In the United States, there are over 44,000 crane and tower operators.
Crane operators have to be well trained and knowledgeable about their equipment to be successful. In addition, being a crane operator comes with specific responsibilities that you have to meet for safety, function, and performance.
Crane operators lift and move equipment, materials, and other items around a job site. They are essential to modern building practices, especially when building very large or tall structures. They are also necessary for loading and unloading ships and moving equipment around job sites.
Here are the top 5 responsibilities that a crane operator has:
1. Operating The Crane
The crane operator has a lot of power at their fingertips. They have to control a massive crane, often lifting incredibly heavy objects. This requires understanding how the crane operates, what it can lift, and what type of operations are dangerous.
Cranes can operate both inside buildings and outside, depending on what they are doing. So whether it is a crane loading a ship for transport or a crane bringing steel beams high up into a skyscraper construction, all operations are the crane operator’s responsibility to get done.
2. Inspecting the Crane
No matter what type of crane is being used, it must be inspected. This is to ensure that the operation is safe and that the crane is fully functioning. If any problems are detected while the inspection is underway, the crane operator’s job is to make sure that those defects or safety violations are dealt with.
3. Performing Routine Maintenance
Whether it is a construction crane or a crane truck, the operator has to ensure routine maintenance is completed. This will ensure that the crane can be operated safely, without the risk of falling over or dropping a load that could kill someone beneath it. Cranes lift objects high overhead and thus must always be fully functional and safe to use.
If more complicated repairs are required, then a professional repair service should be brought in. This is the only way to be safe and sure the work is going to be done right.
4. Moving The Crane
Cranes can reach a job site in several ways, and once there, they can sometimes even position themselves. For example, if the crane has to be driven to a job, it’s the responsibility of the crane operator. Or, if it has to move around a job site, the crane operator is responsible for executing these tasks safely, effectively.
5. Cleaning and Maintaining the Hoist
The hoist assembly is what allows the crane to lift objects. Crane operators who work for construction companies, shipping companies, or crane services alike must know how to maintain their equipment and keep it clean.
A Crane Operator Has Many Responsibilities
As you can see, a crane operator has more than one hat they must wear. Anything that has to do with the operation and safety of the crane is the operator’s responsibility. If you or your business operates a crane, feel free to contact us for any service needs.