The purpose of this code of practice is to give practical advice about how to manage risks associated with mobile cranes, vehicle-loading cranes and other mobile plant used as a mobile crane to raise or lower a freely suspended load.

For the purpose of this code:

A mobile crane means a machine that:

(a) is used primarily for raising or lowering a freely suspended load;
(b) is capable of travelling over a supporting surface without the need for fixed runways (including railway tracks); and
(c) relies only on gravity for stability, with no vertical restraining connection between itself and the supporting surface, and no horizontal restraining connection (other than frictional forces at supporting-surface level) that may act as an aid to stability.

A vehicle-loading crane means a crane mounted on a vehicle or trailer to load and unload that vehicle or trailer, and which may be used for other lifting purposes within its rated capacity in accordance with the crane manufacturer’s instructions.

Other mobile plant means a machine that is primarily used for activities other than raising or lowering a freely suspended load, and includes a backhoe, excavator, front-end loader and telescopic handler.

This code of practice provides practical advice about how to manage the risk of injury, illness or death to persons from:

(a) operating
(b) working with
(c) working near
(d) erecting
(e) climbing
(f) dismantling
(g) inspecting
(h) testing
(i) maintaining
(j) repairing
(k) being in an area adjacent to a mobile crane, including a public area.

This Mobile crane Code of Practice 2006 is an approved code of practice under section 274 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the WHS Act).