DG Exclusion Zones and Barricading 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of establishing an exclusion zone during a lifting operation?
- To protect personnel from a falling or swinging load (Correct answer)
- To prevent damage to the crane
- To mark where rigging equipment is stored
- To indicate where the load will be set down
Correct answer: To protect personnel from a falling or swinging load
Exclusion zones protect workers and the public from the primary hazard of a lifting operation — a falling, swinging, or uncontrolled load.
Question 2: Under WHS regulations, who is responsible for ensuring an exclusion zone is established during a crane lift?
- The crane owner
- The site supervisor
- The dogman (dogger) (Correct answer)
- The WHS safety officer
Correct answer: The dogman (dogger)
The dogman is responsible for establishing and maintaining the exclusion zone as part of their duties managing the lift at the load end.
Question 3: As a general rule, what minimum radius should an exclusion zone extend from a suspended load?
- Half the height of the load above the ground
- A distance equal to the height of the load above the ground (Correct answer)
- 2 metres in every direction
- Equal to the length of the sling being used
Correct answer: A distance equal to the height of the load above the ground
The exclusion zone should extend at least a distance equal to the height of the load above the ground to account for the potential fall path.
Question 4: What type of barrier is most appropriate for establishing a temporary exclusion zone during a lifting operation on a construction site?
- Permanent steel fencing
- Painted lines on the ground only
- Bunting, witches' hats, or barrier tape with signage (Correct answer)
- Verbal warnings to nearby workers
Correct answer: Bunting, witches' hats, or barrier tape with signage
Physical barriers such as bunting, witches' hats, or barrier tape with appropriate signage are the standard means of clearly delineating and securing exclusion zones.
Question 5: Under what condition may a person enter an exclusion zone during an active lifting operation?
- At any time if they are wearing appropriate PPE
- Only with verbal permission from the crane operator
- Only when authorised by the dogman or person in charge of the lift (Correct answer)
- When the load is below 2 metres from the ground
Correct answer: Only when authorised by the dogman or person in charge of the lift
Only persons authorised by the dogman or person in charge of the lift may enter the exclusion zone, and only when it is safe to do so.
Question 6: An unauthorised worker walks into the exclusion zone while a load is suspended. What is the FIRST action the dogman should take?
- Shout a warning and continue the lift carefully
- Signal the crane operator to immediately stop all crane movement (Correct answer)
- Complete the lift as quickly as possible to clear the hazard
- Report the incident to the supervisor after the lift is done
Correct answer: Signal the crane operator to immediately stop all crane movement
The dogman must immediately signal the crane operator to stop all movement to eliminate the risk to the unauthorised person before taking any other action.
Question 7: Which Australian standard provides the primary guidance on the safe use of cranes and exclusion zone requirements during lifting operations?
- AS 1418.1 — Cranes, hoists and winches (Design)
- AS 2550.1 — Cranes, hoists and winches — Safe use (Correct answer)
- AS 3569 — Steel wire ropes
- AS 1353.1 — Flat synthetic-webbing slings
Correct answer: AS 2550.1 — Cranes, hoists and winches — Safe use
AS 2550.1 covers the safe use of cranes, hoists and winches and includes requirements for exclusion zones and safe working practices during lifting operations.
DG Exclusion Zones and Barricading 1
What is the primary purpose of establishing an exclusion zone during a lifting operation?