Safe Work Australia releases new Model Code of Practice for tower cranes

Safe Work Australia has published a new Model Code of Practice for managing health and safety risks of tower cranes in workplaces. This practical tower crane WHS guidance sets out clear expectations for businesses operating in construction and related industries where tower cranes are used.

Some of the risks associated with crane operations include contact with machinery or overhead powerlines, falls from height, collapse and fatigue. These hazards place tower cranes among the higher-risk equipment categories on many construction sites, alongside other high-risk plant such as elevating work platforms.

What Does the Model Code of Practice Cover?

Safe Work Australia said the Model Code of Practice "provides practical guidance to PCBUs and other duty holders on managing the work health and safety risks of working with tower cranes." Persons conducting a business or undertaking involved in erecting, operating or dismantling tower cranes will find this guide directly relevant to daily operations.

The document joins the broader suite of model codes of practice already covering high-risk activities across Australian workplaces. Tower cranes have their own model code because their scale, height and mobile components introduce risks that differ from smaller mobile plant or fixed machinery.

Key Risk Areas Addressed

• Contact with overhead powerlines and other machinery
• Falls from height during erection, climbing or dismantling
• Structural collapse from inadequate foundations or overloading
• Operator fatigue affecting concentration and decision-making

Businesses using tower cranes should treat this guide as a foundation for reviewing existing risk management practices. Managing health and safety risks effectively means integrating this guidance into site-specific procedures, training programs and equipment inspection schedules.

Why This Guidance Matters for Safety Professionals

Health and safety outcomes on construction sites depend heavily on how well duty holders translate model codes into practical action. Tower crane operations sit within a wider category of high risk work that already demands documented procedures, competency verification and ongoing monitoring.

Safety professionals should note that this guide complements, rather than replaces, other risk management resources already in use. Businesses managing complex plant should also review related resources such as rigging safe work procedures, which cover load handling tasks closely linked to crane operations.

Construction firms working across multiple risk categories may benefit from comparing this release against Safe Work Australia's earlier guidance, including the model Code of Practice addressing silica dust risks and the Silica Dust Code of Practice update, both of which reflect a similar approach to translating hazard information into actionable duty holder guidance.

Accessing the New Model Code of Practice

The new Model Code of Practice for tower cranes is available here. Businesses should download the document directly from Safe Work Australia to ensure they are referencing the official, current version.

Organisations preparing documentation for high risk activities involving cranes, rigging or other mobile plant should also consult existing Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) to ensure task-specific risks are captured alongside the broader guidance provided in the new code.

Safe Work Australia continues to expand its consultation process with industry stakeholders when developing model codes, and this tower crane guide reflects feedback gathered from businesses, unions and safety experts across the construction sector.