CCO Crane Operators Polled

The construction industry is a better place to work than it was a generation ago, with greater emphasis on crane safety, but there is still room for further improvement, according to a poll of several hundred CCO-certified operators, asked by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). These operators were also asked what still needs to be done to make the industry safer, their response was more training, not just operators, but for everyone on the job site to understand cranes better.

Operators also noted there was need to learn the specifics of each crane, especially with the industry shifting from friction cranes to hydraulics along with increased lifting capacity and lower overall crane weight. Many also mentioned that the addition of computers, electronics and operator aids could lead to complacency.

When asked what advice they would give to a crane operator just starting out, the most responses were “get all the training you can get”, “find an experienced mentor,” and “remember safety first.” New operators should know their limits and not be afraid to ask more experienced operators.