UNIT TITLE / Licence to operate a tower crane
APPLICATION / The unit specifies the outcomes required to operate a tower crane safely.
Tower crane means a boom crane or a jib crane mounted on a tower structure and
a) the crane, if a jib crane, may be a horizontal or luffing jib type, and
b) the tower structure may be demountable or permanent.
Self-erecting tower cranes are not included in this unit of competency.
This unit requires a person operating a tower crane to plan the task, select and prepare equipment, safely transfer the load, and safely shut down and secure the equipment after completing the operations.
Tower crane work is undertaken in a range of industries.
A person performing this work is required to hold a current Tower Crane High Risk Work Licence.
This unit is based on the licensing requirements of the Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations Part 4.5 High Risk Work and meets Commonwealth, state and territory high risk work licensing requirements.
PREREQUISITE UNIT / NIL
COMPETENCY FIELD / Licensing
UNIT SECTOR / Not applicable
ELEMENTS
Elements describe actions or outcomes that are demonstrable and assessable. / PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
Where bold italicised text is used, further information is provided in the Range of Conditions.
1. / Plan tower crane task. / 1.1. / Tower crane task to be undertaken is reviewed and workplace-specific information relating to the task is obtained, including geo-technical information on ground condition.
1.2. / Hazards associated with the workplace and the tower crane task are identified.
1.3. / Risk control measures and equipment are identified in accordance with workplace-specific information and the hierarchy of control.
1.4. / Load weight is determined in consultation with associated personnel.
1.5. / Load weight and lift are confirmed to be within the capacity of the tower crane.
1.6. / Paths for load movement are determined and inspected.
1.7. / Communication methods are established with associated personnel.
2. / Select and prepare tower crane equipment. / 2.1. / Tower crane is accessed in a safe manner.
2.2 / Safety equipment is selected and inspected, and personal protection equipment (PPE) is selected and fitted in accordance with workplace requirements
2.2. / Signs and labels are checked for visibility and legibility.
2.3. / Tower crane is inspected for damage and defects.
2.4. / Tower crane safety devices are tested in accordance with workplace requirements.
2.5. / Pre-operational tower crane checks, including checking the crane logbook and controls, are carried out in accordance with workplace requirements.
2.6. / Communication equipment is checked for serviceability.
2.7. / Tower crane is started in accordance with workplace requirements and checked for abnormal noises.
2.8. / Post-start operational checks are carried out in accordance with workplace requirements.
2.9 / Defective equipment is isolated, reported and recorded in accordance with workplace requirements.
3. / Transfer load. / 3.1. / Workplace-specific information is communicated to associated personnel.
3.2. / Identified risk control measures and equipment are implemented in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and workplace requirements.
3.3. / Boom or jib and hoist block is positioned over load following directions from associated personnel.
3.4. / Test lift is carried out in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and workplace requirements to allow for checks and adjustments to slinging to be safely made by associated personnel.
3.5. / Tower crane is operated to transfer loads using crane movements in accordance with workplace requirements.
3.6. / Communication signals are used and interpreted in accordance with workplace requirements.
3.7. / Load movement is continually monitored to ensure safety of workplace personnel and to maintain load stability.
3.8. / Unplanned and unsafe situations are responded to in accordance with workplace requirements.
4. / Shut down and secure crane. / 4.1. / Tower crane is placed in weather vane mode and shut down in accordance with workplace requirements.
4.2. / Hoist, luffing, trolley and travel brakes are applied in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and workplace requirements.
4.3. / Tower crane and equipment are secured in accordance with workplace requirements.
4.4. / Routine post-operational checks on tower crane are carried out in accordance with workplace requirements.
4.5. / Damage and defects are reported and recorded in accordance with workplace requirements.
FOUNDATION SKILLS
The language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance that are not explicit in the unit are listed below.
Skill / Performance feature
Numeracy skills to: / · interpret numerical information including:
o load weight assessment to ensure compliance with tower crane loads charts
o determine weight of loads
o maximum rating capacity charts
· control and monitor instrument readings.
Reading skills to: / · interpret documents that include technical specificity including:
o equipment manuals and manufacturers’ specifications
o workplace procedures, including emergency plan
o safe work method statements (SWMS)
· interpret workplace signs and labels
Writing skills to: / · accurately record and maintain information relating to tower crane operations, including checking equipment and maintenance and incident reports
Communication skills to: / · use and interpret vocabulary specific to tower crane operations and workplace procedures at a level sufficient to communicate with other workplace personnel
· communicate effectively with workplace personnel, including using:
o verbal language
o questioning to confirm understanding
o written instructions
o listening
o hand signals
o whistle signals
o two-way radios
Self-management skills to: / · implement risk control measures
· follow emergency plans
RANGE OF CONDITIONS
Specifies different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and local industry contexts) are included.
Workplace-specific information relates to the characteristics of a particular workplace and must include safe work method statements (SWMS) and at least one of the following: / · local conditions including access and egress
· permits and certifications
· task plans and schedule and structural plans
Hazards must include: / · ground instability
· overhead hazards
· lighting
· traffic
· weather
· pedestrian traffic
· work required at heights
Risk control measures and equipment must include at least one of the following: / · safety observer inside exclusion zone
· traffic barricades and controls
· pedestrian controls
· trench covers
· movement of obstructions
· personal protective equipment
· adequate illumination
Associated personnel must include at least one of the following: / · other crane operators
· supervisors
· colleagues
Personal protective equipment (PPE) must include: / · hard hat
· safety boots
· gloves
· high-visibility clothing
· breathing, hearing, sight, skin and sun protection
Workplace requirements relates to information types that relate to all industry workplaces, incorporate legislative requirements, and must include at least one of the following: / · policies
· procedures
· manufacturers’ specifications
· reporting forms
Signs and labels must include: / · crane data plates and labels
· load charts
· crane decals
· operational control lever labels
Tower crane safety devices must include: / · audible and visual devices
· lights
· motion limits
· overload limits
· anti-collision devices
Controls must include: / · luffing levers
· hoisting and lowering levers
· slewing levers including brake
· trolleying levers
· slew and boom brake and locks
· foot pedals
· emergency stop control
· engine speed control
Communication equipment must include: / · whistles
· two-way radios
Crane movements must include: / · luffing
· slewing
· hoisting and lowering loads
· trolleying
Communication signals must include: / · 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 unsafe situations must include: / · failure or loss of control
· failure of equipment
· environmental conditions
Shut down must include: / · raise boom or jib to clear buildings
· block trolleying hoist to park position
· retract hoist rope and hook block
· idle engine to stabilise temperature
· place in weather vane mode
· turn off engine
· remove key from ignition
· lock and secure cabin
· lock and secure platform access hatch
UNIT MAPPING INFORMATION / CPCCLTC4001A Licence to operate a tower crane.
LINKS / Hyperlink to Companion Volume Implementation Guide
Assessment Requirements
UNIT CODE / CPCCLTC4001UNIT TITLE / Licence to operate a tower crane
PERFORMANCE EVIDENCE / A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must satisfying all the requirements of the unit of competency elements and associated performance criteria, foundation skills and range of conditions and provide evidence of:
· safely operating a tower crane while moving a minimum of four loads of different shapes, sizes and weights in conjunction with associated personnel.
KNOWLEDGE EVIDENCE / Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge and understanding of:
· Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation, standards and codes of practice relevant to the full range of processes for the crane class
· requirements for hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control applicable to tower cranes
· hazards and risk control measures commonly encountered in tower crane operations
· the systematic process of eliminating and reducing risk to health and safety through the application of the hierarchy of control to positioning and safe operation of the tower crane
· risks associated with overhead powerlines, electrical cables and wind hazards
· personal protective equipment (PPE) applicable to operating a tower crane
· safety equipment applicable to operating a tower crane
· workplace policies, procedures and practices applicable to operating tower cranes including:
o lifting and moving of loads to the safe working rated capacity in conjunction with associated personnel
o the selection and inspection of lifting equipment
o recording, reporting and maintenance of workplace records and information
· mathematical processes for estimating weight of loads
· tower crane operating techniques
· tower crane characteristics and capabilities to allow the operation of the crane to suit the range of loads
· rated capacity and working load limits
· use and interpretation of crane manufacturers’ specifications, including load charts to enable the crane to be configured for the load
· common tower crane defects and responses, including adjustments required for correction
· processes to prevent interference to and from other radio equipment being used near a tower crane
· workplace communication techniques in the workplace including whistles, hand signals and use of two-way radios
· methods of loading of data into tower crane computer and checking of operation to accurately reflect the tower crane configuration
· verifying problems and equipment faults and demonstrating appropriate response procedures
· processes for conducting test lifts on a tower crane and for taking corrective action
ASSESSMENT CONDITIONS / Assessments must be conducted by an assessor accredited for the Tower Crane High Risk Work Licence class in the Commonwealth/state/territory where the licence will be obtained (i.e. an assessor authorised by a Commonwealth/state/territory WHS/OHS regulator).
Assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements which must include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed.
Assessment of performance must be undertaken in the workplace or under realistic workplace conditions which reflect:
· the use of full-scale, industry-standard equipment
· performing tasks within timelines expected in a workplace
· standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.
Assessment of this unit of competency must include the use of the National Assessment Instruments (NAI) issued by Safe Work Australia. These instruments include the requirement for assessments to be conducted in the English language.
Simulators must not be used in the assessment of this unit of competency.
Assessment must include access to:
· associated personnel
· a tower crane in a safe condition
· associated equipment appropriate to operating a tower crane
· four loads of varying shapes, sizes and weights
· personal protective equipment (PPE)
· workplace information applicable to operating tower cranes, including:
o equipment and maintenance checklists
o record system where service and maintenance history is kept
o incident reports
o workplace procedures, including emergency plans
o equipment manuals and manufacturers’ specifications
· risk control measures and equipment.
LINKS / Hyperlink to Companion Volume Implementation Guide
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