New Code of Practice for tower cranes approved in the Northern Territory

New Code of Practice for Tower Cranes Approved in the Northern Territory

Northern Territory WorkSafe has published a new Code of Practice under the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011, giving duty holders a fresh reference point for managing risks associated with tower cranes.

The Tower Cranes Code of Practice provides practical guidance to duty holders on managing risks of tower cranes in the workplace, covering plant management, procedures for safe operation, and ongoing OHS obligations across construction sites.

Why This Code Matters for Industry Safety

Tower cranes present unique hazards, and consistent risk management practices help protect workers on site. This approved Code of Practice strengthens safety outcomes by outlining clear procedures for erecting, operating, and dismantling tower cranes.

For technical professionals in construction and heavy industry, this update reinforces the importance of proactive safety management rather than reactive compliance. Effective management of tower crane risks depends on having current, practical guidance that reflects real-world site conditions.

Additional Codes of Practice Varied

“In addition, eleven Codes of Practice have also been varied to reflect technical updates made at the national level and improve duty holders’ understanding of their work health and safety duties,” NT WorkSafe said.

These variations support broader OHS management across the Northern Territory, ensuring industry codes stay aligned with national safety standards. Businesses should review how these changes affect existing safety management systems and update internal procedures accordingly.

Key Safety Management Considerations

Organisations working with tower cranes should consider the following when updating their safety management approach:

• Reviewing current risk management procedures against the new Code of Practice
• Ensuring plant management practices align with updated OHS obligations
• Training workers on revised procedures for tower crane operation
• Consulting NT WorkSafe guidance for industry-specific safety requirements

For related updates, see our coverage of the Northern Territory’s approval of new Codes of Practice, which outlines the broader regulatory news affecting duty holders across multiple sectors.

Supporting Safe Plant Management

Tower cranes fall under the wider umbrella of plant management obligations. Businesses managing complex plant should also review the Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice update to ensure consistent safety management across all equipment types, not just tower cranes.

Keeping procedures current across plant, electrical, and airborne contaminant risks is essential for holistic safety management. For example, our news on the proposed electricity Code of Practice for WA workplaces highlights how jurisdictions continue refining safety requirements industry-wide.

Where to Access the Code

The new Code of Practice for tower cranes is accessible here, via NT WorkSafe’s official website.

Staying Informed on Industry Safety News

Regulatory bodies frequently update Codes of Practice, so subscribing to reliable safety news sources helps duty holders stay compliant. SafetyDocs covers ongoing OHS management news relevant to construction, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors.

Businesses operating internationally should also review the HSW Approved Codes of Practice Register for New Zealand, or explore our full range of safety documents for New Zealand businesses to support cross-border compliance efforts.

For teams managing silica exposure risks alongside plant and crane operations, our summary of the Silica Dust Code of Practice update offers additional context on evolving safety obligations.

Practical Tools to Support Compliance

Alongside reviewing new codes, many organisations rely on digital tools to streamline safety management on-site. Our Job Safety Analysis (JSA) digital template helps teams document risk assessments and procedures for high-risk tasks, including tower crane operations, directly from mobile devices.

Combining updated codes with practical, digital-first safety management tools gives industry teams a stronger foundation for reducing incidents and meeting evolving OHS expectations.