Mobile crane SWMS, drafted for your job
A mobile crane can overturn when the ground or lift setup is wrong, while slewing counterweights and suspended loads put nearby workers in crush zones. Describe the job and site so your SWMS is drafted around them, then check the controls on site before work starts.
A$39per job
However many high-risk activities it covers.
- However many high-risk activities it covers.
- 3 for A$99
- 10 for A$249
- Yearly A$129 for 120
- Monthly A$60 for 10
You review it on site before work starts.
Your Business
Safe Work Method Statement
Version 1
Draft
Mobile crane
Site Your site address
Law Your state
High-risk construction work
- Work where powered mobile plant is moving
- Work on or near energised electrical installations
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Plan the crane lift | Unknown load and weak standing area | Extreme | Confirm load details, lift configuration and ground support |
| 2 | Set outriggers and barriers | Crane settlement and counterweight sweep | Extreme | Check setup support and isolate the slew area |
| 3 | Attach and balance load | Gear failure and unstable pickup | Extreme | Inspect rigging and check balance before travelling the load |
| 4 | Lift and land load | Blind movements and crushing | High | Use one signal source and keep workers outside the load path |
| 5 | Unrig and pack down | Unstable load and moving outriggers | High | Confirm load support before unhooking and keep pack-down clear |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your mobile crane SWMS will contain
An A4 document your crew can read on site, a PDF for the builder and a sign-on register.
- Job and site detailsYour business, the site, the principal contractor, the dates.
- High-risk construction workThe categories your job involves, ticked.
- Step-by-step methodEach step with its hazards, risk rating and controls.
- How controls are checkedWho puts each control in place, monitors and reviews it.
- PPE, plant and permitsEquipment and training the job needs.
- Emergency planAssembly point, first aid, nearest hospital to confirm on site.
- Consultation and reviewWho was consulted, when it is reviewed.
- Sign-on registerYour crew signs by QR or on paper.
High-risk construction work
Categories this task often involves
You tick the ones your job involves. Each ticked category gets its own steps and controls, in your state's wording.
- Work where powered mobile plant is moving
- Work on or near energised electrical installations
State notes
Rules depend on your state
Pick your state when you start. Your state's regulator publishes the rules and guidance for this work.
Hazards and controls
What goes wrong on a mobile crane job, and how the SWMS controls it
These rows are written for this task. Your draft adds the ones your site and method need.
- 1
Mobile crane outriggers punching through fill or underground voids
Extreme- Verify the crane standing area against the planned lift and ground support arrangement
- Use suitable support mats and stop if outriggers settle or the crane moves
- 2
Mobile crane load falling from mismatched or damaged rigging
Extreme- Confirm load weight, centre of gravity and lifting points before choosing gear
- Inspect rigging and check balance close to the landing supports before lifting away
- 3
Slewing mobile crane counterweight trapping workers against fixed structures
High- Barrier the counterweight sweep and remove access through tight gaps
- Stop slewing when the exclusion area is breached
- 4
Mobile crane boom or load approaching overhead electric lines
Extreme- Choose a crane position away from lines or arrange supply isolation
- Set the electrical exclusion zone and assign an observer for boom and load movements
- 5
Conflicting hand signals during a mobile crane blind lift
High- Nominate one signal source and agree the hand signals or radio calls
- Stop the lift when signals are unclear or communication is lost
- 6
Workers pinned while unhooking mobile crane loads at landing
High- Prepare firm landing supports and a clear escape route before the lift
- Keep hands clear until the load is stable and rigging is slack
How the job usually runs
- 1Plan the crane liftUnknown load and weak standing area → Confirm load details, lift configuration and ground support
- 2Set outriggers and barriersCrane settlement and counterweight sweep → Check setup support and isolate the slew area
- 3Attach and balance loadGear failure and unstable pickup → Inspect rigging and check balance before travelling the load
- 4Lift and land loadBlind movements and crushing → Use one signal source and keep workers outside the load path
- 5Unrig and pack downUnstable load and moving outriggers → Confirm load support before unhooking and keep pack-down clear
PPE for this job
- Safety helmet
- Safety boots
- Rigging gloves
- High-visibility clothing
- Safety glasses
Your draft lists the PPE your site and method need.
After you finalise
Brief your crew and send it to your builder
Crew signs by QR
Send to my builder
PDF and register
Builder sent it back?
Make their changes and re-issue the same job free. Workers re-sign the new version.
Questions
Mobile crane SWMS questions
- Last reviewed
- 21 October 2026
- How
- Hazard rows checked against the task; no legal line is stated unless it is logged from primary text.
- Next review
- Every six months, or when the method or rules change
Which hand signals should the mobile crane crew use?
Agree the signal set with the operator before lifting and nominate one person to direct routine movements. Everyone should know the stop signal, and the operator should stop when any instruction is unclear.
What ground information belongs in the crane SWMS?
Describe the setup position, fill, buried services, trenches and nearby slab edges. Record the bearing assessment and support arrangement used for the lift, plus checks for settlement during setup and operation.
How much does a mobile crane SWMS cost?
One job uses 1 SWMS when you finalise: A$39 for one, however many high-risk activities it covers. AI drafting needs a SWMS pack or plan. Packs and Yearly cost less per SWMS.
Is this a template?
No. You describe the job and the site, and the SWMS is drafted for them. You edit anything, then finalise it.
Who checks the SWMS?
You do, with your crew, on site before work starts. The draft gives you a strong starting point; the person running the work makes sure it matches the site.
My builder sent it back. What now?
Open it, make the changes they asked for and re-issue it. Corrections to the same job are free.
How does my crew sign it?
Show the QR code on your phone or print the A4 sign-on sheet. Workers read and sign on their own phones without an account.
Does it work in my state?
Yes. You choose the state before drafting, and the document names the law that applies there. Victoria uses its OHS Regulations.
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