When it comes to any construction site, safety has to be job one. This includes inspecting all gear before use, appropriate safety signage, a well-developed project plan, and hard hats all around. If part of your project plan includes the use of a crane, a daily checklist should be followed.
This should include where the lifting will take place, inspection of the lifting gear being used, and a clearly marked work zone for the crane. Weather reports need to be consulted, crane limitations followed, and obstacles removed that could complicate the upcoming lifts.
All of that should happen before any lifting job begins. Once the work begins, you’ll want to make sure your operator has taken the required training programs and written and practical exams needed for crane operator certification. Even though they’ll be working closely with the ground crew, they’re still in control.
Cranes are large pieces of heavy equipment that can cause huge damage if they are not operated the right way. No matter if it’s a lattice boom crawler crane, a boom truck crane, or a rough terrain crane, fixed cab, or swing cab, they all rely on the expertise of the operator in the cab.
Construction sites are dangerous enough without 100s of tons of materials being lifted 100s of feet in the air. The importance of crane operator training can not be overstated. As a project manager, you’ll want to make sure you’re working with certified crane operators that have taken the proper training courses and passed written and National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) practical exams.
With the right training, operators will not only learn how to use the crane but also learn the various safety measures that come with it. For example, they will learn what to do in an emergency or learn what to do with a damaged or kinked wire rope.
A crane operator school or training company will also teach them the various parts of how to maintain the crane or how to accurately hoist a load. With a trained operator in the area, you will reduce the chances of having accidents that damage materials or cause injury and even death.
Crane operators can learn how to use a variety of different cranes. Whether it is tower crane operation, forklift operation, mobile crane operation, or something else, the right training ensures that people know exactly how to use different kinds of cranes for different job site applications.
Increased Communication
A good crane operator also learns how important it is to communicate with other employees that are on the ground. They will learn what safety signals to use to make sure people stay safe around the crane when it is in use, in addition to preparing the team about clearing the area before the crane is in operation.
By hiring a crane operator with experience, training, and certification, you’ll mitigate the risk of making mistakes. And when you buy or rent a crane from Triad Machinery, you’ll know you’re getting a machine that has been thoroughly inspected, maintained, and ready for work.
With six locations around the Pacific Northwest, you’re never too far from a Triad Machinery. Have a job that requires a crane, a crane that needs service work, or require crane repair while you’re in the field? Find the Triad Machinery nearest you and give us a call. We look forward to seeing how we can help.
