THE CRANE Industry Council of Australia (CICA) has launched its Mobile Cranes Assessment Programme in the state of Victoria.
Launched under the name of CraneSafe, a panel has appointed assessors to inspect a class or number of classes of crane. Current categories are rough terrain crane, lattice boom truck crane, lattice boom crawler crane, hydraulic truck crane, articulated mobile crane and all terrain crane.
The initiative has the support of the crane hirers association, the state health and safety authority (WorkSafe Victoria), the CFMEU union and major contractors.
Subject to inspection and payment of a fee, CraneSafe issues a certificate which can be displayed on the crane. It is expected that contractors wary of their health and safety responsibilities will give preference to cranes with certificates. Inspections are subject to audit by WorkSafe Victoria inspectors. Western Australia followed Victoria into the programme in March, and New South Wales and Queensland will follow shortly.
