Vehicle Loading Crane Campaign from Workers' Perspective
As a worker in the vehicle loading crane (VLC) industry, it's essential to understand the risks associated with VLCs mounted on vehicles for loading and unloading purposes.
Over the years, WorCover Queensland, in collaboration with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), has conducted campaigns to ensure VLC owners and operators comply with work health and safety and road safety requirements. The primary focus is on preventing the unintentional extension of stabilizers and outriggers during travel, which has led to fatalities, serious injuries, and property damage on public roads.
Inspectors from WorCover Queensland and DTMR actively participated in this ongoing campaign. Their role included conducting on-road inspections and assessments of VLC-related work systems. Enforcement actions, such as issuing compliance notices and, in some cases, prohibiting the use of VLCs until suitable risk controls were implemented, were taken to address unmanaged VLC risks.
Throughout the campaign, 1,054 VLCs were intercepted and assessed, representing about one in ten of the estimated 10,000 VLCs operating on Queensland roads. A total of 489 enforcement actions were taken against VLC operators and Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) with non-compliant VLCs.
This report sheds light on the key issues identified for VLCs and the enforcement actions and notices issued during the campaign, aiming to enhance safety measures within the VLC industry.
Key findings:
Defects/non-compliant issue | Total |
|---|---|
VLCs without a secondary lock | 185 |
Operators not competent to operate stabilisers | 80 |
VLCs with damaged locks | 270 |
Stabilisers not secured | 38 |
Locking devices not effective | 73 |
Alarms not fitted, or fitted but not working | 34 |
WHSQ follow-ups after first assessment | 438 |
Results and enforcement actions:
- 489 enforcements actions were taken against VLC operators and PCBUs
- 288 improvement notices were issued for unsafe stabiliser locking devices
- 40 prohibition notices were issued for VLCs with stabilisers unable to be secured due to defective locks
- 161 defect notices were issued by DTMR for non-compliant VLC stabilisers.
Ensuring the Safety of Your Vehicle Loading Crane
To guarantee the safety of your vehicle loading crane, follow these guidelines:
- Equip each stabilizer with two separate locking devices (primary and secondary), with at least one being automatic (e.g., a spring-operated cam lock and an automatic spring latch).
- Ensure all locking devices are in working order without any faults.
- Install a secondary lock if your VLC is equipped only with a primary lock.
- Regularly maintain stabilizers to ensure proper functionality.
- Allow only competent individuals to operate the crane truck.
- If your crane is equipped, verify that alarms and visual devices are operational.
- It is highly recommended to have both visual and audible alarms in the cabin for enhanced safety.
Resources
Further information on the safe use of vehicle loading cranes can be found in the:
- Vehicle loading crane stabiliser safety(Video)
- Vehicle loading cranes workshop 2019(Webinar)
- Mobile Crane Code of Practice 2006 (PDF, 1.34 MB)
- Vehicle loading cranes self-assessment tool (PDF, 0.25 MB)
- Australian Standard, AS 2550.11: Cranes, hoists and winches - safe use Part 11: Vehicle-loading cranes.