Have you ever walked past a construction site and noticed a crane, with it's massive boom rising into the sky like a huge erector set? Have you walked down a busy city street and looked up to see a tower crane, hundreds of feet above you quietly moving large bundles of construction material on a high rise construction project? Have you ever driven down one of our Interstate Highways, past a huge crawler crane with pile driving equipment attached to the front, or setting huge concrete or steel girders on a new bridge project? If you haven't noticed these cranes working all around you, then maybe you should pay a little closer attention.
The crane industry has had a run of bad luck over the last couple of years, and many changes are in the works. What you might find alarming is the fact that there is no widely recognized requirement for the operators of these machines to be "licensed". There are a sprinkling of municipal requirements for a licensed operator and more commonly there is an industry wide push to have them "certified" either in house or by a third party, but licensing is still a long way away. I find it ironic that you can't get a haircut unless you go to a "licensed" barber or hairdresser, but you can virtually walk, drive, or live within just a few feet of several tons of dangerous machinery and a suspended load, without a licensed operator at the controls.
There is more to the problem in this industry than that. Riggers need more training in selecting, applying, and inspecting rigging. Signalpersons need more advanced training to cover the crane limitations, proper signals, and communiction techniques. Those in control of job sites, need to have more involvement in the placement and use of cranes, as well as more advanced training in the proper procedures for crane applications.
The changes are coming. They will have an impact on the industry, as well as make the exposure to the general public more acceptable. In the mean time, learn to look at what is going on around you. Avoid staying in the vicicinity of a crane if at all possible. Ask questions if the project is close to where you live and you have concerns about a crane swinging over your property.
Do you hire cranes or operators? There are few options out there today to get operators, riggers, and signalpersons certified. But that too is about to change. One organization, the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators is at the forefront of these needs and has been diligently working to resolve thes issues for many years. There are a few other agencies today on the verge of getting accreditation to be able to provide similar certification programs nationwide. Whatever direction you choose to go, make sure you get on board with one of these programs and get your employees certified.
Training is available for all of the classifications of certification, as well as additional crane safety related services. Get assistance from someone who is focused on these problems and has answers to the best direction for you to move in. Watch for upcoming changes in the industry....and watch out above you!
