What does a Crane Operator do?

A crane operator uses the crane to lift, move, position and place materials or equipment in specific areas for construction companies, cargo companies or industrial sites. Their job involves pre-checking their crane before each use to ensure it is safe to use and ensure the safety of the work environment. They also communicate with other workers, contractors or planners to understand the orders and requirements of the job.

Crane Operators’ skills and qualifications

A successful crane operator will have the following skills and qualifications:

• Technical knowledge of how to properly use equipment needed for the job.
• Expert knowledge of the types of materials being moved, placed, loaded or unloaded.
• Excellent oral communication skills with close attention to detail.
• Knowledge of how to read and interpret blueprints, drawings, designs
• Understanding of how to conduct pre-operational checks on equipment and how to maintain them.
• Understanding of all safety requirements for the job site.

Crane Operators’ experience requirements

A successful candidate for a crane operator position should have experience working with cranes on construction sites, industrial sites, oil rigs or cargo bays. Experience in maintaining and doing pre-operating checks on cranes is also a must. Crane operators should be able to interpret drawings, blueprints or designs for a project. They also must have experience working as part of a team while maintaining a safe working environment.

Crane Operators’ education and training requirements

Crane operators work with specialized heavy equipment and should have successfully completed secondary school or equivalent, followed by a one-to-three-year apprenticeship program. Alternatively, it helps if they have completed some college or industrial course on ‘crane equipment maintenance and operation’ and on-the-job training. Some employers require an internal certification for crane operation, while a trade certificate is mandatory in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta.

Crane Operator salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a crane operator is $30.00 per hour. Salaries for a crane operator are dependent on experience, location and company.

Job description samples for similar positions

If a crane operator job description is not quite what you are looking for, check out these similar positions that can be found here.

• Construction Worker
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Crane Operator Job Description FAQs

What qualities make a good excavator operator?

A good crane operator is someone who has expert knowledge on how to use the equipment. They should be able to understand designs, plans or drawings that indicate the requirements of the job. A crane operator should also know to maintain the equipment and keep a safe work environment.

What are the day-to-day duties of a crane operator?

Crane operators use their equipment to load, unload or move different materials or cargo. They consult with other crane operators or construction foremen on what they are to do so that the project’s requirements get done efficiently. They also conduct pre-operational checks of their equipment to ensure the safety of the work site.

What should you look for in a crane operator resume?

When looking at a crane operator’s resume, you want to look at what type of experience they have. Crane operators can work on many different types of projects, so you want to ensure that the crane operator’s skills and expertise match what you are looking for.

What makes a good crane operator job description?

A good crane operator job description will describe what type of project you work on. For example, applicants will need to know if they will be working on a building construction site or working on a shipping site. This will help candidates decide if the job is right for them. Another piece of information you should put in a crane operator job description is a short snippet about the organization and the people working there. This will allow possible candidates to determine if the working environment is right for them.