If you’re interested in a high-paying, in-demand career in the construction industry, becoming a certified crane operator could be perfect. The ideal heavy equipment training program will include a mix of both classroom courses and hands-on learning. The latter prepares you for the field by replicating the conditions you’ll encounter on a typical job. Read on to find out what crane operator skills you can learn and why hands-on training is so important to succeed in this career.
Master Operating Different Types of Cranes
The types of cranes you will learn about can include tower cranes, telescopic cranes, and lattice boom cranes. And you will learn the best way to operate each type of crane for different applications, attachments, and techniques. When you learn through hands-on practice in the field, you’ll be supervised by a certified, experienced instructor.
You will also gain experience and expertise with related equipment such as load indicators and hoist systems. This includes the upkeep, such as learning how to lubricate the cables.
Master Workplace Safety Crane Operator Skills
Workplace safety is an essential part of any job in the construction industry. This includes:
- Ensuring the safety of all persons on a jobsite
- Performing mechanical safety checks daily on all equipment
- Safely using the cranes’ operational aids
- Properly using safety equipment
- Correctly keeping records—an OSHA requirement
- Maintaining fall prevention standards, which is essential with the great heights involved in this line of work
Master Equipment Inspections
This is another master crane operator skill you’ll learn hands-on and apply for both the crane and the hydraulic systems. By looking at an actual crane, instead of just a picture, you’ll know how to recognize both normal wear and tear and damage that could occur in the field. Additionally, you’ll learn how to assess whether the issue requires immediate repair or replacement. You’ll also learn how to lead inspections and how to correctly fill out an inspection checklist.
Master Effective Communication on a Jobsite
This includes communicating with construction supervisors, as well as the other crane operators, and knowing how to work as a team. Since job sites can be loud and crane operators are often high off the ground, effective communication also includes learning to both interpret and execute hand signals.
Master Performing Load Tests & Using Charts
A load test is how you’ll know how much a crane is capable of lifting. You’ll use this skill to test how the cranes work with any new installations, repairs, modifications, and so on. It’s vital to the safe operation of any crane.
A related crane operator skill you’ll also learn is how to read a load chart. This is another safety-ensuring skill. It means that you will know for sure whether a crane has a safe workload.
Ready to embark on hands-on training to learn all the essential crane operator skills for a successful career? You can find more information on West Coast Training and our crane operator program by exploring our website.