This Crane Lift Planning & Dogging SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) covers the pre-lift planning, slinging and signalling duties a licensed dogger carries out for a crane lift. It covers checking the load chart, selecting and inspecting rigging gear, setting up the exclusion and fall zone, agreeing signals with the crane operator, using taglines, monitoring wind and landing loads safely. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Crane hire businesses
Commercial and multi-storey builders
Steel erectors and fabricators
Precast concrete installers
Civil and infrastructure contractors
Use it to
Train and induct workers in exactly how you expect the task to be done
Keep a clear reference at the machine, in the vehicle or on site
Record competency with the built-in sign-off
Show clients, insurers and auditors your safe work methods are written down
What this SOP covers
Being struck or crushed by a suspended or swinging load
Dropped loads from wrong slings, damaged gear or exceeding the safe working load
Being struck by the crane, hook block, boom or counterweight
Hand and finger injury when connecting or removing slings
Uncontrolled load swing from wind, imbalance or sudden crane movement
Contact with overhead powerlines
Miscommunication between the dogger and crane operator
Manual handling of slings, chains and shackles
Tagline recoil and rigging falling from height
Slips and trips on uneven ground and rigging gear
What's included
9 pre-operational checks, from dogging and crane operator licences to the lift plan, load chart, rigging inspection and wind conditions
A 12-step lift procedure covering rigging selection, exclusion and fall zones, taglines, signals, out-of-view loads and landing
Load control in place of plant isolation, covering static hook confirmation, landing on dunnage and securing the crane before approach
6 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for uncontrolled loads, rigging failure and crane instability or overload alarms
PPE checklist and a list of related documents
Competency acknowledgement and worker sign-off
Space for your logo, SOP number, version and review dates
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing an SOP from a blank page
Written as clear, numbered steps that workers can follow on the job
Fully editable, so you can match it to your equipment, site and how your team works
The competency sign-off gives you a training record from day one
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, company name, SOP number and dates.
Check it suits your equipment and site, and edit anything you need to.
Train your workers and have them sign the competency acknowledgement.
Need more than one SOP?
This SOP is also included in the Ultimate Building & Construction SOP Bundle. At $197 for the whole bundle, it works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Does it include licence requirements?
Yes. Doggers confirm they hold a current dogging high risk work licence, or an appropriate rigging licence where rigging beyond basic slinging is involved, and check the crane operator holds the correct licence class.
Does it cover operating the crane?
No. Crane operation, set-up, maintenance and inspection are covered by your crane-specific plant procedure. Complex or non-standard lifts need a separate lift study.
Do I still need a SWMS?
Where the lift is part of high risk construction work, yes. This SOP sets out the dogger's tasks, and the site-specific lift plan and SWMS sit alongside it.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any step, check or hazard, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
