What to Know About Becoming a Crane Operator

Name: OSHA Education Center Courses
Brand: OSHA Education Center
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Woman crane driver wearing hard hat giving a thumbs up

Professionals who control large lifting machines are important on many worksites. This article will help you find the information you need on how to pursue a career as a crane operator, the required qualifications and certifications and the operator training you need to get started.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean hourly wage for a certified operator in 2023 was $32.71 — $68,040 a year. Some specialized operators earn nearly $100,000 annually.

There are plenty of opportunities across a wide variety of industries, including:

Construction projects
Specialty trade contractors
Civil engineering projects
Ports and depots
Iron and steel mills

BLS forecasts steady growth in this occupation due to the continuing demand for commercial, residential and public infrastructure projects. More than 42,000 people already work in the trade, and job growth is projected to grow well above the national average in the next decade.

While jobs are available throughout the United States, the largest number of positions in 2023 were concentrated in five states: Texas, California, Florida, Indiana and Louisiana.

The Skills Needed to Operate Cranes

Becoming a crane operator is about much more than just lifting heavy loads. It takes planning, communication and organizational skills. Your responsibilities on the jobsite may include:

Operating different types of equipment
Inspecting your lifting machine for maintenance, repair or safety issues
Coordinating with construction workers and management
Identifying safety concerns and reporting them
Keeping an eye on warning systems, load indicators and capacity indicators

To do the job well, you should hone several key skills, including:

Hand-Eye Coordination

Precise control of the equipment's movements is essential. You should have good hand-eye coordination to manipulate controls smoothly and accurately, especially when performing delicate maneuvers with heavy loads.

Spatial Awareness

Excellent spatial awareness and depth perception are required to accurately judge distances and clearances while maneuvering loads in three-dimensional space — often with limited visibility.

Attention to Detail

Pay close attention to every aspect of your work. Even a minor oversight, a misjudgment or an overlooked detail can lead to serious accidents. Lapses in concentration could lead to massive property damage or even fatalities.

Mechanical Aptitude

You should have a good grasp of how different components work together and be able to perform basic maintenance tasks. Cranes are large, powerful machines. A knowledge of physics or mechanical engineering can go a long way toward understanding them.

Communication Skills

Clear and effective communication with ground crews, supervisors and other construction workers is essential for efficient operations. Crews may have to communicate over the radio or even entirely by hand signal while moving loads weighing literal tons.

Decision-Making and Problem-Solving

Unexpected situations require quick thinking and sound judgment. Assessing risks, making decisions under pressure and solving problems efficiently are critical. That's to say nothing of adapting to changing weather conditions and project requirements.

Physical Stamina

Operating heavy equipment can be physically demanding. Poor cardiovascular health, for instance, may lead to deep vein thrombosis. An unprepared body may not be able to maintain the intense concentration needed for long shifts behind the controls.

Mathematical Skills

Calculating load weights, understanding load charts and determining safe lifting capacities all call for simple and intermediate math skills.

Calm Under Pressure

Holding large loads suspended in the air above people and property is a lot of responsibility. There's no substitute for a clear head and a steady hand. Cool, rational decision-making is never more important than when disaster strikes.

Work with Technology

Modern construction equipment often incorporates advanced technologies. Only those who are comfortable working with computerized control systems should climb into the cab.

Eligibility Requirements

While exact specifications vary by job description, most crane operators must meet a few basic requirements.

At the very least, you must be at least 18 years old and be certified by a reputable accreditation body. Most employees also want you to have a high school diploma or GED.

Certification Requirements

The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) provides written exams to become an NCCCO certified operator. This meets OSHA requirements for operator certification.

To get certified, you will first pass written exams, including the core exam and at least one specialty. Within 12 months of passing the written exam, you must also pass a practical exam.

You must also comply with NCCCO's code of ethics and policies regarding substance abuse.

Written Examinations

The core exam comprises 90 multiple-choice questions. You'll get 90 minutes to complete it. Specialty exams consist of 26 multiple-choice questions that you'll have 60 minutes to answer.

Each portion of the core exam accounts for about 25% of the test. Topics include everything from site-surveying strategies and ground knowledge to mechanical terminology, responding to emergencies and understanding load charts.

There are a variety of specialty exams. For example, to earn a mobile operator certification, you will need to take at least one of these three exams:

Lattice Booms (LAT)
Telescopic Booms — Swing Cab (TLL)
Telescopic Booms — Fixed Cab (TSS)

Different types of machines have different examination requirements. A truck-mounted service lift requires very different skills than a tower crane the size of a skyscraper.

Practical Examinations

After you pass the written exams, you will have to take a practical exam that demonstrates your proficiency in your specialty area.

To show your expertise, you'll need to get some hands-on training as well. Many employers and trade unions offer training programs and apprenticeship options to get the practical experience you need. Most will require you to pass the written exam first.

Recertification

You must recertify to renew your certificate every five years. You'll need to retake the written exam. If you can provide proof of 1,000 hours of experience behind the controls, you can skip the practical exam.

Crane Operator Training Courses

Before you sit for the exams, you'll need to be trained to meet OSHA standards for safety and operation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are an average of 42 deaths each year related to crane accidents, mostly from items that fall on bystanders, workers or operators.

The primary function of the job is lifting heavy loads, which can cause serious damage to people and property. Here are some of the most common hazards encountered in the workplace:

Electrocution: Coming into contact with electrical lines, generators or other powered circuits can lead to electric shock.
Falling loads: Improperly secured or unbalanced loads can lead to dropping part or all of a load on coworkers or bystanders.
Struck-by hazards: Movements that impact other equipment or personnel are common thanks to swinging loads.
Caught in between accidents: Construction equipment can pin workers and crush them.
Transportation accidents: Moving cranes from one location to another presents dangers like tipping, collapse or even catapulting.

These accidents are preventable with the right training.

OSHA Education Center offers several 100% online courses to help prepare you to work as a heavy equipment operator and pass your written certification exam, including training on:

Crane Safety in Industrial and Construction Environments

This interactive course focuses on safe operation and the hazards associated with working on and around cranes. You will learn federal regulations along with policies, procedures and best practices for safe operation.

This lesson covers:

Types of cranes
Common hazards and safety standards
Completing an equipment safety inspection
Preparing a boom crane for a lift
Lifting, moving and landing a load

You will also learn the basics of safety for industrial and construction environments.

Completion of this course is a first step toward preparing to take the NCCCO written exam.

Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Elevators and Conveyors Safety Training

This one-hour education program teaches the important safety aspects of heavy machinery, including in-depth discussions of:

Cranes and derricks
Material hoists
Personnel hoists
Overhead hoists
Elevators base-mounted drum hoists
Conveyors

This program is especially useful for learning the differences between common load-moving devices and learning how to safely interact with each one.

Why Choose OSHA Education Center?

OSHA Education Center makes it easy for you to get online training on your schedule. Access training materials from any internet-connected device, including your smartphone.

Work online at your own pace! When you sign off, our online learning platform will remember where you left off and will continue whenever you sign back in.

Each training program offers a mix of text, audio and video to help you visualize and understand the safety requirements. Most take about an hour to finish.

When you sign up for these high-quality training courses, you will have 90 days to complete the coursework. As soon as you're done with the online training, you will receive an official Certificate of Completion. Download and print it immediately — as many times as you want.

There is also OSHA-authorized Outreach Training available, such as:

10-Hour Training for Construction, including everything you need to get your DOL OSHA 10 card
30-Hour Training for Construction, including everything you need to get your DOL OSHA 30 card

Depending on the job role and employer, you may need one of these certifications as well.