Did you know that the demand for crane operators in different industrial sectors is projected to grow by 8.5% between 2016 and 2026?Â
However, operating a crane is a high-risk job. Operators don’t just have to take care of themselves during a lift and load task but also keep crane safety in mind. Being a piece of heavy-duty and complicated equipment, Cranes requires continued attention. According to the OSHA, numerous workers and crane operators get injured due to improper and careless crane operations.
This is precisely why becoming a crane operator isn’t an easy task. It requires time, effort, and dedication. Crane operators need to follow the right path to increase their likelihood of securing a job as a crane operator.
Recommended Read: A Day in the Life of a Tower Crane Operator
Cranes are vulnerable to weather, rust, stability, and operational issues. They also increase the risk factor of a construction site during operations. Everyone, from operators and riggers to pedestrians, needs to be informed about ongoing crane operations. Another key responsibility that falls on a crane operator’s shoulders is crane safety device control. Cranes require advanced and efficient safety devices that can minimize common crane risks like:
Overturns
Overloading
Mechanical failure
Two blocking
Slipping, etc.
At Crane Warning Systems Atlanta, we can help you find the most reliable crane safety equipment from renowned brands.
So if you’re looking for a career that pays well and does not require an extensive study period, consider becoming a crane operator. But how to do it? Let’s talk about the process in this blog!
Step 1: Understand the Job Description of a Crane Operator
The first thing you need to know is to clarify all sorts of misconceptions and confusion about a crane operator’s job description. To be great at what you do, you need to know about your responsibilities. A clearly identified job description allows aspiring crane operators to measure the benefits of this profession.
In the modern-day engineering and industrial sectors, multiple types of cranes are used, from crawler and gantry to tower and mobile. Each of these has specific requirements and an operational control system. Therefore, operators need to avail specialized training to operate a specific type of crane. You cannot be a know-it-all for crane operations, well, not unless you’ve spent years working in the industry.
Recommended Read: What to Expect as A Crane Operator: Skills, Training, and Careers
Some of the other key aspects of a crane operator’s JD include:
Crane maintenance
Crane safety inspection
Crane assembly and disassembly, etc.
Step 2: Get a GED or High School Diploma
Cranes are expensive, technologically driven, and complex pieces of equipment. Therefore, they’re never given into the hands of unqualified operators. A GED or high school diploma is considered the basic educational requirement for crane operators. They need to have a solid grip on math, reading, science, writing, technology, and problem-solving.
Step 3: Go To a Trade School
In addition to a diploma and GED, you need to enroll in a trade school to receive training in specialized and technical professions like crane operations. These schools enable students to become a pro at handling and managing products in technical sectors like engineering and construction.
And the best part about trade schools is that they offer specialized training, education, and skill-building services according to your desired career goal. Trade schools also help students seek relevant, well-paid jobs to kick start their careers.
Recommended Read: Career Profile: Skills You Need to Be A Crane Operator
Step 4: Get Yourself a General Crane Operator Training Certificate
Employers don’t take crane operator applicants seriously if they don’t have a general operator training certificate. Handling sophisticated machinery such as a crane is no joke, and it cannot be given to untrained personnel.
General operator training teaches crane operators all about crane maintenance, safety maximization, control, emergency tackles, and other important protocols. This training also takes students through different practical learning modules to help them understand real-life work settings.
Step 5: Avail Local Licenses and Crane Operation Certification
After completing your general training program, the next, most important step is to become a certified and licensed professional. This is basically the most crucial ingredient in the entire recipe.
Here are some of the most valuable and highly sought-after crane operation certifications providers in the US:
The licenses and training programs authorize crane operators and allow them to learn all about running then specialized equipment.
Recommended Read: The Qualities that Make a Crane Operator Perfect for the Construction Job
How Much Will You Earn As a Crane Operator?
After reading the complete guide to becoming a crane operator in the US, you must be wondering about the pay.
According to the BLS, the national average pay for a crane operator in the US is around $65,000. However, high-paying industries like electrical and engineering may offer as much as $80,000 to crane operators with basic experience and high qualifications.
Maintaining Crane Safety is a Crane Operator’s Ultimate Job, and Crane Warning Systems Atlanta Can Help!
As an authorized distributor of RaycoWylie products, we can help you choose from a wide range of RCI and LMI systems, wireless wind speed indicators, and Telescopic Boom Crane parts.
We offer a wide range of products, including RaycoWylie Crane Indicator Systems, i4000 crane indicator, RCIs and LMIs, crane load monitoring system, and much more. Learn more about us here or get in touch with us for further details. Don’t forget to check out our free-access crane wiring diagrams and troubleshooting guides to maximize your crane equipment safety and longevity.