What Do Crane and Tower Operators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Crane and Tower Operators

Crane and Tower Operators operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.

Salary
$64010
Becoming One
Medium
Education
Post-secondary certificate
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job Description

Job Description

Crane and Tower Operators operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions. They also determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.

Other tasks include:

  • Move levers, depress foot pedals, or turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, or placing loads.
  • Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
  • Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.
  • Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes.
  • Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs as necessary.
  • Load or unload bundles from trucks or move containers to storage bins, using moving equipment.

We asked Crane and Tower Operators how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

60%

How meaningful is this job

56%


60% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 56% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Crane and Tower Operators inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed. They inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.

A typical day for a Crane and Tower Operator will also include:

  • Review daily work or delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, or special loading instructions.
  • Move levers, depress foot pedals, or turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, or placing loads.
  • Weigh bundles, using floor scales, and record weights for company records.
  • Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs as necessary.
  • Load or unload bundles from trucks or move containers to storage bins, using moving equipment.

We asked some Crane and Tower Operators a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 42% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 63% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 64% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 7% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 1% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 62% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Crane and Tower Operators also clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs as necessary. They may also direct truck drivers backing vehicles into loading bays and cover, uncover, or secure loads for delivery.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Crane and Tower Operators Load or unload bundles from trucks or move containers to storage bins, using moving equipment. They might also Weigh bundles, using floor scales, and record weights for company records.

In addition, they Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.

To some Crane and Tower Operators, it is also their responsibility to Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.


Working life

Working hours

More than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Crane and Tower Operator, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Do Crane and Tower Operators work in an office-style work environment?

Never
42%


Once a week
22%


Do Crane and Tower Operators work outdoors?

Every day
58%


Never
17%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Builders and The Organizers

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Crane and Tower Operators

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Related to Crane and Tower Operators Job Description

Crane and Tower Operators job description, what do Crane and Tower Operators do, typical day for Crane and Tower Operators, what is it like to work as a Crane and Tower Operator, how many hours do Crane and Tower Operators work, day to day work of a Crane and Tower Operator

Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/transportation-and-material-moving/material-moving-machine-operators.htm
http://www.werc.org/
http://www.iuoe.org/
http://www.nccco.org/


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