazards each role controls: ground failure and powerline contact at set-up, gear failure at inspection, struck-by and crush injuries during slinging, slewing and landing. Each step lists concrete hazards, an initial risk rating, hierarchy-tagged controls and the residual risk once controls are in place.
Crane lifts on construction sites frequently involve high-risk construction work under regulation 291 of the model WHS Regulations — for example, work carried out in an area with movement of powered mobile plant, or work near energised electrical installations or services. Where that applies, a SWMS must be prepared before the work starts; this JSA supplements the SWMS with step-level detail but does not discharge that duty. In Victoria the equivalent obligations sit under the OHS Regulations 2017.
Hazards identified
16 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Arises at step: Plan the lift and verify crane set-up. Initial risk HIGH, reduced to MEDIUM with the listed controls in place.
Arises at step: Plan the lift and verify crane set-up. Initial risk HIGH, reduced to LOW with the listed controls in place.
Arises at step: Plan the lift and verify crane set-up. Initial risk HIGH, reduced to MEDIUM with the listed controls in place.
Arises at step: Inspect lifting gear and rigging equipment. Initial risk HIGH, reduced to LOW with the listed controls in place.
Arises at step: Inspect lifting gear and rigging equipment. Initial risk MEDIUM, reduced to LOW with the listed controls in place.
Arises at step: Establish the exclusion zone. Initial risk HIGH, reduced to MEDIUM with the listed controls in place.
Arises at step: Establish the exclusion zone. Initial risk MEDIUM, reduced to LOW with the listed controls in place.
Arises at step: Hold the pre-lift briefing and confirm communication protocols. Initial risk HIGH, reduced to MEDIUM with the listed controls in place.
Arises at step: Sling and connect the load (dogging work). Initial risk HIGH, reduced to LOW with the listed controls in place.
Arises at step: Sling and connect the load (dogging work). Initial risk HIGH, reduced to MEDIUM with the listed controls in place.
Arises at step: Trial lift and stability check. Initial risk HIGH, reduced to LOW with the listed controls in place.
Arises at step: Trial lift and stability check. Initial risk MEDIUM, reduced to LOW with the listed controls in place.
Arises at step: Execute the lift — hoist, slew and travel the load. Initial risk HIGH, reduced to MEDIUM with the listed controls in place.
Arises at step: Execute the lift — hoist, slew and travel the load. Initial risk HIGH, reduced to MEDIUM with the listed controls in place.
Arises at step: Land the load and de-rig. Initial risk HIGH, reduced to LOW with the listed controls in place.
Arises at step: Land the load and de-rig. Initial risk HIGH, reduced to LOW with the listed controls in place.
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Administrative — Obtain services drawings and backfill records, and position the crane on verified, compacted ground
- 2Engineering — Use engineered outrigger pads or bog mats sized for the maximum imposed outrigger load
- 3Isolation — Keep the crane set back from trenches, pits and basements at least the depth of the excavation, or as directed by geotechnical advice
- 4Administrative — Prepare a documented lift plan with verified load weight, rigging weight, radius and crane chart capacity, checked by a competent person before the lift
- 5Engineering — Confirm the rated capacity limiter/indicator is functional and configured for the actual crane set-up
- 6Elimination — Arrange de-energisation or re-routing of overhead lines with the network operator before the lift
- 7Administrative — Where lines remain live, enforce the no-go zone distances applying in your state with a dedicated safety observer
- 8Engineering — Fit visual indicators (tiger tails, flags) and physical goal posts on crane approach paths
- 9Administrative — Dogman inspects every sling, chain and fitting before use and quarantines damaged gear immediately
- 10Administrative — Check current inspection tags and reject any gear without a legible working load limit marking
- 11Engineering — Select slings so the working load limit exceeds the share of load at the planned sling angle
- 12Engineering — Use hooks with operable spring-loaded safety latches; tag out hooks with sprung, seized or missing latches
- 13Isolation — Barricade the lift area and full load path with physical barriers and signage before rigging begins
- 14Administrative — Appoint a spotter to hold the exclusion zone wherever the load path crosses site access routes
- 15Isolation — Barricade the full slew radius at ground level, including the counterweight swing
- 16Administrative — Brief all plant operators on the crane zone and lift times at the pre-start meeting
- 17Administrative — Nominate one dogman as the sole signaller; the operator acts only on that person's signals, except an emergency stop from anyone
- 18Engineering — Use dedicated two-way radios on a clear channel, with agreed hand signals as backup for radio failure
- 19Administrative — Stop the lift and hold the load whenever communication is lost, until contact is re-established
- 20Administrative — Take up slack slowly on the dogman's signal only, pausing at first tension for a position check
- 21Administrative — Keep hands clear of pinch points; position slings using taglines or push sticks while tension is applied
- 22PPE — Wear cut- and impact-resistant rigger gloves (AS/NZS 2161)
- 23Engineering — Sling to the load's rated lift points and keep sling angles at 60 degrees or steeper where practicable
- 24Administrative — Assess the centre of gravity before the lift and re-rig until the load hangs level in the trial lift
- 25Administrative — Raise the load just clear of the ground and hold for a balance, sling-seating and crane-response check before continuing
- 26Engineering — Fit taglines to control load rotation and swing
- 27Administrative — Dogman stands clear of the swing path and never between the load and fixed objects
- 28Administrative — Land the load fully and slacken the slings before any re-rigging or adjustment
- 29Administrative — Plan the load path so it never passes over people; halt the lift immediately if anyone enters the zone
- 30Administrative — Keep the exclusion zone patrolled by the spotter for the full duration of the lift
- 31Administrative — Monitor wind speed with an anemometer and suspend lifting at the crane manufacturer's stated limit for the configuration and load sail area
- 32Engineering — Use taglines to steady large or high-sail-area loads throughout the travel
- 33Engineering — Prepare the landing area with rated stands or dunnage before the lift so slings can be removed without hands under the load
- 34Administrative — Lower in stages on the dogman's signal; all workers keep feet and hands clear until the load is fully supported
- 35PPE — Wear steel-capped safety boots (AS 2210.3)
- 36Engineering — Use engineered stands, chocks or rated dunnage suited to the load shape and mass
- 37Administrative — Do not release rigging until the dogman confirms the load is stable and fully supported
Applicable Codes of Practice
Lift planning, exclusion zones and communication protocols reflected in the step analysis.
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Crane lifts on construction sites frequently involve high-risk construction work under regulation 291 of the model WHS Regulations — for example, work carried out in an area with movement of powered mobile plant, or work near energised electrical installations or services. Where that applies, a SWMS must be prepared before the work starts; this JSA supplements the SWMS with step-level detail but does not discharge that duty. In Victoria the equivalent obligations sit under the OHS Regulations 2017.
Who this is for
- →Mobile crane owner-operators and crane hire companies
- →Riggers and dogmen running lifting crews
- →Builders and site supervisors coordinating crane lifts on their sites
- →Transport and logistics operators using vehicle loading cranes
- →Fabrication shops and yards carrying out regular lifts with mobile plant
What you receive
- ✓Editable Microsoft Word (DOCX) template you can brand, adapt and reuse across jobs
- ✓Eight-step task breakdown from lift planning through to load landing and de-rigging
- ✓Concrete hazards, hierarchy-tagged controls and before/after risk ratings pre-filled for every step
- ✓PPE, training and emergency response sections specific to lifting operations
- ✓Crew sign-on section to record the pre-lift briefing
- ✓Written in Australian WHS terminology, with dogman, rigger and crane operator roles addressed throughout
Worked example
This Job Safety Analysis breaks a crane lifting operation into eight sequential steps — from lift planning and crane set-up verification through rigging inspection, exclusion zone establishment, communication protocols, the lift itself, and load landing. It maps the interface between the crane operator, dogman and rigger at each step, identifying the specific hazards each role controls: ground failure and powerline contact at set-up, gear failure at inspection, struck-by and crush injuries during slinging, slewing and landing. Each step lists concrete hazards, an initial risk rating, hierarchy-tagged controls and the residual risk once controls are in place.
Related legislation
- Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations of your state or territory (in Victoria, the OHS Act 2004 and OHS Regulations 2017)
- How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice
- Where the task is high-risk construction work: the SWMS provisions of your jurisdiction (a JSA supplements, and does not replace, a required SWMS)
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need a SWMS for crane lifts?
Often, yes. A JSA does not satisfy the SWMS duty. Crane work on construction sites frequently involves high-risk construction work under regulation 291 of the model WHS Regulations — for example, work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant, or work near energised electrical installations. Where that applies, a SWMS must be prepared before work starts and this JSA supplements it; it does not replace it. In Victoria the equivalent duty sits under the OHS Regulations 2017.
What licences does my lift crew need?
The crane operator needs a high risk work licence matching the crane class (such as C2, C6, C1 or C0 for slewing mobile cranes, or CV for vehicle loading cranes of 10 metre tonnes or more). Anyone slinging loads, selecting lifting gear or directing the crane when the load is out of the operator's view needs a dogging licence (DG). Rigging work beyond dogging requires an RB, RI or RA licence, depending on the work.
Is this JSA suitable for all crane types?
It is written for mobile crane lifting operations, including slewing and non-slewing mobile cranes and vehicle loading cranes, in construction, yard and workshop settings. Because it is a fully editable Word document, you can adapt the steps, hazards and controls for tower cranes, gantry cranes or your specific crane configuration.
What is the difference between this JSA and a lift plan?
The JSA is a step-by-step hazard analysis of the whole task — who does what, what can go wrong at each step, and the controls. A lift plan is the engineering side: verified load weight, rigging arrangement, crane chart capacity at radius, and ground bearing. You need both. Many sites also require a documented lift study for critical lifts, such as dual-crane lifts or lifts approaching the crane's rated capacity.
When should the JSA be reviewed?
Before each lift or series of lifts, whenever conditions change (wind, ground condition, a different load or crane configuration), and after any incident or near miss. The whole lift crew should walk through it at the pre-lift briefing and sign on before work starts — the template includes a sign-on section for exactly this.