NHVR approves new Mobile Crane Industry Code of Practice to enhance safety measures

NHVR Approves New Mobile Crane Industry Code of Practice to Enhance Safety Measures

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has officially approved the Mobile Crane Industry Code of Practice after thorough discussions with stakeholders to help industry recognise dangers and minimise risks. This new code strengthens safety management for operators handling heavy vehicle lifting equipment across construction and infrastructure sites.

The NHVR, in collaboration with the Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA), has created a useful guide to help Chain of Responsibility (CoR) parties meet their Primary Duty obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). Businesses seeking a broader compliance framework may also review our Crane Hire Integrated Industry Suite for practical management tools.

Why This Code Matters for Heavy Vehicle Operators

NHVR Chief Safety and Productivity Officer David Hourigan explained that codes aim to inform operators about potential hazards and provide guidance on managing those risks, rather than being comprehensive documents covering every scenario.

“Mobile cranes play a crucial role in the completion of construction and infrastructure projects across the country, but we also know there are unique hazards and risks associated with mobile cranes compared with other types of heavy vehicles,” Mr Hourigan said.

Cranes used in lifting operations present distinct risk profiles compared to standard heavy vehicle fleets, which is why targeted guidance under this code supports better hazard management on site.

Primary Duty Obligations Under the HVNL

Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), parties involved in the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) are obligated to guarantee safety of heavy vehicle transport operations they manage or affect, in accordance with their Primary Duty responsibilities.

Primary duty extends to every stage of a lifting task, from planning through equipment maintenance, meaning management systems must reflect national standards consistently across all sites.

• Heavy vehicle operators must integrate crane-specific risk management into existing work health frameworks.
• CoR parties should review current management practices against national codes for compliance gaps.
• Lifting operations require documented management processes covering equipment inspection and operator competency.

Supporting Compliance and Work Health Outcomes

Effective management of mobile crane operations reduces incidents linked to unsafe lifting practices, benefiting both work health outcomes and overall project delivery timelines.

For businesses managing crane fleets, pairing this code with structured Mobile Crane SWMS documentation strengthens day-to-day compliance and supports consistent management practices during lifting work.

Those seeking a wider OHS-WHS management package can explore our Crane Hire OHS-WHS Industry Suite, designed to complement national code requirements with practical, site-ready documentation.

Additional information is available here.