Safety on a jobsite should always be a top priority, especially when hoisting heavy materials. Lifting and placing loads requires precision and attention to detail – and no one knows that better than crane operators.
If you think the main objective of getting materials from point A to point B is an easy task, think again:
Construction crane topples in downtown Sacramento
No injuries reported after crane tips over on OSU-Tulsa campus
Crane tips over in DC, crashes into occupied home (twice) and seriously injures worker
Those are just a few of (the many) headlines regarding crane accidents and tip overs during the last year.
More than pick and place
One of the main tasks a crane operator has to conduct is calculating a load’s weight, but there’s much more to operating a crane than the tonnage resting at the end of a hook. Crane operators must consider wind speed, power line proximity, total lift height and a slew of additional factors. They also must be detail-oriented, have excellent hand-eye coordination and possess the ability to critically assess situations and make safe, solid judgement calls. In the three headlines previously mentioned, one might assume those operators lacked all of the above, or, even worse, they relied too heavily on gizmos and gadgets.
Technology’s impact on crane operation – specifically load moment indicator and rated capacity limiter systems – has helped create safer practices, but leaning on technology shouldn’t – and can’t – be a “safety solution.” The only way to ensure a jobsite is the safest it can possibly be is to have properly trained and certified crane operators behind the wheel.
Just think about it… if an improperly trained or inexperienced crane operator is at the controls, major consequences can occur, such as serious injuries or death, accidents that damage property or the load, or impacts on budgets and timelines.
Investing in qualified crane operator training is not only essential, but also a best business practice. Cranes are big machines, after all, and they handle even bigger loads.
Certified crane training helps operators understand loads, weights, limits and capacities. It improves crane operator confidence, improves safety overall and creates a “safety positive” workforce.
One of the leading crane training and safety organizations, the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO,) was formed in 1995 as a non-profit organization with a mission to develop effective performance standards for safe load handling equipment operation. Over the years, NCCCO has developed crane training for overhead and mobile crane operators, crane signalpersons, riggers and more. You can find out more about these NCCCO training courses by clicking the links at the bottom of this page.
The final word
Certified crane training is required by federal regulations. However, investing in refresher courses or a new training category altogether will help operators feel more confident and have a deeper understanding of loads and capacities. These, in turn, produce a safer, compliant jobsite that is less prone to accidents, equipment damages and downtime.
For more information on crane training nearby, visit Easybook Training.
