Crane Operators

Crane operators work mechanical booms and different types of cable equipment to move around materials and machines for usage on a job site. Crane operators are hired when materials and machinery need to be placed in areas where there is no other reasonable mean of transporting. This typically happens when buildings of large heights are involved or if the only means of moving materials into a structure are going over instead of through.

Crane operators are highly skilled operators. This trade requires an amazing amount of accuracy and attention to detail. While this job requires amazing skill, it also encapsulates a tremendous amount of danger. Crane operators have to be aware of and prepared for potential accidents and emergency situations. They must deal with heavy materials, dangerous heights, and crane machinery malfunctions. As we've seen in recent news stories, crane malfunctions do occur and can create extremely dangerous situations. A crane operator must always be around of their surroundings as well as be aware of the current functionality status of the crane itself.

Crane operators heavily rely on other workers and managers on a job site. Operators are normally guided by workers on the ground by radio or signal. They can also receive instruction by the site managers via radio on where and how materials and machinery are transported around the job site. Crane operators are well-known on job sites but in fact, the largest group of operators actually work in other industries such as metal fabrication, equipment manufacturing, ship yards, ports, and the containerization industry.

While a large amount of crane operators learn their skills through on the job training, a number of states are now requiring that crane operators become licensed. 16 states and 6 cities now require crane operators to have a valid license when operating this type of machinery. In the Northeast where Keefe Bartels Clark's main offices reside, there are many states that require this type of license, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. There is also a certification process that crane operators can go through held by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators. This certification is becoming more and more popular and many employers are now looking for this certification in its crane operators.

Crane operators, like other machine operators and repairmen, have faced exposure to asbestos by working directly with the legacy parts on the crane itself. Many companies manufactured parts for heavy machinery in the 20^th century with asbestos. Asbestos, the contaminant causing diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, was used in the manufacturing of products due to its heat resistant properties and insulation characteristics. These parts containing asbestos were heavily manufactured in the 1960's, 1970's, and even into the 1980's. As the cranes would need repair and maintenance, crane operators would come into direct contact with parts built with asbestos such as brakes and clutch mechanisms. As these parts were disrupted, asbestos dust could be created and inadvertently inhaled by the crane operator or become trapped in the crane operator's clothing which could then potentially be transferred to other family and friends.

While many cranes are still in existence from the 20^th century, it is still very possible for crane operators to be exposed to asbestos containing parts. Crane operators need to take all the proper precautions when potentially working with legacy parts that might contain asbestos. Unfortunately, there have been a number of cases where crane operators have been exposed to these asbestos containing parts unknowingly. This has led to lawsuits throughout the country and world against manufacturers of these parts as well as the site owners.