VEHICLE LOADING CRANE

SAFETY AND LICENCE GUIDE

Training support material for:

TLILIC0002
Licence to operate a
vehicle loading crane
(capacity 10 metre tonnes and above)

Produced by:
 INTRODUCTION TO VEHICLE LOADING CRANE

INTRODUCTION TO
VEHICLE LOADING CRANE

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 INTRODUCTION TO VEHICLE LOADING CRANE

What is a vehicle loading crane?

A vehicle loading crane is a crane which is mounted to a vehicle for loading and unloading. Vehicle loading cranes have hydraulic
booms with power supplied from the vehicles engine through a PTO (power take off).

Winch

Extension cylinder

Lift cylinder
Booms

Hook Mast Slewing base

Controls

Outrigger/stabiliser legs

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 INTRODUCTION TO VEHICLE LOADING CRANE

10 metre tonnes
A High Risk Work licence is needed when the vehicle loading crane has a capacity of 10 metre tonnes or more. The metre
tonnage of a vehicle loading crane is a number which is worked out by multiplying the lifting capacity by the working radius
of the boom for that lifting capacity.

To calculate 10 metre tonnes

MULTIPLY THE SWL × THE WORKING RADIUS FOR THAT SWL = METRE TONNES
from the centre line of slew to the centre line of hook. This calculation must be done for each Safe working load (SWL) on
the load chart.
If any one calculation amounts to 10 metre tonnes lifting capacity or greater, the crane operator will require the appropriate
High Risk Work Licence.
For example
The load chart below indicates the crane can lift 1300 kilograms at 8.5 metres.
1300 kg × 8.5 m = 11,050
— as this is greater than 10,000 a HRW Licence is required to operate the crane.

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 INTRODUCTION TO VEHICLE LOADING CRANE

Lifting gear
As a VLC operator you will need to make use of many types of lifting gear including:

Fibre ropes Wire ropes Chain

Synthetic webbing slings Multi-leg slings Hooks

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 Plan work
Element 1

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PC 1.5 PLAN WORK

QUESTION 8 Supervisor, manager and team leaders Workmates

Who might you talk to
about site hazards before
you start the job?

Workplace health and safety representatives Site engineers.

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PC 1.7 PLAN WORK

QUESTION 10 You need to be aware of any specific site hazards that may already exist, for example
ground conditions. You also need to make sure you are aware of any policies and
You need to communicate procedures for the site.
with people on a work site
(such as WHS/OHS reps)
before you start work.
Why do you think it is
important to do this?

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PC 1.5 PLAN WORK

Bearing capacity of different types of ground

You should assess if the soil type is able to support the crane. Different soil types have different load bearing pressures and
these should be considered when choosing packing for outriggers. The pressure a certain type of ground can take is called
its bearing capacity. Different ground types have different bearing capacities.
This table shows the different types of ground and their bearing capacity from weakest to strongest.

Maximum bearing capacity

Ground type Sample of soils
PMAX (Tonnes per m2)

Wet clay Less than 10

Loose sand 10

Soft clay (dry) 10

Stiff clay (dry) 20

Compacted sand 20

Asphalt 20

Compacted gravel
40
(with up to 20% sand)

Shale rock and sandstone 80

Hard rock 200

Unsure? If you are unsure what condition the ground is in, use the lowest bearing capacity or get an engineer to work it out.

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PC 1.2 PLAN WORK

Types of packing
Types of packing you may use include:

Steel plates Hardwood packing

Sleeper mats (matting) Concrete rafts

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PC 1.5 PLAN WORK

Ground conditions
Choosing the set-up location
It is important to check the ground stability before starting to work. Check the ground to see if it is firm enough to support the
crane and equipment. Check the ground is firm and level to keep the crane stable while you move or drive the load.

You should check the ground for recently filled trenches Check that the crane can be set up level. Don’t use the
as the ground may be soft and the crane may sink when crane unless it is level. Also check that the boom can
you use it. move through its full range of movement without hitting
overhead electric power lines or other obstacles.

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PC 1.5 PLAN WORK

QUESTION 12
What are some examples Wind, lightning or rain
of outdoor hazards that you
must plan for? Overhead
service lines Powerlines
Trees

Surrounding Pedestrians
buildings Bridges

Pavement obstructions
(speed humps)
Potential non weight
bearing surfaces

Railway crossings

Other vehicles/ Underground Ground conditions

plant and services
equipment Hazards unique
to the workplace

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PC 1.1 PLAN WORK

QUESTION 13 Problems or challenges at the site. For Communication

example, shift times, movement of people, etc.
You’ve already planned
for site hazards.
What other things do
you plan for before
using the crane?

How will you get in and out of the site safely? Where will you use the crane?

...CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE

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PC 1.5 PLAN WORK

QUESTION 14 The minimum safe distance rules you must follow can be different for each state/territory.
For example, only some use spotters.
You are using a vehicle
loading crane near A spotter is someone who helps you work closer to powerlines.
uninsulated powerlines. Uninsulated means the powerlines have no cover. If you touch them you could be hurt or killed.
Working near powerlines
is very dangerous and Most states and territories use Australian Standard AS.
can kill you.
What are the minimum
safe distance rules you
must follow?

Spotter

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PC 1.5 CHAPTER 1 – PLANPLAN WORK
WORK/TASK

Tiger tails
Tiger tails are black and yellow pipes that hang off powerlines. Markers
They are a warning device to make the powerlines easier to see. Markers of different colors such as white and
orange.
Be aware that tiger tails are very different to insulated powerlines.

Tiger tails:
• DO NOT insulate wires
• DO NOT protect you from the risk of
electrocution or electric shock
• DO NOT allow you to work closer
to powerlines Poles
Poles with the lower section painted up to 3m
above ground.

Power line marker

Warning / danger signs

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PC 1.6 PLAN WORK

QUESTION 19
How can you warn, control
and protect other people or
workers on site? Flashing yellow Hoarding, gantry
hazard lights to or scaffold
warn people
Pedestrian
exclusion zone

Traffic control such

as witches hats

Warning signs Barriers A flag person to

(safety fences) control the traffic
to protect people

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PC 1.6 PLAN WORK

QUESTION 20
Scaffolding
What hazard controls or a gantry
can you use for people,
vehicles or plant on the
job?
Traffic control such Flashing yellow
as barricades hazard lights to
warn people

EXCLUSION
ZONE

Warning signs A flag person to

control the traffic

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PC 1.5 PLAN WORK

QUESTION 23 Hazard: b) You could be struck Control:

a) You could get trapped by the boom or load. Watch the boom, look out
You are retracting/folding a
in the boom. for other people. Set up an
staged boom on a vehicle
exclusion zone and stay out
loading crane.
of the area.
What is the hazard, and
how can you control it?

QUESTION 24 Before starting work. If you spot a hazard after you have started
the job.
When is the right time to set
up hazard (risk) controls?

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PC 1.5, 1.6 PLAN WORK

QUESTION 25
What is the hazard when
releasing a heavy load
from a crane hook?
When you release a load, the boom could spring upwards
quickly and hit something. Make sure there is nothing
above the boom and release the load slowly.

QUESTION 26 Do you need permits for traffic control? Are there any special rules you must follow?
Are exclusion zones needed?
You are about to set up a
crane in a busy street.
Name two (2) things you
need to check?

Are there any underground services?

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PC 1.5, 1.3
QUESTION 28
You need to work closer
to powerlines than the
minimum safe distance.
What do you need to do?
QUESTION 29
Whose job is it to find out
the weight of the load that
the crane is going to lift?
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PLAN WORK
• Get permission from the relevant authority
• Get power disconnected by the relevant authority
• Get the lines insulated by the relevant authority
• Use a spotter (check legislation for your state
or territory).
Spotter
A vehicle loading crane operator with
a High Risk Work licence or a dogman
who holds a High Risk Work licence.
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PC 1.3 PLAN WORK

QUESTION 30 Yes. The crane operator has the responsibility

of estimating the weight of the load.
As the crane operator,
If a dogman is used to sling the load the crane
should you play a part in
operator must give information about the
working out the weight of
cranes capacity to lift the load to the dogman.
the load?

Checking the weighbridge Weighing the load

QUESTION 31 note, consignment note,
What are some ways you or other information
can find out the weight of
a load?

Calculating the weight of the load and pallet. Reading the weight
For example: 5 0 kg × 6 + 20 = 320 kg on the load
50 kg 50 kg 50 kg

50 kg 50 kg 50 kg
20 kg

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