The Many Duties And Responsibilities Of Crane Operators
While crane operators aren’t the only skilled personnel you will need on-site, they are the lynchpin of safe and efficient crane work. When you rent a crane, the rental business should provide you with qualified personnel covering the roles of operator, signaler, dogmen, and rigger.
Your crane rental company will also take responsibility for safe crane erection and maintenance throughout your rental period. But these are the personnel you will be working with onsite. Each provides a crucial part of safe and efficient operation
In this article, let’s take a look at crane operators, their required qualifications, and just why they are essential to ensuring your job site is safe and efficient.
The Role Of Crane Operators On The Job Site
Probably the first and most obvious of the personnel is the crane operator. Their primary job is to drive or operate the crane during lifts safely. But that is not the only responsibility they have on the job site. Crane operators perform the following tasks before and after lifts:
- Daily inspection of crane equipment for maintenance concerns
- Perform minor maintenance as needed
- Daily check of ground conditions and proper outrigger pad deployment
- Verification of safe load limits before each load
- Monitoring of site conditions, including weather
- Communication with other personnel and managers about safety
Operators are the center of crane work on-site. Their responsibilities extend beyond merely operating a crane during an active lift. Your rental company must provide one that meets national certification requirements.
Training And Required Qualifications For Crane Operators
OSHA mandates that all crane operators must be nationally certified and then repass certification every five years. Be aware that some states require additional certification and licensure, so be sure to check with your rental company about any additional needed certifications.
When deciding on a rental company, look for certifications from at least one of the following:
- National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO)
- Crane Institute Certification (CIC)
- Operating Engineers Certification Program (OECP)
- National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)
Certification training will cover topics including worksite operations, technical knowledge, how to read load charts, and training specific to the cranes they will be operating.
Steps You Can Take To Support Crane Operators On Site
Ensuring your crane operators are appropriately trained and qualified for the job goes a long way toward helping them maintain focus. But there are other steps you can take as an employer and work-site organizer to help support focused work. Step one is recognizing your site's specific risks and then taking appropriate action to negate those risks.
Here are a few things you can implement to help increase the focus of crane operators and other construction personnel:
- Provide adequate hearing protection to limit noise distractions.
- Clearly mark the safe crane operating space. Hazards should be clear and visible, and there should be a distinct area that other workers should stay clear of during lifts.
- Restrict the use of personal devices while in the cab. This rule should include personal cell phones and music devices but allow essential communication equipment for the job.
- Allow adequate time and areas for breaks, to use facilities, eat, and drink. Just getting up and moving regularly after remaining seated for long periods can help workers focus, but dehydration and hunger can significantly reduce a person's ability to focus.
- Include a mental check of sorts at the beginning of the day. Workers should be well rested and supported from stressors both from the job and personal situations.
- Keep the cab in a safe temperature range with heating, cooling, and proper ventilation.
- Give them proper support workers, including riggers and signal persons with whom they can communicate using hand signals.
Parkers Crane Rentals Provide Qualified And Experienced Personnel
Parker's Crane Service has you covered if you need safe, reliable hydraulic truck cranes and personnel in North Carolina and surrounding states. Our fleet is backed by professional staff, a focus on safety, and a Zero Accident Philosophy.
We pride ourselves on conducting many detailed safety measures when performing a job to ensure that no project carries unnecessary risk. We enact the following for every single job we take:
- Pre-Lift Job Assessments
- Daily Risk Assessments
- On-Site Hazard Analysis
- Routine Management Audits
With a fleet of well-maintained hydraulic truck cranes, we offer not only the best equipment but can also help with site installation, maintenance, and operation. Our crew is OSHA and MSHA-compliant to ensure your site and crew safety.
Contact us by phone or online today if you would like to discuss your needs and whether or not our services and equipment will work for your construction project. We provide free on-site quotes and evaluations.