Regulation 4.1 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations defines a bridge crane as:
'A crane comprising a bridge beam mounted at each end to an end carriage, capable of travelling along elevated runways and having one or more hoisting mechanisms arranged to traverse across the bridge.'
Regulation 4.1 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 defines a gantry crane as:
'A crane comprising a bridge beam, supported at each end by legs mounted on end carriages, capable of travelling on supporting surfaces or deck levels, whether fixed or not and which has a crab with one or more hoisting units arranged to travel across the bridge.'
Bridge or gantry cranes not requiring licenced operation
Whilst a High Risk Work Licence is not required to operate these cranes, employers have a duty of care responsibility, under Section 19(1)(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984, to provide systems of work and information, instruction and training to their employees who operate them.
Please note that employers have the above mentioned duty of care responsibility irrespective as to whether or not their bridge and gantry cranes require licenced operation.
Requirement for licensed doggers
A licensed dogger will be required in the use of a bridge or gantry crane where the load is outside the clear view of the crane operator OR when applying slinging techniques for the purposes of lifting a load. Operators of bridge or gantry cranes cannot dog their own load if the situation requires a licensed dogger.
Further information
For further information on the above please contact a member of the Licensing and Business Service Centre, WorkSafe Division of the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety on 1300 307 877.