Cranes are vital in many industrial work environments, but they can also pose a risk for workers who are not trained properly. It is the responsibility of management or owner of the crane equipment to ensure employees have completed training.
Overhead crane training consists of classroom theory and practical lessons. It is also necessary to obtain a medical certificate that meets Department of Transportation standards. Let OSHA Overhead Crane Training Requirements provide the expert help you need.
Certification
Overhead cranes are used in a variety of industries. They can move bulky or heavy items to warehouse dock areas, transport products through assembly lines and load train cars. For safety, cranes must be properly maintained and inspected before and after each use. An accident involving an overhead crane can cause significant injuries or even death. A 10-year study concluded that 70% of these incidents could have been prevented if training had been available.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) created a safety standard that governs cranes, hoists and rigging. ASME B30 provides specific rules regarding crane operator training requirements. For instance, it explains that a crane manager or owner is required to provide training programs for employees who operate the equipment. The program should be a combination of courses, seminars, and literature, as well as practical evaluations.
A crane operator who passes both written and practical exams is eligible for certification. He or she must take and pass the exam for each type of crane that he will operate. A person has 12 months from the date of his or her first successful exam for each crane type to complete all tests.
In addition to passing the practical and written exams, a crane operator must pass a medical examination to be certified as fit for duty. The test must meet Department of Transportation (DOT) standards and include an eye exam. A person who is unable to pass the eye and eye-hand coordination test may be disqualified from operating a crane.
Crane and rigging operations are very dangerous. Injuries and fatalities are a frequent occurrence, especially when the lifting equipment is improperly used or maintained. A qualified crane trainer will help trainees understand the safety precautions that must be taken to ensure that lifts are safe and secure.
Companies that need to train their own employees can save time and money by taking an online OSHA-compliant course for bridge and gantry crane operators. These classes feature interactive workshops, problem-solving classroom activities and hands-on demonstrations. The courses also offer practice exams and a certificate upon completion.
Physical Requirements
For any individual to work with overhead cranes, they must complete training. This training prepares them to operate the equipment, and it also teaches them what they need to know about these large pieces of machinery. This includes learning how the different components of an overhead crane work together to provide heavy lifting solutions. In addition, the training provides a comprehensive overview of the safety measures that must be taken to prevent accidents from occurring.
While the majority of this training takes place in a classroom setting, there is hands-on practical instruction as well. This helps to make sure the student has all of the information that they need to succeed during the NCCCO certification process. The process includes passing a core written exam as well as specialized exams that are specific to each type of crane.
In addition, the physical requirements for completing the training are fairly strict. This is because working with an overhead crane is physically demanding. Crane operators must be able to stand for long periods of time, and they need to be able to maneuver the machine. They also need to be able to lift the weight of the material that they will be lifting.
Throughout the course, students learn how to use the controls of the crane in both manual and automatic modes. They will also learn about the gears, shafts and bearings that are used in the transmission of the crane. This enables them to recognize signs of wear that could cause an accident or damage the machine.
Another important aspect of training is understanding how to read a load chart. This enables them to determine the maximum capacity of the crane as well as what affects the equipment’s performance, such as load weight, attachments and boom length and radius. In addition, they will learn about the step-by-step procedures for conducting load tests to ensure that the equipment is operating safely.
This information will allow a student to complete all of the necessary checklists during the inspection process. This is essential because a crane must undergo these tests every time it is first commissioned, or after any repairs or modifications are made to it.
On-the-Job Training
Overhead crane training includes a variety of courses to teach students about the safe operation of the equipment. The courses vary in content but should include classroom instruction, hands-on experience and written and practical exams. Whether you are looking for crane operator training or another type of equipment related training, it is important to find a program that meets OSHA and ASME standards.
ASME B30.2 Overhead and Gantry Cranes describes the requirements that must be met for anyone who operates crane equipment. The standard covers the construction, installation, operation and inspection of hand-operated and power-driven overhead bridge, single or multiple girder, gantry or top-running trolley hoists. The standards also apply to add-on crane attachments and devices and the use of these to lift and move a load.
As the owner or user of crane equipment, you have a responsibility to provide training and ensure that your employees are qualified to operate the cranes or hoists they handle. This can be a difficult task since there are so many different sources that offer crane operator and rigging training. You must be careful to choose a program that meets all of your needs and provides you with the proper documentation to show you meet OSHA and ASME requirements.
Crane operator training should be customized to the equipment on the job site. This allows the trainee to learn how to best handle the loads they are going to encounter and how to make adjustments in their work process to ensure the safety of all those working with the equipment. The training can be conducted at Konecranes Training Institute or on your worksite.
All crane operators should have completed training that includes the proper operating techniques, pre-operational inspection and maintenance of their equipment. In addition, many trainers and corporations offer courses that prepare trainees for accredited crane certification tests such as NCCCO (National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators). Once you pass your exams, you will receive certification that you are a trained and competent crane operator. This certification will help you obtain employment at companies that require certified crane operators and riggers for certain jobs.
Online Training
Many third-party organizations offer courses for crane operators, riggers and lift directors. These programs typically include classroom theory and practical lessons. They also require students to pass both a written and a practical exam. Those who pass the exam are awarded certification, which can help them find employment.
During training, students learn the basics of how an overhead crane works and how to inspect it for safety. They will also be taught the proper techniques for loading and unloading materials. They will also be taught how to handle emergency situations and what to do in the event of an accident.
Once they have completed their training, crane operators must be tested. The testing requirements differ from country to country. Some countries only require a written examination, while others require both a written and a practical test. Generally, the written tests are multiple-choice questions and have a time limit of 60 minutes. The practical exams involve lifting a load and moving it through an obstacle course.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has a standard for crane and hoist training that employers can use as a guide. ASME B30.2 offers a list of things that crane and hoist training must cover, from knowing how to operate the equipment, to using the right hand signals and ensuring all the safety requirements are met.
Companies may opt to send their employees through a third-party program or they can create their own onsite training programs. The programs should be accredited by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). They should also provide a predetermined amount of class time, study materials, sample exams and practical lessons.
The NCCCO Overhead Crane Task Force that determined the content of the certification exams was composed of workers from all aspects of the industry-crane operators, trainers, supervisors and manufacturers. Their primary goal was to ensure the safety of all who work with cranes and other lifting devices. These certifications serve as proof that an individual has been trained and is competent to perform a specific job or operation.