Performance Training Solutions endorses the national certification program offered by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) and provides training to prepare candidates for NCCCO examinations.
Individuals wishing to obtain mobile crane operator training frequently turn to Performance Training Solutions to achieve their goal. Individuals new to crane operator training find the courses offered through PTS provide everything they need to secure employment. In addition, those already employed in the industry and need to re-certify benefit from these courses as well.
High Demand For Crane Operators
Crane operators remain in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 44,540 individuals were employed as crane and tower operators as of May 2014. The mean hourly wage for this occupation comes in at $25.75 per hour or $53,550 per year. In contrast, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make a mean hourly wage of $23.09 or a mean annual wage of $48,020. As many states require OSHA crane certification, individuals need to ensure they have the proper training, and PTS provides this training.
Program Overview
The crane operator training program prepares individuals to operate swing and fixed cab mobile hydraulic cranes. Students undergo preparation for and testing on both the written and practical aspects of the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators examination. The PTS program fully endorses the national certification training offered through NCCCO.
Course Description
During the first week of crane training, students learn about the various types of cranes and their uses along with career opportunities in the field. The course likewise covers personal requirements for operators of this equipment. Students learn the basic principles of these machines and master the terminology and nomenclature of the trade. In addition, the training covers the center of gravity and the principles of the fulcrum and lever as they relate to cranes.
Students also undergo rigging and signal person training. Topics covered include rigging hardware, rigging safety, different slings and their configurations, use of tag lines and more. Mobile crane operation safety aspects are addressed along with job site hazards, communications, and various safety issues. Students learn the functions of a crane, such as start up and shutdown, and become familiar with the machinery.
Communication features a major role in the second week of training, as this is an essential skill for any crane operator for safety reasons. Students learn the communication process fundamentals, including lack of common experience, distraction, environmental factors and fear, along with nonverbal and verbal forms of communication. In addition, the training examines the ASME B30.5 hand signals used during crane operation. Operators learn what various signals mean and what machine movement is expected with each signal. During this module, crane power systems are covered, and preventative maintenance and compliance inspections are addressed.
Wire rope is another topic covered during the second week, and operator and computer aids will be discussed. Students learn about load indicators, input devices, and load movement indicators as well as operational quadrants and non-centered lifts. Instructors explain load dynamics along with on-site equipment movement, as operators must be able to understand site hazards and various safety considerations involving movement on uneven ground and powerline contact.
The mobile crane operator school requires three weeks of training, and the third week is dedicated to a variety of topics. Here one learns about load charts and their importance, such as on-rubber and dedication charts. Students learn to assemble and disassemble the telescopic boom attachment and discuss advanced operational techniques. This includes critical and bind lifts along with operating the machine during extreme weather. Lift plan implementation is a topic covered at this time, as one needs to learn about engineering and critical lifts, among other things.
Instructors cover hoisting personnel requirements and the assembly and disassembly of lattice booms. Emergency procedures must be mastered by all students, and the third week of the PTS crane operator training programs covers these topics also. Learn power line contact hazards, accident prevention techniques, and more. Finally, transporting requirements are covered at this time, such as the proper handling and securing of these mobile cranes and their associated components.
Certification
Individuals taking part in the program have the opportunity to obtain NCCCO crane operator certification. This National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators certification is widely recognized, and the NCCCO is a non-profit, independent organization dedicated to establishing and administering a program of certifying crane operators. All crane instructors employed by PTS are NCCCO certified, and the company employs two NCCCO certified Practical Examiners. Students must pass the written and practical exam to obtain this certification.
The Importance Of Crane Operator Certification
OSHA recently changed crane operator regulations, but many remain confused as to what the new regulations require. Basically, anyone without the necessary certification must be supervised at all times, meaning companies must now dedicate two employees to one machine. Without certification, an individual is considered an operator-in-training and must have a trainer present at all times. The trainer must be able to communicate with the operator-in-training and maintain constant visual contact. For this reason, companies now need to ensure all crane operators have the necessary certification, and PTS helps with this.
Contact Performance Training Solutions today to learn more about crane operator training. Our company works with employers to ensure all employees are properly trained and ready to handle heavy equipment without assistance or supervision. With many programs to select from, every employer is sure to find the training their employees need at an affordable price. Financial aid is available and the company works to help veterans embark on a new career. All you need to do is ask.
