Description

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. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Job Titles

• Boom truck crane operator
• Bridge crane operator
• Climbing crane operator
• Construction crane operator
• Crane operator
• Dragline crane operator
• Gantry crane operator
• Hoist operator (except underground mining)
• Mobile crane operator
• Tower crane operator
• Tractor crane operator

Main 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.

Workplaces

• Cargo handlers
• Construction companies
• Industrial companies
• Mining companies
• Railway companies

Skills

• Operation and Control
• Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
• Preventative Maintenance
• Quality Control Testing
• Troubleshooting

Abilities

• Control of Settings
• Depth Perception
• Multi-Limb Coordination
• Spatial Orientation
• Far Vision

Personal Attributes

• Adaptability
• Attention to Detail
• Collaboration
• Stress Tolerance
• Active Learning

Similar Occupations

• Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews (72021)
• Heavy equipment operators (73400)
• Underground production and development miners (83100)

Source: OaSIS