Crane and Tower Operators
Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.
Sample of reported job titles:
Crane Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator, Machine Operator, Mobile Crane Operator, Overhead Crane Operator, Port Crane Operator, Scrap Crane Operator, Winchman, Woodyard Crane Operator
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.
- Move levers, depress foot pedals, or turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, or placing loads.
- Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.
- Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs, as necessary.
- Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
Technology Skills
- Industrial control software:Crane operation control software
- Inventory management software:Inventory tracking software
- Office suite software:Microsoft Office
- Operating system software:Microsoft Windows
- Spreadsheet software:Microsoft Excel
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes:Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment:Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials:Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Handling and Moving Objects:Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Detailed Work Activities
- Clean machinery or equipment.
- Direct material handling or moving activities.
- Inspect material-moving equipment to detect problems.
- Inspect work to ensure standards are met.
- Install parts, assemblies, or attachments in transportation or material handling equipment.
Work Context
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets:95% responded"Every day"
- Responsible for Others' Health and Safety:79% responded"Very high responsibility"
- Contact With Others:77% responded"Constant contact with others"
- Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable:75% responded"Every day"
- Exposed to Hazardous Equipment:70% responded"Every day"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Operation and Control:Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Operations Monitoring:Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Active Listening:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Monitoring:Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Knowledge
- Mechanical:Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 61%Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
- 32%High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
- 8%Less than a High School Diploma
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Control Precision:The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
- Multilimb Coordination:The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
- Depth Perception:The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
- Far Vision:The ability to see details at a distance.
- Rate Control:The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
Interests
- Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Conventional:Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
- Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Work Values
- Support:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
- Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
- Working Conditions:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Work Styles
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Self-Control:Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
- Cooperation:Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Stress Tolerance:Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
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