The life in Tower Cranes

Have you ever looked up at those huge tower cranes and thought that you would like to be a crane operator? From the ground, you imagine what it must be like moving giant loads around from such a height, but what is it really like?

The day starts early, checking the weather for an idea of the conditions because for tower crane operators, the weather matters. In particular, the wind is the thing that operators are particularly interested in, because high up, wind can have a dramatic effect on the load as it is hoisted and positioned.

Tower cranes are also very much a team effort, the riggers and spotters work with the operator on every lift, and it is the team as a whole working together that makes for a safe operation. So, on-site, the team will meet and discuss the day’s planned work, going over the previous day and noting anything that didn’t work as it should, and how to avoid that issue again.

Then, it’s the long climb up, but the climb itself is also an opportunity to inspect the crane, looking for loose bolts, bad connections, damage or anything else that could cause an issue. The theme with crane operating is safety, both for the operator and for everyone around them. Once in the cab, the operator is on their own, communicating with the team via radio and perhaps taking a phone call or two, but otherwise, an operator is in the cab for 10 hours a day on their own.

It’s busy in the cab though, with lifts of all kinds going on, and every single one requiring real concentration, safety is always at the core of everything being down, taking directions from spotters and riggers, but ultimately, it’s the crane operator that decides the route for the lift. There is a lot of responsibility as a crane operator, and for many, that is part of the attraction. It’s also a rewarding career, with $100,000+ a year wages being an attraction.

For those who are attracted to it, whether it is the self-sufficiency of being alone in the cab, the idea of working closely with a team or the responsibility of organizing lifts, or maybe just the idea of a good paycheck, high-quality training is essential to acquire the skills and qualifications needed to safely operate a tower crane.

We have exceptional experience training tower crane operators, our course includes both classroom and site training, and prepares you for the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) exams that give you the certification needed to build a successful career as a tower crane operator.