Crane crew supervisors are present to supervise crane operations. They keep an eye on safety and make sure regulations are followed. The supervisor makes quick decisions to resolve problems.
Crane crew supervisors typically perform the following duties:
Coordinate and supervise the activities of a crane crew, including crane operators, riggers, and signalers.
Assign tasks and responsibilities to crew members, ensuring proper utilization of resources and adherence to project timelines.
Conduct pre-operational checks and inspections of cranes to ensure they are in proper working condition and comply with safety standards.
Review project plans, specifications, and lift plans to determine the appropriate crane selection, rigging techniques, and lifting procedures.
Provide guidance and direction to crane operators and riggers regarding load placement, rigging methods, and safety protocols.
Monitor and assess work areas for potential hazards, such as power lines, uneven ground, or unstable surfaces, and implement appropriate safety measures.
Ensure compliance with safety regulations and best practices, including proper use of personal protective equipment and adherence to rigging and lifting procedures.
Oversee the rigging and lifting of heavy loads, ensuring that proper rigging techniques, load securement, and lifting equipment are used.
Monitor crane operations to ensure efficient and accurate movement of loads, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.
Conduct regular inspections and maintenance of cranes and lifting equipment to ensure their proper functioning and compliance with safety standards.
Communicate and coordinate with other personnel on-site, such as project managers, site supervisors, and contractors, to facilitate smooth crane operations and address any issues or concerns.
Train and mentor crane operators and riggers, providing guidance on safe operating practices, equipment maintenance, and professional development.
Document and maintain accurate records of crane operations, including lift plans, safety inspections, maintenance logs, and incident reports.
Stay updated on industry trends, regulations, and advancements in crane technology and safety practices.
Crane crew supervisors work in various environments, including construction sites, industrial facilities, ports, and shipyards. The work is physically demanding and may involve working at heights, in confined spaces, or in adverse weather conditions. They may need to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings, to accommodate project requirements or emergency situations. The role requires excellent communication and leadership skills to effectively direct and coordinate a team. Safety is a top priority, and strict adherence to safety regulations, including wearing personal protective equipment and implementing proper lifting procedures, is essential.
The educational and professional requirements for a crane crew supervisor may vary depending on the employer and the complexity of the projects. Typically, a high school diploma or equivalent is required, supplemented with vocational training or an apprenticeship in crane operation, rigging, or a related field. Extensive hands-on experience as a crane operator and rigger is essential to develop the necessary skills and knowledge. In some cases, certification or licensure as a crane operator may be required, depending on local regulations and the type of crane used. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills are necessary to supervise a crane crew effectively and ensure safe and efficient operations.
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
Crane crew supervisor is a Skill level 3 occupation.
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of crane crew supervisor. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of crane crew supervisor with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
These skills are necessary for the role of crane crew supervisor.
Manage health and safety standards: Oversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company’s health and safety programmes.
Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
Plan resource allocation: Plan future needs of various resources such as time, money and specific process resources.
Plan shifts of employees: Plans shifts of employees to ensure completion of all customer orders and satisfactory completion of the production plan.
Evaluate employees work: Evaluate the need for labour for the work ahead. Evaluate the performance of the team of workers and inform superiors. Encourage and support the employees in learning, teach them techniques and check the application to ensure product quality and labour productivity.
Supervise staff: Oversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.
Process incoming construction supplies: Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
Interpret 3d plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
Guide operation of heavy construction equipment: Guide a colleague in operating a piece of heavy construction equipment. Follow the operation closely and understand when feedback is called for. Use communication techniques like voice, two-way radio, agreed-upon gestures and whistles to signal the appropriate information to the operator.
Interpret 2d plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
Liaise with managers: Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.
Coordinate construction activities: Coordinate the activities of several construction workers or crews to make sure they do not interfere with each other and to ensure that the works are done in a timely manner. Keep up to date on the progress of the teams and update the schedule if called for.
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of crane crew supervisor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Construction product regulation: Regulations on construction products quality standards applied throughout the European Union.
Cost management: The process of planning, monitoring and adjusting the expenses and revenues of a business in order to achieve cost efficiency and capability.
Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of crane crew supervisor. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Keep heavy construction equipment in good condition: Inspect heavy equipment for construction projects before each use. Maintain the machine in good working order, taking care of small repairs and alerting the responsible person in case of serious defects.
Set up tower crane: Assist in the installation of a tower crane. Set the mast plumb and pour concrete onto the base to secure it. Bolt the mast into the concrete. Add progressively more pieces to the mast, usually using a mobile crane. Add the operators cabin on top of the mast and attach the jibs piece by piece.
Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
Provide first aid: Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.
Rig loads: Safely attach loads to different types of hooks and attachments, taking into account the weight of the load, the power available to move it, static and dynamic tolerances of all instruments and materials, and the mass distribution of the system. Communicate with the operator verbally or with gestures to ensure the safety and efficiency of the operation. Detach loads.
Recruit employees: Hire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.
Transport construction supplies: Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly, taking various aspects into account such as the workers’ safety and protection from deterioration.
Inspect construction sites: Ensure health and safety during the construction project by regularly inspecting the site. Identify risks of putting people in danger or of damaging construction equipment.
Report defective manufacturing materials: Maintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.
Operate tower crane: Operate a tower crane, a tall crane used to lift heavy weights. Communicate with the rigger over radio and using gestures to coordinate the movement. Make sure the crane is not overloaded, and take into account weather conditions.
Drive mobile heavy construction equipment: Drive movable heavy equipment used in construction. Load the equipment onto low loaders, or unload it. Judiciously drive equipment on public roads when required.
Provide technical expertise: Provide expert knowledge in a particular field, especially concerning mechanical or scientific subjects, to decision makers, engineers, technical staff or journalists.
Secure heavy construction equipment: Secure heavy equipment such as tower cranes or concrete pumps before, during, and after use to prevent damage to the machines, workforce or construction site. Take precautionary steps such as retracting the robotic arm of concrete pumps or bringing the hook block back to the jib.
Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
Follow safety procedures when working at heights: Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent, and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single-person lifts etc., since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.
