Did you know there are 43,400 crane operators in the country, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics? These talented individuals require several qualifications, like certifications from the NCCCO, NCCER, and OSHA. But certifications are just the tip of the iceberg—there are several additional critical skills worth picking up if you want to be a successful crane operator.
With this in mind, here’s a look at 4 of the most critical crane operator skills for success.
1.Spatial Awareness
Picture this: you’re operating a crane to hoist a heavy load up a mine shaft. The task at hand has your undivided attention, but you’re so focused that you’re unaware your load moment indicator display is blinking. It indicates that the load being lifted is too heavy for your cranes position, but you don’t notice it, and the line snaps.
This is the kind of nightmare scenario that results from crane operators having poor awareness of objects around them in relation to where they are. Medical experts refer to this as spatial awareness, and it’s one of the most critical crane operator skills because of the potentially deadly consequences that result from a lack of it.
2.Clear Communication
Another critical crane operator skill is communicating as succinctly as possible. The key is to communicate using the least words possible so you can radio information quickly and clearly. Why? Because this is a massive contributor to safety in places where cranes are often used, such as construction sites.
The less time you spend communicating a point, the more time you have to focus on operating the crane as best as possible. This is vital because crane operations require a great degree of multi-tasking; You must move the boom, account for factors affecting the load, and monitor metrics conducive to operational efficiencies like the load weight and the angle/height of the boom simultaneously.
3.Sound Understanding of Physics & Math
What happens to the force on an object if it sways back and forth on a short line compared to a longer one? How does the angle of the boom affect the pressure it’s under when a crane’s being operated? How does data from a wireless crane anemometer and anti-two block device factor into the speed with which you move the boom and raise/lower the load?
These are just some of the questions you must solve on the fly to be a successful crane operator. In other words, it’s imperative to have a solid understanding of various physics principles like Newton’s Second Law and wind dynamics. It’s also worth having a good grasp of equations to calculate things like torque and instantaneous wind speed.
Crane Warning Systems Atlanta Provides Crane Operators With the Tools Required to Work As Effectively As Possible
So, you’ve got the qualifications required to work legally as a crane operator. You also have the critical crane operator skills mentioned above. The only thing left is to operate a crane outfitted with state-of-the-art indicators—and that’s where Crane Warning Systems Atlanta comes in!
We supply some of the finest Rayco Wylie crane indicators on the market, including load moment indicators (LMIs), wireless a2b devices, and much more. We also provide wiring diagrams and 24/7 troubleshooting assistance to help clients make the most of their purchases.
Get in touch with our team today to source top-tier LMI systems for cranes from a supplier with over 20 years of experience.
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