This Overhead Gantry Crane & Sling Selection SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) gives your team a clear method for pre-use checks and safe operation of fixed or travelling overhead gantry cranes, and for selecting and using chain, wire rope and flat webbing slings. It covers checking the hook, limit switches and slings, working out sling capacity for the hitch and angle, trial lifts, exclusion zones, taglines, communication with the dogger and landing loads under control. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Steel fabricators and engineering workshops
Manufacturers and factories
Precast concrete and building product yards
Mechanical repair and maintenance workshops
Warehouses handling heavy stock
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
Crush or struck-by injuries from suspended, swinging or falling loads
Sling failure from the wrong sling type, capacity or configuration
Overloading the crane or lifting gear
Being caught between the load and structures, plant or racking
Electric shock or burns from damaged controls or festoon cabling
Falls when attaching or detaching slings at height
Dropped or shifted loads from poor sling angles, choking or unbalanced loads
Uncontrolled lowering or free-fall from hoist brake or limit switch failure
Noise from crane travel, hoist motors and warning devices
What's included
8 pre-operational checks, from licences and the crane structure to the hoist brake, limit switches, hook latch, slings, controls and a clear lift area
A 13-step operating procedure covering load assessment, sling selection, sling angles and choke hitches, taglines, trial lifts, exclusion zones and landing the load
Isolation and energy control for locking out and tagging the crane at the main isolator before maintenance or clearing a jam
5 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for unstable loads, failing slings, crane malfunctions and fallen loads
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 Manufacturing & Industrial SOP Bundle and Ultimate Steel & Metal Fabrication SOP Bundle. Each bundle is $197, which works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Does it cover sling selection?
Yes. It covers choosing chain, wire rope and flat synthetic webbing slings to suit the load, checking the working load limit for the hitch and angle, and using the lower rated capacity for choke hitches.
Does it include licence requirements?
Yes. Any lift directed by a dogger while the load is out of the crane operator's view must only be carried out by a person holding the appropriate high risk work licence.
Does it cover manual or team lifting?
No. Manual and team lifting are covered by the Manual Handling and Team Lifting SOP.
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.
