Production plant crane operator

Production plant crane operators operate the basic technologic cranes during the production process at the given unit by lifting and moving loads (bales, containers, buckets and other facilities) with raw and other materials.

The following job titles also refer to production plant crane operator:

cinder crane technicians
gantry crane operator
wall-crane technician
bridge crane operator
wall-crane operator
crane operators
mobile crane technicians
ingot strippers
gantry crane technician
tower crane technician
production plant crane operators
gantry crane technicians
bottom cat operator
scrap crane technicians
production plant electric crane operator
hot-metal crane technicians
bridge crane technicians
overhead crane operator
cantilever crane operator
tower crane technicians
pit crane operator
charging-crane technician
hot-metal crane technician
cinder crane technician
bridge crane technician
mill crane operator
charging-crane technicians
scrap crane operator
scrap crane technician
bottom crane operator
steel crane operator
charging-crane operator
hot-metal crane operator
cinder crane operator
ingot stripper
wall-crane technicians
mobile crane technician

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as production plant crane operator.

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.

Production plant crane operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to production plant crane operator.

briquetting machine operator
scrap metal operative
container crane operator
crane technician
coquille casting worker

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of production plant crane operator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of production plant crane operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

desalination technician
metallurgical technician
crane crew supervisor
metal furnace operator
followspot operator

These skills are necessary for the role of production plant crane operator.

• Operate railway lever frames: Operate mechanical lever frames housed in signal boxes. Understand different applications of levers such as interlocking or signal receiving; read and comprehend the track diagram and signalling layout mounted above the lever frame. Operate hand-powered interlockings, power frames, mechanical, pneumatic or electric levers.
• Determine the load’s centre of gravity: Establish the centre of gravity of the load moved by a crane or other machinery or equipment in order to ensure optimal and safe movement.
• Determine crane load: Calculate weight of crane loads; compare weighing results to lifting capacities in order to prevent overload and ensure safety.
• Handle cargo: Manage safely the mechanical elements in the loading and unloading of cargo and stores. Stowing and unstowing of products following instructions.
• Liaise with the transported goods’ workers: Communicate and work with the relevant parties involved regarding the transportation of goods.
• Operate lifting equipment: Transport heavy objects using lifting equipment such as cranes, forklifts etc.
• Operate cranes: Operate cranes to move, position, lift or place machinery, equipment or other large objects at various locations.
• Apply various lifting techniques: Use different methods for lifting heavy objects using a crane.
• 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.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of production plant crane operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Non-ferrous metal processing: Various processing methods on non-ferrous metals and alloys such as copper, zinc and aluminium.
• Ferrous metal processing: Various processing methods on iron and iron-containing alloys such as steel, stainless steel and pig iron.
• Crane load charts: Understand crane load charts which detail the features of the crane and how its lift capacity varies depending on distance and angle.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of production plant crane operator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Maintain crane equipment: Ensure appropriate maintenance of crane equipment. Identify and report damage and malfunctions. Replace worn or damaged components if necessary.
• Set up crane: Set up cranes taking all safety measures into account.
• Communicate using non-verbal language: Communicate with colleagues using body language and other non-verbal cues in order to ensure effective communication during operations.
• Provide advice to technicians: Offer help and advice to service technicians in case of machine malfunctions and other repair tasks.
• Operate mobile crane: Operate a mobile crane safely. Take into account the condition of the terrain, weather conditions, load mass, and expected manoeuvres.
• Perform minor repairs to equipment: Conduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.
• Maximise efficiency of crane operations: Minimise crane operations, additional crane movements, or ‘re-stows’ by effectively planning the organisation of containers in vessels. Analyse delivery schedules and movements for maximum efficiency, minimum cost, and smooth operations.
• Guide cranes: Guide a crane operator in operating the crane. Stay in contact with the operator visually, vocally, or using communication equipment to make sure the crane operation is completed in a safe and efficient manner.
• Follow manufacturing work schedule: Follow the planning set up by manufacturing companies’ managers exactly to ensure one production process is not delayed due to another and they follow each other smoothly.
• Perform high risk work: Perform high risk tasks and work that requires close adherence to specific rules and procedures to ensure safe operations.

8343 – Crane, hoist and related plant operators

References

1. Production plant crane operator – ESCO