Crane Operator

The following job responsibilities are common for individuals in crane operator roles:

• Evaluate the condition of cranes before use and perform any needed maintenance tasks
• Set up and dismantle cranes that are used on job sites
• Assess any risks of the job, ensuring loads are balanced and accounting for wind speeds and other uncontrollable elements that could affect load transport
• Use care and precision to lift loads with a crane hook and transport the load safely to its destination

A Day in the Life

Cranes are used in construction to transport loads of materials to locations that are unreachable by vehicles and impractical for carrying. For example, a crane may be used to transport steel beams from the ground to the top of a skyscraper for use by construction workers who are erecting the highest levels of the building. Crane operators are the individuals responsible for getting the load from one destination to another, ensuring the safety of all workers and keeping materials from being damaged.

Crane operators may operate many different types of cranes, including mobile cranes, tower cranes, self-erect cranes, and boom trucks. And while their main responsibility is transporting loads from one destination to another, the actual transport of loads encompasses the least amount of time for their job. Before loads can be moved by cranes, the crane operator must ensure that everything is working properly and the area is prepped for the load-moving task.

The crane operator must first ensure his/her crane is issue-free. This means inspecting working elements and fluid levels and performing routine maintenance tasks. He/she must also set up the crane that will be used in some scenarios, so a lot of time is spent setting up and dismantling cranes. The crane operator must also conduct a thorough safety inspection of the area where the crane will be operated, ensuring elements like wind, foot or car traffic, or uneven pavements are taken into account.

Typical Work Schedule

Most crane operator positions are full-time jobs conducted during normal business hours. However, overtime may be required on occasion to meet deadlines, and evening and weekend work may be required to make up for weather delays or to move loads at times when areas are less populated.

Typical Employers

Most crane operators work for construction or manufacturing companies. They may work for steel erectors, paper mills, or automobile manufacturers, or they may be employed by a crane operation service that contracts crane operators out to work as needed on construction projects.