Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit specifies the outcomes required to operate a tower crane for licensing purposes, and covers a jib or boom/job crane mounted on a tower structure, demountable or permanent, including both horizontal and luffing jib types. This unit does not cover self-erecting tower cranes.

Application of the unit 

This unit requires the operator to plan the work, conduct routine checks, transfer loads and shut down and secure the crane. This unit requires the operator to plan the work, conduct routine checks, transfer loads and shut down and secure the crane.

This unit is based on the requirements of the National Standard for Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work.

This unit in its current form meets state and territory licensing requirements. Any alteration will result in a unit, which is not acceptable to regulators for the purpose of licensing.

Prerequisite units 

Nil

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Plan work.

1.1. Potential workplace hazards  are identified.

1.2. Hazard control measures  are identified consistent with appropriate standards  to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment.

1.3. The weight of the load is identified and estimated in consultation with appropriate personnel .

1.4. Crane  is appropriate  to the loads and workplace conditions.

1.5. Appropriate paths for the movement of loads in the work area are inspected and determined.

1.6. Appropriate communication methods  are identified with appropriate personnel.

2. Conduct routine checks.

2.1. Crane is accessed in safe manner.

2.2. Crane is visually checked for any damage or defects.

2.3. All signage and labels  are visible and legible according to the appropriate standard.

2.4. Routine pre-operational crane checks are carried out according to procedures .

2.5. All controls  located and identified.

2.6. Crane service logbook  is checked for compliance.

2.7. Crane is started according to procedures and checked for any abnormal noises.

2.8. All crane safety devices  are tested according to procedures.

2.9. Post start operational checks are carried out according to procedures.

2.10. All communication equipment  is checked for serviceability

2.11. All damage and defects are reported and recorded according to procedures and appropriate action taken.

3. Transfer load.

3.1. Determine lifts are within the capacity of the crane.

3.2. Appropriate hazard prevention /control measures  are applied to the work area according to procedures in consultation with appropriate personnel.

3.3. Boom/jib and hoist block is positioned over load following directions from appropriate personnel.

3.4. Test lift  is carried out to procedures.

3.5. Loads are transferred using all relevant crane movements  according to procedures and appropriate standards.

3.6. All required communication signals  are interpreted correctly according to procedures and the appropriate standard.

3.7. Crane is operated according to procedures.

3.8. Load movement is monitored constantly to ensure safety of personnel, load and structural stability.

3.9. Unplanned and /or unsafe situations  are responded to in line with procedures.

4. Shut down and secure crane.

4.1. Crane is placed in weather vane mode according to procedures (where applicable).

4.2. Relevant motion locks and brakes are applied (where applicable).

4.3. Crane and equipment is secured correctly, according to procedures and the appropriate standard.

4.4. Crane is shut down  according to procedures

4.5. Routine post-operational checks on crane are carried out, according to procedures.

4.6. All damage and defects are reported and recorded according to procedures and appropriate action taken.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

Required skills for this unit are:

• accurate recording and maintenance of information relating to crane operations
• communication techniques in the workplace including whistles, hand signals and use of two-way radios
• interpersonal communication skills at a level sufficient to communicate with other site personnel
• loading of data into crane computer (where fitted) and checking of operation to accurately reflect the crane configuration
• operation of a tower crane for the lifting and moving of loads to the safe working rated capacity in conjunction with other appropriate personnel where required
• risk assessment and hazard control strategies, including hierarchy of control as applied to the positioning and safe operation of the crane (particular awareness of the risks associated with overhead powerlines/electrical cables, wind, etc)
• use and interpretation of crane manufacturer's specifications and data, including load charts to enable the crane to be configured for the load
• verifying problems and equipment faults and demonstrating appropriate response procedures

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge for this unit is:

• ability to read and comprehend manufacturer's instructions, procedures and safety signs
• appropriate mathematical procedures for estimation of loads
• commonwealth, state or territory OHS legislation, standards and codes of practice relevant to the full range of processes for the crane class
• organisational and workplace standards, requirements, policies and procedures for conducting operations for the crane class
• understanding of the hierarchy of hazard identification and control
• level of literacy to be able to read and comprehend manufacturer's instructions, procedures and safety signs
• tower crane operating techniques
• procedures for the recording, reporting and maintenance of workplace records and information
• tower crane characteristics and capabilities to allow the operation of the crane to suit the range of loads
• rated capacity and working load limits (including use of crane load charts)
• typical routine problems encountered in the operation of the crane and equipment and adjustments required for correction.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Successful assessment of this unit meets the competency requirement of the National Standard for licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work.

State/Territory OHS regulators have mandated the use of Assessment Instruments and Instructions for Assessment for this unit which have been endorsed by the national body responsible for OHS matters.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:

• comply with OH&S licensing legislation
• communicate and work safely with others in the work area
• assess risks and management procedures (particular awareness of the risks associated with overhead powerlines/electrical cables, wind, etc)
• operate a tower crane for the lifting and moving of loads to the safe working rated capacity in conjunction with other appropriate personnel
• apply appropriate mathematical procedures for estimation of loads.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Assessment of the safe and effective application of knowledge and skill to workplace tasks (performance) must be undertaken using the endorsed Assessment Instrument
• Assessment of performance must be undertaken either in the workplace or in a realistically simulated workplace setting
• Assessors must ensure that the assessment in the workplace is organised to ensure that all the required equipment and materials and a suitable working area is made available to suit the assessment and the workplace
• Assessment must occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
• Assessment is to comply with relevant appropriate standard requirements
• Applicants must have access to:

• personal protective equipment (PPE) for the purpose of the Performance Assessment.
• appropriate tower crane and associated equipment in safe condition
• suitable loads as specified by the endorsed assessment instrument
• communication equipment (eg. two way radios, whistles, etc)
• other appropriate personnel to sling and direct the loads.

Method of assessment 

Assessment must be conducted using the endorsed Assessment Instruments. These Instruments provide advice on their application.

The use of 'simulators'  in the assessment of this unit of competency is not acceptable .

Assessment may be in conjunction with the assessment of other units of competency.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance together with application of underpinning knowledge.

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstances, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Guidance information for assessment 

Further information about endorsed Assessment Instruments may be obtained from state/territory OHS regulators.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Hazards  may include but not limited to:

• ground stability (e.g. ground condition or slopes for load placement)
• overhead hazards (e.g. power lines, service pipes)
• insufficient lighting
• traffic (e.g. pedestrians, vehicles, plant)
• environmental conditions (e.g. wind, lightning, storms, etc)
• other specific hazards (e.g. dangerous materials).

Hazard control measures :

Refers to the systematic process of eliminating or reducing the risk to personnel and property through the application of controls.

It includes the application of the hierarchy of control, the six-step preference of control measures to manage and control risk:

• elimination
• substitution
• isolation
• engineering control measures
• using safe work practices
• personal protective equipment.

Appropriate standard  s may include but not limited to:

• codes of practice
• legislation
• Australian Standard
• manufacturer's specifications
• industry standards (where applicable).

Appropriate personnel  may include but not limited to:

• riggers
• doggers

Crane 

Covers a jib or boom/job crane mounted on a tower structure, demountable or permanent, including both horizontal and luffing jib types.

NB: Self-erecting tower cranes are excluded from this classification.

Appropriate  may include but not limited to:

• crane capabilities
• environmental conditions (e.g. wind, lightning, storms, etc).

Communication method  may include but not limited to:

• verbal and non-verbal language
• written instructions
• signage
• hand signals
• listening
• questioning to confirm understanding
• appropriate worksite protocol.

Signage and labels  may include but not limited to:

• crane data plates/labels
• load charts
• crane decals
• control labels.

Procedures  may include but not limited to:

• manufacturer's guidelines (instructions, specifications or checklists)
• industry operating procedures
• workplace procedures (work instructions, operating procedures, checklists).

Controls  may include but not limited to:

• luffing levers
• hoisting and lowering levers
• slewing levers including brake
• trolleying levers (where applicable)

Service logbook  may include but not limited to:

• any logbook
• service book
• history record system where the service and maintenance history is kept.

Crane safety devices  may include but not limited to:

• audible and visual devices
• operator restraint devices
• lights.

Communication equipment  may include but not limited to:

• two way radios
• whistles
• bells
• buzzers.

NB : where radio communication equipment is used the transmitting frequencies of the equipment must be selected to prevent interference to or from other radio equipment being used in the vicinity of the crane.

Hazard prevention /control measures  may include but not limited to:

• safety tags on electrical switches/isolators
• powerlines are insulated
• safety observer used inside exclusion zone
• power disconnected
• traffic barricades and control/s
• pedestrian controls
• trench covers
• movement of obstructions
• personal protective equipment
• adequate illumination.

Test lift 

The load is lifted just clear of the lifting plane to allow for checks to be safely made in consultation with appropriate personnel to ensure that:

• near capacity loads do not overload the crane
• loads of unusual shape or weight distribution are correctly slung
• load measuring equipment can be used to verify the calculated weight of the load
• all crane equipment is functioning properly
• adjustments to the slinging can be made in a safe manner.

Relevant crane movements  may include but not limited to:

• luffing
• slewing
• hoisting and lowering loads
• trolleying.

Communication signals  may include but not limited to:

• stop - hand
• stop - whistle
• hoist up - hand
• hoist up - whistle
• hoist down - hand
• hoist down - whistle
• luff boom down - hand
• luff boom down - whistle
• luff boom up - hand
• luff boom up - whistle
• trolleying out - hand
• trolleying out - whistle
• trolleying in - hand
• trolleying in - whistle
• slew left - hand
• slew left - whistle
• slew right - hand
• slew right - whistle.

Unplanned and /or unsafe situations  may include but not limited to:

• failure/lose of control e.g. slew brakes, hoist drums
• failure of equipment e.g. hydraulic system
• environmental conditions (e.g. wind, lightning, storms, etc).

Shut Down  may include but not limited to:

• boom/jib raised to clear buildings and structures (where applicable)
• trolleying hoist block to park position (where applicable)
• retracting hoist rope&hook block
• idle engine to stabilise temperature
• weather vane mode
• turning off engine
• remove key from ignition
• lock and secure cabin (where applicable)
• lock and secure platform access hatch.

Unit sector 

Construction

Co-requisite units 

Nil

Functional area