Mobile Crane Industry NHVR Code of Practice

The National Heavy Vehicles Registry (the “NHVR”) released an Industry Code of Practice for the mobile crane industry in August 2024. The Mobile Cranes Code of Practice (CoP) began development after the industry highlighted the need for one.

The Code was produced through consultation with and feedback from selected industry members alongside the government. Following this initial process with specific industry members, the NHVR produced a draft Code of Practice which was then published for public consultation. At the end of the public consultation process, the document was assessed by a panel of industry experts and approved. It was subsequently published on the NHVR’s website on the Registered Industry Codes of Practice page.

The NHVR is a centralised government authority whose goal is to administer a single set of laws with regard to heavy vehicles and their operation.

As a regulator, the NHVR covers vehicles over 4.5 tonnes including:

• Semi-trailers.
• Road trains.
• Passenger buses,
• Agricultural vehicles, and of course;
• Mobile Cranes and other special vehicles.

The set of laws administered by the NHVR is known as the Heavy Vehicles National Law (HVNL). They cover all states and territories other than Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Each state has passed legislation which either adopts or duplicates the HVNL, though typically with some slight modifications. View the NSW heavy vehicles legislation here.

The HVNL imposes a “Primary Duty” to eliminate or minimise risk to the public.

The HVNL imposes this “Primary Duty” upon all parties in the Chain of Responsibility (CoR). These parties are not only the crane operators and crew members but other businesses or individuals as well. They include us at DPS Cranes who operate the machinery, to the Southern Highlands businesses that hire our cranes and operators. Additionally, if a crane is loading or unloading a heavy vehicle there will be further parties that fall within the Chain.

The Primary Duty is to eliminate risk to the public where possible, or minimise risk at the very least. This risk refers to both members of the public as well as property. It is the responsibility of all parties to identify relevant hazards and risks and take measures eliminate or minimise them.

Whilst the HVNL imposes a “Primary Duty” upon parties in the CoR, it doesn’t specify exactly how to do this. As such, the purpose of the Mobile Crane Industry Code of Practice is to provide this guidance to industry parties. The CoP offers consistent and authoritative information about the safe operation of mobile cranes. It is designed to alert operators to typical risks and hazards and make recommendations on how to manage those risks. The Code is not exhaustive, however.

DPS Cranes uses the industry CoP as a basis for all its operations. In addition to this, though, we always produce our own Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS). As all worksites are different there may be unique hazards or risks not outlined in the CoP. Our SWMS identifies these additional risks and hazards that may not be covered by the Code of Practice.

In the end, the Code helps all parties meet their duty obligations and reduce legal liability should anything unexpected happen.

Whether a construction site, an accident scene, a rail corridor, private property or public space, workplace safety is a priority. DPS Cranes maintains up-to-date compliance documentation for our mobile crane fleet. Please feel free to contact us to request relevant documentation from us for your own due diligence for upcoming projects.