Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:07 AM AWST
22/07/2026 9:07 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Licence to operate a self-erecting tower crane
Licence to operate a self-erecting tower crane
Unit of competency
National Code
CPCCLTC4002A
CPCCLTC4002A
State Code
W9433
W9433
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
20/06/2014
Field of Education
040399 - Building, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
20/06/2014
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit specifies the outcomes required to operate a self-erecting tower crane for licensing purposes, and covers the operation of a crane where the tower structure and boom/jib elements are not disassembled into component sections, which can be transported between sites as a complete unit, and where the erection and dismantling processes are an inherent part of the crane's function.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan work.
- 1.1. Potential workplace hazards are identified.
- 1.2. Hazard control measures are identified consistent with appropriate standards to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment.
- 1.3. Weight of the load is identified and estimated in consultation with appropriate personnel.
- 1.4. Crane is appropriate for the load/s and workplace conditions.
- 1.5. The appropriate paths for the movement of loads in the work area are inspected and determined.
- 1.6. Appropriate communication methods are identified with appropriate personnel.
2. Conduct routine checks.
- 2.1. Crane is visually checked for any damage or defects.
- 2.2. Crane is accessed in safe manner (where applicable).
- 2.3. All signage and labels are visible and legible according to the appropriate standard.
- 2.4. Routine pre-operational crane checks are carried out according to procedures.
- 2.5. All controls located and identified.
- 2.6. Crane service logbook is checked for compliance.
- 2.7. Crane is started according to procedures and checked for any abnormal noises.
- 2.8. All crane safety devices are tested according to procedures.
- 2.9. Post start operational checks are carried out according to procedures.
- 2.10. All communication equipment is checked for serviceability
- 2.11. All damage and defects are reported and recorded according to procedures and appropriate action taken.
3. Transfer loads.
- 3.1. Lifts are determined within the capacity of the crane.
- 3.2. Appropriate hazard prevention/control measures are applied to the work area according to procedures in consultation with appropriate personnel.
- 3.3. Boom/jib and hoist block is positioned over load following directions from appropriate personnel.
- 3.4. Test lift is carried out to procedures.
- 3.5. Loads are transferred using all relevant crane movements according to procedures and appropriate standards.
- 3.6. All required communication signals are interpreted correctly according to procedures and the appropriate standard.
- 3.7. Crane is operated according to procedures.
- 3.8. Load movement is monitored constantly to ensure safety of personnel, load and crane stability.
- 3.9. Unplanned and/or unsafe situations are responded to in line with procedures.
4. Shut down and secure crane.
- 4.1. Crane is placed in weather vain mode according to procedures (where applicable).
- 4.2. Relevant motion locks and brakes are applied (where applicable).
- 4.3. Crane and equipment is secured correctly, according to procedures and the appropriate standard.
- 4.4. Crane is shut down according to procedures
- 4.5. Routine post-operational checks on crane are carried out, according to procedures.
- 4.6. All damage and defects are reported and recorded according to procedures and appropriate action taken.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Hazards may include but not limited to:
ground stability (e.g. ground condition or slopes for load placement)
overhead hazards (e.g. power lines, service pipes)
Insufficient lighting
traffic (e.g. pedestrians, vehicles, plant)
environmental conditions (e.g. wind, lightning, storms, etc)
other specific hazards (e.g. dangerous materials).
Hazard control measures:
Refers to the systematic process of eliminating or reducing the risk to personnel and property through the application of controls.
It includes the application of the hierarchy of control, the six-step preference of control measures to manage and control risk:
elimination
substitution
isolation
engineering control measures
using safe work practices
personal protective equipment.
Appropriate standards may include:
codes of practice
legislation
Australian Standards
manufacturer's specifications
industry standards (where applicable).
Appropriate personnel may include but not limited to:
riggers
doggers.
Crane
Self-erecting tower crane covers the operation of a crane where the tower structure and boom/jib elements are not disassembled into component sections, which can be transported between sites as a complete unit, and where the erection and dismantling processes are an inherent part of the crane's function.
Appropriate may include but is not limited to:
crane capabilities
environmental conditions (e.g. wind, lightning, storms, etc).
Communicationmethods may include but are not limited to:
verbal and non-verbal language
written instructions
signage
hand signals
listening
questioning to confirm understanding
appropriate worksite protocol.
Signage and labels may include but not limited to:
crane data plates/labels
load charts
crane decals
control labels.
Procedures may include but are not limited to:
manufacturer's guidelines (instructions, specifications or checklists),
industry operating procedures
workplace procedures (work instructions, operating procedures, checklists).
Controls may include but not limited to:
luffing levers (where applicable)
hoisting and lowering levers
slewing levers including brake
trolley levers (where applicable).
Service logbook may include but is not limited to:
any logbook
service book
history record system where the service and maintenance history is kept.
Crane safety devices may include but not limited to:
audible and visual warning devices
operator restraint devices (where applicable)
lights (where applicable).
Communication equipment may include but not limited to:
two-way radios
whistles
bells
buzzers.
NB: where radio communication equipment is used the transmitting frequencies of the equipment must be selected to prevent interference to or from other radio equipment being used in the vicinity of the crane.
Hazard prevention/control measures may include but are not limited to:
safety tags on electrical switches/isolators
power lines are insulated
safety observer used inside exclusion zone
power disconnected
traffic barricades and control
pedestrian barricades
trench covers
movement of obstructions
personal protective equipment
adequate lighting
suitable site for the crane
counterweights (ballast).
Test lift
The load is lifted just clear of the lifting plane to allow for checks to be safely made in consultation with appropriate personnel to ensure that:
near capacity loads do not overload the crane
loads of unusual shape or weight distribution are correctly slung
load measuring equipment can be used to verify the calculated weight of the load
all crane equipment is functioning properly
adjustments to the slinging can be made in a safe manner.
Relevant crane movements may include but not limited to:
luffing (where applicable)
slewing
trolleying
hoisting and lowering loads.
Communication signals may include but not limited to:
stop - hand
stop - whistle
hoist up - hand
hoist up - whistle
hoist down - hand
hoist down - whistle
luff boom down - hand (where applicable)
luff boom down - whistle (where applicable)
luff boom up - hand (where applicable)
luff boom up - whistle (where applicable)
trolleying out - hand
trolleying out - whistle
trolleying in - hand
trolleying in - whistle
slew left - hand
slew left - whistle
slew right - hand
slew right - whistle.
Unplanned and/or unsafesituations may include but not limited to:
failure/lose of control e.g. slew brake hoist drum
failure of equipment e.g. hydraulic system
environmental conditions (e.g. wind, lightning, storms, etc).
Shut Down may include but not limited to:
boom/jib slewed to clear buildings and structures (where applicable)
trolleying hoist block to park position (where applicable)
weather vain mode
retracting hoist rope&hook block
idle engine to stabilise temperature
turning off engine
isolating power supply (where applicable)
remove key from ignition/control panel
lock and secure cabin (where applicable).
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Hazards may include but not limited to:
ground stability (e.g. ground condition or slopes for load placement)
overhead hazards (e.g. power lines, service pipes)
Insufficient lighting
traffic (e.g. pedestrians, vehicles, plant)
environmental conditions (e.g. wind, lightning, storms, etc)
other specific hazards (e.g. dangerous materials).
Hazard control measures:
Refers to the systematic process of eliminating or reducing the risk to personnel and property through the application of controls.
It includes the application of the hierarchy of control, the six-step preference of control measures to manage and control risk:
elimination
substitution
isolation
engineering control measures
using safe work practices
personal protective equipment.
Appropriate standards may include:
codes of practice
legislation
Australian Standards
manufacturer's specifications
industry standards (where applicable).
Appropriate personnel may include but not limited to:
riggers
doggers.
Crane
Self-erecting tower crane covers the operation of a crane where the tower structure and boom/jib elements are not disassembled into component sections, which can be transported between sites as a complete unit, and where the erection and dismantling processes are an inherent part of the crane's function.
Appropriate may include but is not limited to:
crane capabilities
environmental conditions (e.g. wind, lightning, storms, etc).
Communicationmethods may include but are not limited to:
verbal and non-verbal language
written instructions
signage
hand signals
listening
questioning to confirm understanding
appropriate worksite protocol.
Signage and labels may include but not limited to:
crane data plates/labels
load charts
crane decals
control labels.
Procedures may include but are not limited to:
manufacturer's guidelines (instructions, specifications or checklists),
industry operating procedures
workplace procedures (work instructions, operating procedures, checklists).
Controls may include but not limited to:
luffing levers (where applicable)
hoisting and lowering levers
slewing levers including brake
trolley levers (where applicable).
Service logbook may include but is not limited to:
any logbook
service book
history record system where the service and maintenance history is kept.
Crane safety devices may include but not limited to:
audible and visual warning devices
operator restraint devices (where applicable)
lights (where applicable).
Communication equipment may include but not limited to:
two-way radios
whistles
bells
buzzers.
NB: where radio communication equipment is used the transmitting frequencies of the equipment must be selected to prevent interference to or from other radio equipment being used in the vicinity of the crane.
Hazard prevention/control measures may include but are not limited to:
safety tags on electrical switches/isolators
power lines are insulated
safety observer used inside exclusion zone
power disconnected
traffic barricades and control
pedestrian barricades
trench covers
movement of obstructions
personal protective equipment
adequate lighting
suitable site for the crane
counterweights (ballast).
Test lift
The load is lifted just clear of the lifting plane to allow for checks to be safely made in consultation with appropriate personnel to ensure that:
near capacity loads do not overload the crane
loads of unusual shape or weight distribution are correctly slung
load measuring equipment can be used to verify the calculated weight of the load
all crane equipment is functioning properly
adjustments to the slinging can be made in a safe manner.
Relevant crane movements may include but not limited to:
luffing (where applicable)
slewing
trolleying
hoisting and lowering loads.
Communication signals may include but not limited to:
stop - hand
stop - whistle
hoist up - hand
hoist up - whistle
hoist down - hand
hoist down - whistle
luff boom down - hand (where applicable)
luff boom down - whistle (where applicable)
luff boom up - hand (where applicable)
luff boom up - whistle (where applicable)
trolleying out - hand
trolleying out - whistle
trolleying in - hand
trolleying in - whistle
slew left - hand
slew left - whistle
slew right - hand
slew right - whistle.
Unplanned and/or unsafesituations may include but not limited to:
failure/lose of control e.g. slew brake hoist drum
failure of equipment e.g. hydraulic system
environmental conditions (e.g. wind, lightning, storms, etc).
Shut Down may include but not limited to:
boom/jib slewed to clear buildings and structures (where applicable)
trolleying hoist block to park position (where applicable)
weather vain mode
retracting hoist rope&hook block
idle engine to stabilise temperature
turning off engine
isolating power supply (where applicable)
remove key from ignition/control panel
lock and secure cabin (where applicable).
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Successful assessment of this unit meets the competency requirement of the National Standard for licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work.
State/Territory OHS regulators have mandated the use of Assessment Instruments and Instructions for Assessment for this unit which have been endorsed by the national body responsible for OHS matters.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:
comply with OHS licensing legislation
effectively communicate and work safely with others in the work area
assess risk and management procedures (particular awareness of the risks associated with overhead powerlines/electrical cables, wind and crane stability)
operate a self-erecting tower crane for the lifting and moving of loads to the safe working rated capacity in conjunction with other appropriate personnel
apply standard mathematical procedures for estimation of loads.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of the safe and effective application of knowledge and skill to workplace tasks (performance) must be undertaken using the endorsed Assessment Instrument
Assessment of performance must be undertaken either in the workplace or in a realistically simulated workplace setting
Assessors must ensure that the assessment in the workplace is organised to ensure that all the required equipment and materials and a suitable working area is made available to suit the assessment and the workplace
Assessment must occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
Assessment is to comply with relevant appropriate standard requirements
Applicants must have access to:
personal protective equipment (PPE) for the purpose of the Performance Assessment.
appropriate self-erecting tower crane and associated equipment in safe condition
suitable loads as specified by the endorsed assessment instrument
communication equipment (eg. two-way radios, whistles, etc)
other appropriate personnel to sling and direct the loads.
Method of assessment
Assessment must be conducted using the endorsed Assessment Instruments. These Instruments provide advice on their application.
The use of 'simulators' in the assessment of this unit of competency is not acceptable.
Assessment may be in conjunction with the assessment of other units of competency.
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance together with application of underpinning knowledge.
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstances, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.
Guidance information for assessment
Further information about endorsed assessment instruments may be obtained from state/territory OHS regulators.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Successful assessment of this unit meets the competency requirement of the National Standard for licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work.
State/Territory OHS regulators have mandated the use of Assessment Instruments and Instructions for Assessment for this unit which have been endorsed by the national body responsible for OHS matters.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:
comply with OHS licensing legislation
effectively communicate and work safely with others in the work area
assess risk and management procedures (particular awareness of the risks associated with overhead powerlines/electrical cables, wind and crane stability)
operate a self-erecting tower crane for the lifting and moving of loads to the safe working rated capacity in conjunction with other appropriate personnel
apply standard mathematical procedures for estimation of loads.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of the safe and effective application of knowledge and skill to workplace tasks (performance) must be undertaken using the endorsed Assessment Instrument
Assessment of performance must be undertaken either in the workplace or in a realistically simulated workplace setting
Assessors must ensure that the assessment in the workplace is organised to ensure that all the required equipment and materials and a suitable working area is made available to suit the assessment and the workplace
Assessment must occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
Assessment is to comply with relevant appropriate standard requirements
Applicants must have access to:
personal protective equipment (PPE) for the purpose of the Performance Assessment.
appropriate self-erecting tower crane and associated equipment in safe condition
suitable loads as specified by the endorsed assessment instrument
communication equipment (eg. two-way radios, whistles, etc)
other appropriate personnel to sling and direct the loads.
Method of assessment
Assessment must be conducted using the endorsed Assessment Instruments. These Instruments provide advice on their application.
The use of 'simulators' in the assessment of this unit of competency is not acceptable.
Assessment may be in conjunction with the assessment of other units of competency.
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance together with application of underpinning knowledge.
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstances, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.
Guidance information for assessment
Further information about endorsed assessment instruments may be obtained from state/territory OHS regulators.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OCQ63 | CPCCLTC4002 | Licence to operate a self-erecting tower crane | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D416 | CPC40611 | Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Specialist Trades) | Qualification |