Safe Work Australia seeking public comments on earthmoving machinery

Safe Work Australia is seeking public comments on earthmoving machinery

The federal workplace health and safety regulator is seeking input on how to enhance the safety of earthmoving equipment used for lifting tasks. A discussion paper now open for comment sets out reform options covering how such plant is designed, selected and controlled, along with the procedures crews follow before a suspended load leaves the ground.

Key points at a glance

• Under review: the safe use of earthmoving equipment pressed into service for lifting.
• Where to comment: the discussion paper sits on the regulator’s Consultation Hub.
• Who should respond: designers, importers, hire companies, principal contractors, dogging and rigging workers, plus safety advisers.
• Why it matters: reform could reshape compliance obligations and documented procedures for mixed-use plant.

What the national regulator is consulting on

“We are seeking your views on the potential reform options outlined in our discussion paper, available on the Consultation Hub,” Safe Work Australia stated.

“These options may evolve based on evidence, policy analysis and consultation feedback. Any regulatory changes will require agreement by Safe Work Australia Members and, where significant changes are proposed, approval by WHS ministers.”

Much of the debate centres on machinery engineered to dig, push or carry that routinely ends up slinging loads from a quick hitch or lifting lug. Where equipment crosses into crane-like territory, questions arise about rated capacity charts, load moment indicators and the licences held by personnel directing each lift.

Why earthmoving plant used for lifting is under review

Mixed-use machinery sits in a grey zone. A single unit might excavate before breakfast and place precast panels after lunch, so safe lifting operations hinge on attachments, ground conditions and crew judgement rather than one fixed set of controls. Reform options canvassed in the paper aim to close that gap, giving equipment used to hoist loads consistent safeguards whichever badge sits on the door.

The safety agency is further encouraging contributions from those involved in various high-risk jobs pertaining to lifting operations, including dogging and rigging work.

Who should have their say

SafeWork Australia is urging every party with a stake in safer hoisting practices to lodge a submission. Submissions are open to the public, and the regulator wants practical detail from people who plan lifts, maintain equipment and sign off paperwork.

• Designers, manufacturers and importers of earthmoving plant
• Hire fleets and dealerships supplying equipment to construction sites
• Principal contractors and supervisors accountable for lifting procedures
• Dogging, rigging and crane crews working alongside mobile equipment
• Safety advisers, auditors and consultants who assess compliance on site
• Unions, industry associations and insurers with an interest in plant safety

What reform could mean for your documentation

Whatever shape the final settings take, written systems stay central. Businesses that already match their equipment selection to documented procedures — and keep records current — tend to absorb regulatory change with far less disruption.

Our team maintains a library of ready-to-edit documentation for earthmoving and mobile equipment, including Earthmoving & Mobile Plant SWMS templates and the Earthmoving SWMS Value Pack. Teams handling slung loads can also draw on a Rigging Safe Work Procedure to align field practice with written controls.

Unsure how a method statement differs from a safe operating sheet? Our guide to Safe Work Method Statements explains how each record supports high-risk activities, and where equipment-specific procedures fit inside a broader safety management system.

How this review fits a wider reform program

Reviews of this kind have become a regular feature of national policy work. Recent examples include proposed crane licensing changes, an asbestos framework review, and an evaluation of the engineered stone ban.

Every round shapes the model laws that states and territories adopt, and influences how machinery is expected to align with relevant Australian Standards.

Practical steps to take now

• List each machine in your fleet that lifts loads, then note which equipment carries a rated capacity chart.
• Check attachment approvals, lugs and quick hitches against manufacturer instructions for that equipment.
• Review lift planning procedures and confirm who holds a current high risk work licence.
• Record real-world gaps between written controls and daily earthmoving activity.
• Send those examples to the regulator so reform options reflect site reality, not theory.

Frequently asked questions

Which machines does the review cover?

Earthmoving plant pressed into hoisting service — loaders, telehandlers, skid steers and similar equipment — sits at the centre of the discussion paper.

Do current rules still apply during the review?

Yes. Model laws place clear obligations on anyone who supplies, controls or uses lifting equipment, and nothing pauses existing rules while views are gathered.

How do we prepare a strong submission?

Point to evidence: incident histories, near misses, inspection findings and the cost of retrofitting older equipment. Concrete detail carries more weight than general opinion.

Find out more via the national regulator’s website. Safer hoisting begins with matching equipment to the task, then backing that choice with documentation your crews genuinely use.