Crane Operator Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a crane operator. Feel free to use our crane operator job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a crane operator.
Who is a Crane Operator?
Crane operators are an integral part of any construction crew; you will likely find one if not more at a construction site. But what does a crane operator do and what is the career outlook for the profession? If you are wondering whether a career as a crane operator is right for you, you should ask yourself a couple of questions. Are you good with your hands? Do you have strong depth perception and good communication skills? Would you like to work with heavy machinery? Would you be ok traveling to work? Can you work in high places? Are you ok with working outdoors and in noisy environments? Are you interested in working in construction, shipbuilding, railway, or crane rental companies? A crane operator operates a stationary or mobile overhead crane to move, lift, and position materials safely at construction sites. To be successful as a crane operator, an individual should operate cranes efficiently, take complete charge of all safety rules and regulations, clean and maintain hoisting mechanisms, and handle the process of job billing. Ultimately, a top-notch crane operator should set and maintain a standard of accuracy, be able to work in extreme atmospheric or weather conditions and operate the crane according to verbal, written, or signal instruction, as well as be detail-oriented.
Significantly, crane operators are responsible for lifting and moving equipment around construction sites; they are practically minded and understand how and when to drive and maintain heavy machinery. While crane operators hardly need any formal qualifications to begin their careers, they often complete a college course or an apprenticeship or apply directly to an employer for work. In relation, a crane operator can obtain a job as a construction site laborer and gain experience using heavy plant machinery before training g as a crane operator. Most times, they learn under the supervision of or shadow an experienced crane driver. Also, crane operators develop an understanding of how to use and maintain machines and tools on the job as well as good team working skills. He or she is patient and remains calm in stressful situations. They are very attentive and have good spatial awareness. Importantly, the crane operator controls different crane functions by pressing buttons, foot pedals, and navigating crane levers. They are required to unload accessories from trailers or other vehicles and often receive directions on what to do from a rigger or signal person via hand and/or verbal signals.
Furthermore, a crane operator is also required to perform pre-and post-trip inspections as well as daily and monthly equipment inspections to ensure that all equipment is functioning properly. Whilst working under direct supervision, crane operators work long hours that require them to be frequently sitting, standing, moving, and climbing. They are subject to exposure to extreme year-round outdoor environmental conditions and may also be subject to working weekends and holidays. Crane operators are in high demand nowadays; many different jobs exist on a construction site such as contractors, electricians, cement layers, and so on, but a crane operator’s unique skill set is essential when it comes to the completion of most construction jobs. Relatively, there is an increasing number of opportunities for careers as a crane operator as large modern structures continue to increase.
A standard workweek for a crane operator is 40 hours (8 hours a day, 5 days a week). Similar to many other careers in construction, some periods require crane operators to work overtime. The amount of overtime work depends on the sector they work in as well as the region. A crane operator needs to be physically fit and able to maneuver effectively with good vision. Good hand-eye coordination is important and mechanical and computer operational skills are often advantageous. Sound judgment and proficiency in using advanced construction machinery to move heavy equipment from one place to another are also desirable. Businesses rely on crane operators to transport heavy materials that are too heavy to move easily.
Crane Operator Job Description
Crane operators are responsible for many activities in their daily job. Anyone who is thinking about pursuing this as a career must learn as much as they can about what roles and responsibilities a crane operator has. As a crane operator, your duties range from transporting to moving to lifting heavy loads with the use of a stationary or traveling crane. Each employer is going to have a different set of specific tasks but the following are generally going to be required in all situations;
Inspection and maintenance: One of the first and most important responsibilities of a crane operator is to inspect and properly maintain the crane. Before they do anything else, the crane operator should perform a visual inspection of the machine to ensure it is in good working order. If anything is broken, damaged, or otherwise needs maintenance, they will have to get it done. In many cases, this means notifying the maintenance professional of the facility.
Ensuring safety compliance: A crane operator is responsible for ensuring they always follow the occupational health and safety guidelines. Whether they are working for a company directly or brought in as a third-party contractor, they will be directly responsible for any safety violations related to the crane operation itself. For this reason, they must take their safety and the safety of the area around them seriously. Additionally, you may need to wear protective gear. For example, it is recommended to wear a helmet when operating heavy machinery and particularly at construction sites.
Operate the crane: Of course, they will also have to operate the crane according to the requirements of the job. This includes positioning the crane so that it can be attached to the load. Maneuvering the crane so that the load can be set down where it is needed is necessary as well as keeping the load safe while it is being moved. During this process, they will also have to communicate with the signal person and monitor for any potential hazards.
Communicate with colleagues: Communication is as much a skill as it is a requirement in crane operation. Since you will almost always work with a team, you must maintain good communication with your teammates. Everyone has to be aware of the written and verbal instructions from foremen and supervisors.
Determine daily tasks: Crane operators communicate with construction managers to determine the most important tasks of the day and to create a daily schedule. You may be responsible for deciding how you will move certain equipment or tools from one area of the construction site to another. It is also important for you to monitor what you accomplish each day in case it will affect the next day’s operations.
Qualifications
Aspiring crane operators typically gain experience on the job after graduating high school or earning their GED. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration requires all crane operators to become certified to use the type of crane they operate. The requirements for being a successful crane operator include;
- Education: Crane operators need a high school diploma or its equivalent such as a General Education Development certificate to gain the required certification. While this is not a requirement, many aspiring crane operators further their education at a trade school. A one or two-year course teaches students practical construction skills and how to operate heavy machinery including cranes.
- Training: After graduating from a trade school or high school, many crane operators enroll in a general operator training program. These programs offer lessons about crane operations, maintenance, and safety guidelines. They also help prepare students for the National Commission for the Certification of crane operators’ examination. General Crane operator training program usually lasts between three weeks and three months depending on the provider. Crane operators then apply the knowledge and skills they have learned through education and training programs to an apprenticeship. Apprentice crane operators are supervised by experienced crane operators to increase their understanding of the industry and develop their skills.
- Certifications: The International omission for the Certification of Crane Operators administers certification credentials for several crane operators including mobile crane operators, service truck crane operators, and articulating crane operators. Crane operators must hold the certification for the types of cranes they operate under occupational safety and health administration guidelines. An example of this certification is the crane operator certification.
- License: Some states and cities require crane operators to hold a local license. Requirements vary but applicants must usually show their CCO certification, ICCCO certification operator card, and the result of a recent physical examination to a relevant government or council department. Applicants may also need to pass an additional examination in their area’s specific laws and guidelines. Licenses must typically be renewed after several years.
Essential Skills
There are a variety of skills required of crane operators in the workplace. These skills are typically a combination of soft skills which are skills related to your characteristics and habits and hard skills which are skills related to your technical abilities as a crane operator. Some of these skills include;
- Ability to work in stressful situations: The ability to work in stressful situations enables you to remain calm and respond to situations as necessary. You need to be comfortable in your job and confident in your skills to make good decisions during emergencies.
- Decision-making: Decision-making skills refer to your ability to assess a situation and make the correct choice. As a crane operator, you will need to determine the consequences of certain actions and weigh them against potential benefits to find the most suitable approach.
- Listening skills: Listening skills refer to your ability to listen to and process the information or instruction others give you.
- Mechanical skills: Crane operators must understand how to use crane controls to maneuver the crane and make small adjustments when traveling from one location to the next and placing down their loads.
- Alertness: Crane operators must stay aware of their crane, load, and surroundings always to complete their tasks efficiently and without incidents.
- Attention to detail: Crane operators need excellent attention to detail when inspecting their cranes. Overlooking a problem could compromise safety on the job site.
How to Become a Crane Operator
Crane operators must gain relevant experience and certification to work in their field. Follow these career steps to become a crane operator;
- Complete secondary school: Working as a crane operator requires you to complete secondary school and earn a high school diploma.
- Enroll in a trade school: Trade schools offer courses that can help aspiring crane operators learn about the construction industry and crane operations. Most programs take one or two years to complete.
- Complete a general operator training program: A general operator training program offers more specific education for crane operators including details about crane operation, safety, and maintenance. These are short courses and last for only a few months.
- Gain relevant work experience: Look for opportunities to gain relevant work experience such as by working on a construction site s a laborer or working elsewhere operating heavy machinery. You can also secure an apprenticeship.
- Obtain certification and license: Earning the necessary licenses or certifications is important to operate cranes safely. Research the requirements and necessary qualifications in your area and follow the provided steps to obtain your certification and license.
- Prepare your resume and apply for crane operator positions: Create a resume showing details of the training programs you have taken part in and your certifications and license. Afterward, submit your resume and customized cover letter to employers of crane operators.
Where to Work as a Crane Operator
Construction firms, mining organizations, manufacturing firms, and other businesses employ crane operators. They can also work on construction sites moving materials and equipment from one place to another to aid the construction process. Other crane operators work at ports or other freight terminals lifting large containers onto ships and stacking them according to best practices. These workplaces are often noisy as crane operators are usually surrounded by heavy machinery including their crane but earplugs can minimize the impact.
Crane Operator Salary Scale
Salaries for crane operators vary depending on factors such as level of experience and positions in the industry. If you work in the mining or construction industry, your earnings will more likely surpass those of crane operators working in the manufacturing, storage, and warehousing industries. Additionally, working overnight and doing overtime can further increase your earnings. Trainees and newly trained crane operators can earn between $17,000 to $20,000. Trained crane operators with some experience earn $20,000 to $35,000 per year. Finally, senior crane operators can earn more than $35,000 yearly.