Crane Operators

Nature of work

Crane operators operate cranes or draglines to lift, move, position or place machinery, equipment and other large objects at construction or industrial sites, ports, railway yards, surface mines and other similar locations. They are employed by construction, industrial, mining, cargo handling and railway companies.

Mobile crane operators use mobile cranes to lift, move, and place heavy objects. Hydraulic mobile crane operators also repair, maintain, and move cranes; booms mounted on trucks; wheeled frames or crawlers; and traveling/fixed/climbing hoisting equipment with a vertical mast or tower and jib. Tower crane operators operate any mechanical device or structure that incorporates a power-driven drum with a cable or rope and a vertical mast or tower and stationary or luffing boom.

Job duties

Crane operators perform some or all of the following duties:

• Operate mobile and tower cranes to lift, move, position or place equipment and materials.
• Perform pre-operational inspection, and calculate crane capacities and weight to prepare for rigging and hoisting.
• Operate pile driving cranes to drive pilings into earth to provide support for buildings and other structures.
• Operate cranes equipped with dredging attachments to dredge waterways and other areas.
• Operate gantry cranes to load and unload ship cargo at port side.
• Operate locomotive cranes to move objects and materials at railway yards.
• Operate bridge or overhead cranes to lift, move and place plant machinery and materials.
• Operate offshore oil rig cranes to unload and reload supply vessels.
• Operate cranes mounted on boats or barges to lift, move and place equipment and materials.
• Operate dragline cranes to expose coal seams and ore deposits at open pit mines.
• May assemble tower cranes on site.
• Perform routine maintenance work such as cleaning and lubricating cranes.

Sample job titles

• boom truck crane operator
• construction crane operator
• crane operator
• hoist operator (except underground mining)
• mobile crane operator
• overhead crane operator
• skip operator
• tower crane operator

Skills

To work in these jobs, you should have good health, physical stamina, and strength. Agility, coordination, and mechanical aptitude would be helpful. You must also be able to work at heights, work with precision and attention to detail, take direction, and carry out instructions given by supervisors.

Job requirements

• Completion of high school is usually required.
• Completion of a one- to three-year apprenticeship program or high school, college or industry courses in crane operating are usually required.
• Mobile crane operator trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia.
• Tower crane operator trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia.
• Mobile crane operators may require a provincial licence to drive mobile cranes on public roads.
• Internal company certification as a crane operator may be required by some employers.
• Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) is also available to qualified mobile crane and mobile crane (hydraulic) operators upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Other considerations

Robotics and computerized controls will increase the skill requirements for crane operators. Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Regulations

Contacts

There are currently no job postings for this occupation.