In almost all construction sites, you can see a crane towering, and increasingly, mobile cranes are being used to lift goods and construction materials. Then there are truck-mounted cranes used for loading and unloading on the trucks themselves. But who controls these cranes? The answer is obvious: the crane operator! In this article, we’ll clarify what one does and how you can obtain this qualification.
Types of Cranes
Before delving into the role of the crane operator, we need to understand what types of cranes can be found on construction sites or in industries. The most important and widespread are:
- The tower crane, also known as a construction crane. It is the most common in the construction sector and is present at construction sites for almost the entire duration of the work. With the tower crane, loads of construction materials can be moved within the site, allowing them to be lifted even dozens of meters high.
- The port crane. This equipment is found in shipyards or large commercial ports and is mostly used for loading and unloading containers on large ships.
- Mobile cranes. These are lifting machines that, being self-propelled, allow heavy loads to be moved, albeit over short distances.
- Truck-mounted cranes. These are equipment mounted directly behind the cab that allow materials or equipment to be loaded directly onto the truck bed.
Who Is the Crane Operator and What Do They Do?
A crane operator is the person who handles maneuvering cranes, whether they are tower or construction cranes, mobile cranes, or truck-mounted cranes. The environment in which a crane operates is generally a construction site or an industrial facility, but special crane models are also used in ports.
The main task of the crane operator takes place inside the cabin. It involves lifting and moving loads, often heavy ones, over short distances. However, their work doesn’t end there. It’s their responsibility to perform preliminary checks of the support surface before the construction crane is installed, or of the surfaces on which mobile cranes will operate. The crane operator is also responsible for maintenance and safety checks. Both on the machine and on other accessories such as hooks.
How to Become a Crane Operator
To become a crane operator, you must first obtain the Qualification for Equipment Operation. The State-Regions Agreement of February 22, 2021, establishes the obligation to possess this Qualification for those who use the equipment, even occasionally.
The Qualification can only be issued by accredited entities and is valid for 5 years. After this period, it is necessary to participate in a 4-hour refresher course. The course includes a first theoretical part and a second part that includes practice with the equipment. Depending on the crane we’re talking about (construction crane, mobile crane, truck-mounted crane, etc.), there are specific modules that cover the operation of the machine, safe maneuvering, and conventional signage.
To attend a Qualification course, we recommend looking at the Academy section of the Niederstätter website.
The Role of the Crane Operator in the Job Market
The crane operator is a highly sought-after figure in the market because they perform a delicate job that requires concentration and maneuvering skills in addition to the Qualification. One of the job opportunities for the crane operator is certainly within the construction sector. Many crane operators indeed work for construction companies.
In the industrial sector too, the crane operator is a highly sought-after role for moving and loading goods and materials. But the crane operator is a key figure. Especially in the rental sector, particularly when it comes to rentals with an operator. In this case, in addition to the rented equipment, the customer can count on a qualified and experienced operator of the machine itself. The importance of the crane operator’s role ensures that this is certainly a well-paid position. Especially when one has years of experience.
Our Conclusions
In this article, we have explored the role of the crane operator, their duties, the path to becoming a crane operator, and the machines they may deal with.
All these machines and equipment are available from professional rental companies that have chosen to focus on rentmas.
