Description of the Tower Crane Operator Trade
Tower crane operators operate tower cranes to lift, move, position and place materials and equipment. They perform pre-operational inspections. They calculate the crane’s lifting capacities according to the crane’s load chart and determine load weight, participate in setting up and dismantling cranes, and position and stabilize the crane before the lift. Tower crane operators work with other workers to make sure the load is placed exactly where they need it. They also perform regular inspections and do minor repairs and maintenance on the equipment.
Tower crane operators work in the heavy industrial, commercial, residential and civil sectors. They may be employed by construction, surface mining, shipbuilding, offshore drilling rigs, railway and crane rental companies. They work outdoors in all kinds of weather, at heights and in noisy environments. Tower crane operators may be required to work in remote job sites.
Tower cranes are used for specific worksite requirements, as they have a smaller footprint compared to mobile cranes and are productive on sites where they will be used for a lengthy period. Some tower cranes are constructed by bolting a base to a specially made concrete pad or a ballasted base, and then erecting a tower (mast) of latticed steel up from it. Engineered counterweights are used to provide stability. On a hammerhead crane, a boom or jib extends horizontally across the top of the crane. A crane cab where the operator sits is installed where the mast and boom meet. Some cranes may have remote control stations and cabs. Luffing tower cranes have a jib that can be raised and lowered. Self-erecting cranes are set on retractable outriggers for support, have a mast and boom, and they are designed to be more mobile and versatile on job sites.
The key attributes for tower crane operators are that they should be mechanically inclined, comfortable with working at heights and have good hand-eye coordination, hearing, vision and math skills. Safety is the number one priority for tower crane operators; they need to work cautiously and with extreme precision to ensure the safety of others. Communication skills are very important to effectively communicate with site personnel, supervisors, riggers, signallers and other tradespeople. Physical fitness and good balance are important as the job requires them to climb up great heights and the operation of some cranes and the handling of accessories are physically demanding. Operators need to be able to cope with the stress and long working hours that can be inherent in this type of work.
The skills of tower crane operators are transferable to operating other types of cranes and heavy equipment. With experience, tower crane operators may move into careers such as business owners, supervisors, trainers, crane erectors and job coordinators. As with other trades, the ability to mentor apprentices is extremely important to pass on the skills, knowledge and expertise of the trade.
Description of the Tower Crane Operator Trade
Tower crane operators operate tower cranes to lift, move, position and place materials and equipment. They perform pre-operational inspections. They calculate the crane’s lifting capacities according to the crane’s load chart and determine load weight, participate in setting up and dismantling cranes, and position and stabilize the crane before the lift. Tower crane operators work with other workers to make sure the load is placed exactly where they need it. They also perform regular inspections and do minor repairs and maintenance on the equipment.
Tower crane operators work in the heavy industrial, commercial, residential and civil sectors. They may be employed by construction, surface mining, shipbuilding, offshore drilling rigs, railway and crane rental companies. They work outdoors in all kinds of weather, at heights and in noisy environments. Tower crane operators may be required to work in remote job sites.
Tower cranes are used for specific worksite requirements, as they have a smaller footprint compared to mobile cranes and are productive on sites where they will be used for a lengthy period. Some tower cranes are constructed by bolting a base to a specially made concrete pad or a ballasted base, and then erecting a tower (mast) of latticed steel up from it. Engineered counterweights are used to provide stability. On a hammerhead crane, a boom or jib extends horizontally across the top of the crane. A crane cab where the operator sits is installed where the mast and boom meet. Some cranes may have remote control stations and cabs. Luffing tower cranes have a jib that can be raised and lowered. Self-erecting cranes are set on retractable outriggers for support, have a mast and boom, and they are designed to be more mobile and versatile on job sites.
The key attributes for tower crane operators are that they should be mechanically inclined, comfortable with working at heights and have good hand-eye coordination, hearing, vision and math skills. Safety is the number one priority for tower crane operators; they need to work cautiously and with extreme precision to ensure the safety of others. Communication skills are very important to effectively communicate with site personnel, supervisors, riggers, signallers and other tradespeople. Physical fitness and good balance are important as the job requires them to climb up great heights and the operation of some cranes and the handling of accessories are physically demanding. Operators need to be able to cope with the stress and long working hours that can be inherent in this type of work.
The skills of tower crane operators are transferable to operating other types of cranes and heavy equipment. With experience, tower crane operators may move into careers such as business owners, supervisors, trainers, crane erectors and job coordinators. As with other trades, the ability to mentor apprentices is extremely important to pass on the skills, knowledge and expertise of the trade.
Skills for Success (Essential Skills) Summary
Skills for Success are needed in a quickly changing world for work, learning and life. They are foundational for building other skills and important for effective social interaction. Everyone benefits from having these skills as they help individuals get a job, progress at their current job and change jobs. They also help individuals become active members of their community and succeed in learning.
Through extensive research and consultations, the Government of Canada launched the new Skills for Success model renewing the previous Essential Skills framework to better reflect the needs of the current and future labour market.
For full descriptions of the Skills for Success including their components and proficiency levels see: Skill components and proficiency levels – Canada.ca.
The following summarizes how such skills are used in this trade. Note that the summaries below are based on the previous model (Essential Skills), and will be adapted in the next iteration of the Red Seal Occupational Standard to match the Skills for Success model.
Reading
In their daily work, tower crane operators read and comprehend several types of text. These include safety and work procedures as well as more complex regulations and manufacturers’ operating manuals.
Document Use
Tower crane operators use workplace documents such as logbooks, load charts, lift plans, hazard assessments and workplace policies and procedures to carry out their job. They must be familiar with regulations relating to hoisting, rigging and safe work environments. They must have the ability to read and interpret manufacturers’ specifications and load charts for the model of crane they are using. Depending on site-specific requirements, they may obtain information from engineered and construction drawings and plans such as climbing schematics and schedules.
Writing
Tower crane operators use writing skills to record comments or notes in logbooks or work records. They write messages to colleagues or management to give work details or reply to requests for technical information. They may also write longer descriptions and explanations for various reporting and data collection forms.
Communication
Tower crane operators use oral communication skills to coordinate work with site crews. Clear communication of technical and complex information is very important to avoid injuries and promote efficiency. Tower crane operators also use communication skills instructing apprentices, co-workers and on-site work crews. Good listening and visual skills are also required to communicate with riggers, signallers and other operators during lifts. Tower crane operators use verbal communication (directly or by radio) and hand signals to communicate the pace of lift movements and precise positioning of loads.
Numeracy
Tower crane operators use a range of math skills in their daily work. These include mathematical and physics concepts such as conversions, geometry, algebraic calculations, measurement and calculating load and lift requirements. They use load charts and manufacturers’ specifications to further determine procedures, limits, and the necessary equipment for rigging and hoisting.
Thinking
Tower crane operators must use decision making skills to perform work planning and prioritizing. The decisions they make about the sequence of work have implications for everyone on site. Tower crane operators require strong analytical skills to effectively use their equipment.
Tower crane operators use problem solving skills to choose set-up locations and crane configurations for specific jobs. During lifts, tower crane operators make operational decisions to start, stop and vary the speed and direction of lifts to ensure safe movement and placement of a load. They evaluate the safety of lifts before and during lifts and stop work if necessary.
Working with Others
To be effective, tower crane operators must establish close and ongoing job-task coordination with other workers on the job site. They work closely with clients and co-workers to plan lifts and ensure that their activities are coordinated with those of on-site crews. The operator may be located high in the operator’s cab and physically removed from their co workers; however, they are in close communication with riggers, signallers and supervisors to coordinate lifts and load placements. Tower crane operators work in close coordination with other operators when performing multiple crane lifts and when in proximity with other cranes and heavy equipment.
Digital Technology
Tower crane operators are increasingly required to interpret electronic data transmitted to them from load moment indicators (LMI), anemometers and electronic scales located on remote controls or in the cab of the crane. Controls for the tower crane may also involve computerized applications. They should familiarize themselves with digital technology used on cranes such as zone control, anti-collision devices and camera systems.
Continuous Learning
As construction methods and crane technology advance, tower crane operators must keep abreast of these developments. Regulatory changes may require additional certification such as for service work, erection and climbing, and ongoing learning to ensure compliance and safe working conditions.
