Crane work leads to many severe accidents and injuries in Australia. While there are safety procedures and practices to prevent these incidents, they occur daily. Being more aware of them can help you take steps to ensure safer operations.
To help you better understand the risks of crane work, we’ve listed some common crane accidents, their causes and preventive measures. But before this, take a closer look at some crane accident statistics in Australia.
Crane Accident Statistics
Here are some relevant statistics for crane accidents.
Frequency of Crane Accidents
While no exact figures exist, the high fatality rates and injury claims in Australia’s construction industry indicate a high occurrence of heavy machinery, including crane accidents, compared to other sectors.
Major Causes of Crane Accidents
As of 2023, major causes of crane accidents include:
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Improper outrigger deployment
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Excessive loading
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Improper load distribution
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Inexperienced operators.
Common Crane Failures
The most common crane failures include:
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Operators with less than five years of experience
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Operating cranes near overhead power lines
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Improper load handling.
Most Common Causes of Crane Fatalities
As of 2025, falls from heights and contact with electricity are the leading causes of crane fatalities.
Common Causes of Crane Operator Fatalities
As of 2023, machinery operators and drivers made up 37% of worker fatalities, the highest number in the industry. Falls from heights are one of the leading causes of fatal accidents involving crane operators in the Australian construction industry.
7 Common Crane Accidents and Causes
Now that you know more about crane accidents in Australia, learn some common incidents and their causes.
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Struck By Objects
Struck-by accidents include coming into contact with a falling load or crane component like a boom or jib. These accidents can cause serious and fatal injuries. Some common causes of contact or strikes with crane loads and equipment include:
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Environmental factors: Severe wind and other weather conditions can cause sudden or abrupt crane movements. Components like the jib and boom may move or swing uncontrollably with wind forces and come into contact with workers.
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Load Instability: Loads can come loose with sudden or jerky moments and strike workers.
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Improper rigging: Using incorrect techniques can cause loads to loosen during movement and fall on workers.
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Falling From Cranes
Employees can fall from cranes while operating or working on them. Common causes include the following:
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Unsafe access and exits: Improperly designed, installed, or maintained crane access and exit points, such as ladders and platforms.
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Limited fall protection systems: Fall arrest systems like harnesses and safety nets are essential to prevent injuries from falls. Workers can fall and sustain severe and fatal injuries if these safety systems are not in place or are faulty.
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Faulty equipment: Neglecting maintenance can lead to equipment failures and increase the risk of falls.
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Structural Collapse
Structural collapse involves crane structures and components falling on workers. Some common causes include:
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Mechanical failure: Worn-out or faulty components can lead to crane malfunctions and falls.
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Overloading: Putting more weight on a crane than it can lift can cause imbalances and structural collapse.
- Electrical Accidents
Cranes can come into contact with overhead power lines or other electrical sources. These currents flow through cranes and load to workers and operators. Electrical accidents often result in severe injuries and fatalities. Some causes include:
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Poor planning and risk assessment: Site managers and other senior personnel must accurately plan lifts to avoid contact with powerlines. They must also assess the risks of lifting near electrical sources and decide if it’s safe. Lack of or improper planning and assessment can increase electrical accidents.
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Environmental factors: Severe weather and changes in ground conditions can cause cranes to become unstable and increase the risks of them coming into contact with power sources.
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Tipovers
Tripovers happen when canes become unstable and overturn on worksites or surrounding areas. Common causes of crane overturns include:
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Uneven ground: Working on uneven or sloped ground is one of the leading causes of structural imbalances and overturns.
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Overloading: Exceeding a crane’s weight limit impacts its stability and causes it to tip over.
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Collisions
Cranes colliding with other equipment, structures and personnel is one of the most common accidents and causes of worker fatalities. Here’s what can cause collisions:
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Visibility Issues: Poor weather or obstructions like equipment and structures can impact operator views of worksites and lead to collisions.
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Poor communication: Limited or inadequate communication between ground staff, spotters, and operators can increase the risks of collisions.
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Human Error
Human error can lead to significant crane accidents and injuries. It includes operators and workers using improper or unsafe practices on site. One of the leading causes of human error is inexperience and lack of supervision.
Preventative Measures
Knowing how to prevent crane accidents is essential to creating a safer work environment. Some preventive measures include:
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Licensing and Training: Crane operators must have adequate training, experience and licenses to meet Australian safety standards and use equipment properly.
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Maintenance and Inspection: Cranes must be frequently inspected for wear and damage and be serviced by qualified professionals before use.
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Clear communication: Ensure operators and ground staff use effective communication, such as hand signals.
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Weather monitoring: Check the weather before using cranes and avoid working in signs of severe conditions. If the environment changes suddenly during lifts, stop work immediately.
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Risk assessment: Inspect the site for hazards like unstable ground, nearby power lines, or strong winds, and take steps to eliminate or reduce those risks.
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Safe work practices: Follow guidelines and procedures for safe crane operations.
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Fall protection: Use safe and functional harnesses and guard rails when working from heights.
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Crane set-up: Perform crane work on stable and level ground, use outriggers and appropriate rigging techniques to stabilise carnes and prevent tripping.
Reliable Crane Rentals for Your Next Job
Learning various crane accident statistics, common incidents and causes, and how to prevent them is essential to performing safe operations. If you’re ready for your next project and need quality crane rentals, we can help.
St George Cranes is a leading Sydney crane hire company specialising in mobile crane rentals. Our fleet is frequently inspected and serviced to ensure effective and safe crane work.
Contact us online today for quality rentals, site inspections, traffic control plans, lift studies, and other crane hire services.
