Tower crane operator

Tower crane operators work with tower cranes, tall balance cranes consisting of a horizontal jib mounted on a vertical mast, along with the necessary motors and lifting hook attached to the jib. Operators control the crane from within a control cabin, or use radio control.

The duties of a tower crane operator include, but are not limited to:

• Installing cranes on construction sites to hoist materials for assembly
• Monitoring crane operation to ensure safe operation of equipment
• Operating crane controls to move materials into position for assembly or disassembly
• Inspecting the crane and its components regularly to ensure they are in good working order
• Attaching lifting devices to objects to be lifted, such as boxes or beams, according to specifications
• Communicating with other workers on the job site to ensure that they are aware of crane location and activities
• Operating cranes used to lift materials such as steel beams, concrete blocks, piping, and machinery parts
• Inspecting equipment before and after use to ensure that it is safe for operation.

Tower crane operators typically work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. They may work nights and weekends, because construction often takes place during these times. Some tower crane operators may be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They work outdoors in all types of weather and at great heights, so they must be comfortable working in these conditions.

Tower crane operators must be able to see well and have good hand-eye coordination and depth perception. They must also be able to hear well enough to be aware of their surroundings and the signals from the ground crew.

The following job titles also refer to tower crane operator:

tower crane driver
tower crane operative
tower-crane operator

Most employers require tower crane operators to have a high school diploma. Some employers may require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in construction management or civil engineering. These degrees provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to operate cranes safely and efficiently.

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.

Tower crane operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

rigger
mobile crane operator
grader operator
pile driving hammer operator
road roller operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of tower 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 tower crane operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

crane crew supervisor
sewer construction supervisor
bridge construction supervisor
construction scaffolding supervisor
demolition supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of tower crane operator.

• Mechanical tools: Understand machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Mechanical systems: Mechanical systems, including gears, engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Their functions and likely defects.
• 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 are necessary for the role of tower crane operator.

• 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.
• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Inspect construction sites: Ensure health and safety during the construction project by inspecting the construction site regularly. Identify risks of putting people in danger or of damaging construction equipment.
• 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.
• Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
• Interpret 3d plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
• 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.
• React to events in time-critical environments: Monitor the situation around you and anticipate. Be ready to take quick and appropriate action in case of unexpected events.
• 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.
• 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.
• Interpret 2d plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
• 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 tower crane operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• 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 tower crane operator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• 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.
• Operate heavy construction machinery without supervision: Work with heavy construction machinery independently without the intervention of a supervisor. Take responsibility for your decisions and actions.
• 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.
• 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.
• Use remote control equipment: Use a remote control to operate equipment. Watch the equipment closely while operating, and use any sensors or cameras to guide your actions.
• Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
• Perform minor repairs to equipment: Conduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.
• 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.
• Set up temporary construction site infrastructure: Set up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. Put up fences and signs. Set up any construction trailers and make sure that these are connected to electricity lines and water supply. Establish supplies stores and garbage disposal in a sensible manner.
• Test soil load bearing capacity: Test the capacity of the ground to support the load applied to it before installing heavy structures, such as tower cranes, or before driving on it with heavy vehicles.

8343 – Crane, hoist and related plant operators

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References

1. Tower crane operator – ESCO
2. Tower Crane Operator Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climb the Ladder
3. Featured image: By Albert Bridge, CC BY-SA 2.0