Why is an annual maintenance inspection required?

Some items of plant, due to their hazardous nature, require specific management to minimise any danger to the operator or other parties.

An employer’s responsibilities regarding the maintenance of a tower crane, are set out in Regulation 4.48 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994 (the Regulations) An employer must take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that inspections, maintenance and cleaning are carried out having regard to procedures recommended for the tower crane by its designer or manufacturer, or developed for the tower crane by a Competent Person. “Competent Person” is defined in Part 20 of the Regulations.

A copy of the Regulations is available at www.comlaw.gov.au.

How do I notify Comcare of annual maintenance of items of plant?

For each 36 months that an employer licensed to operate a tower crane, the employer must provide Comcare with a notification of compliance with maintenance requirement for the tower crane.

In addition, if a tower crane is relocated, the employer must provide Comcare with a notification of compliance with maintenance requirement for the tower crane.

To obtain copies of this form or for further information please contact Comcare on telephone: 1300 366 979 or email: ohs.plant@comcare.gov.au.

Completed forms can be:

• faxed to (02) 6274 8866; or
• posted to the

How do I complete the notification form?

The following provides additional information to assist applicants to complete the form for notification of compliance with maintenance requirement for tower cranes.

Section 1: Licence number

• Enter current licence number.

Section 2: Organisation and applicant details

• “Principal Officer” is defined in section 5 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991. For example, this would be the “Chief Executive Officer” (CEO) in a Commonwealth authority or in the case of a Department this would be the “Secretary”.
• The term applicant refers to the person who signs the declaration at Section 6. All letters from Comcare will be sent to the applicant.
• Under Regulation 4.46 the employer must, no later than 21 days after becoming aware of a change in the name of the employer, complete and forward to Comcare an application for variation to a licence to operate plant.

Section 3: Plant item identification

• Enter the model number for the item of plant.
• Enter the serial number for the item of plant.
• Enter any owner identification (such as organisation bar code or unique plant number) for the item of plant.
• Under Regulation 4.46 the employer must, no later than 21 days after becoming aware of a tower crane being decommissioned or disposed of, complete and forward to Comcare an application for variation to a licence to operate plant.
• Enter yes or no to indicate if the tower crane’s design has been altered since registration (modifications carried out to the item of plant that vary from the original registered design).
• Under Regulation 4.46 the employer must, no later than 21 days after becoming aware of an alteration to a tower crane, complete and forward to Comcare an application for variation to a licence to operate plant.

Section 4: Plant location

• Tick one box to indicate whether the plant item is fixed or mobile.
• Enter the address of the plant item’s location (if fixed) or depot (if mobile).
• Under the Regulation 4.46 the employer must, no later than 21 days after becoming aware of the relocation of a tower crane, complete and forward to Comcare an application for variation to a licence to operate plant.

Section 5: Employer’s notification of compliance with maintenance for tower cranes

• The notification advising Comcare that the item of plant has been maintained in a safe condition and is safe to operate, must be provided by the employer.
• Enter yes or no to indicate if the employer has carried out the inspections, checks, tests, maintenance and cleaning required for the tower crane.
• Enter yes or no to indicate if the tower crane has been relocated.
• Enter yes or no to indicate if the employer has carried out the inspections, checks, tests, maintenance and cleaning required for a tower crane that has been relocated.
• Enter yes or no to indicate if the tower crane has been maintained in a safe condition and is safe to operate.
• The notification must be given to Comcare as soon as practicable after the end of the 36 month period to which it relates or when the tower crane is relocated.

Section 6: Applicant’s statement

• Complete, sign and date the declaration.
• The person who signs the declaration has the responsibility for managing the plant item and is delegated with that responsibility by the Principal Officer / Chief Executive Officer.