Description
Operate mobile, overhead, or fixed cranes to safely lift, move, and place materials and equipment, following load charts, signals, and site procedures.
- • Determine load weights and verify them against crane capacities and load charts to prevent overload.
- • Operate crane controls (levers, pedals, joysticks, dials) to hoist, boom, swing, and place loads.
- • Inspect wire ropes, hooks, slings, and rigging; install or replace worn components as needed.
- • Clean, lubricate, and maintain cranes, hoists, ropes, and sheaves; make or report repairs as necessary.
- • Inspect and test crane mechanisms and safety devices (e.g., anti-two-block, limit switches) and adjust to prevent malfunctions.
- • Coordinate lifts with riggers and signalpersons; direct setup of mats, cribbing, or outriggers.
- • Load or unload materials from trucks or rail cars and move items to staging or storage using crane attachments.
- • Weigh loads using indicators or floor scales and record lift data for company records.
- • Review lift plans, work orders, and schedules to determine sequences and special handling instructions.
- • Direct truck drivers backing into loading areas and secure, cover, or tag loads for transport.
- • Inspect packaging, rigging, and labeling for compliance with regulations or customer requirements and collect related tickets.
Related specializations
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
