Mobile crane operators operate mobile cranes to lift, move, position and place materials and equipment. They perform pre-operational inspections. They calculate crane capacities and determine load weight, set up and dismantle cranes and position and stabilize the crane before the lift. They may also participate in rigging procedures. They also perform some routine maintenance and housekeeping of the crane equipment such as lubricating and cleaning.
Mobile cranes are used in many industry sectors. They are very commonly used in the construction of buildings and the assembly of large equipment. They are used on construction sites, warehouses, factories, mines, oil rigs, refineries, railway yards, ships and ports. Mobile crane operators may be employed by rental companies, construction firms, manufacturers, public utilities, transport sector companies, ship builders, cargo-handlers, airports, railways and mines.
Cranes come in different types such as crawlers, truck-mounted, rough-terrain and all-terrain. The boom of the crane may be lattice or hydraulic. Some cranes are fitted with equipment that can perform specialized functions including piledriver, clamshell, dragline, wrecking ball, magnet, heavy lift attachments, tower attachments and luffing jibs.
Some mobile crane operators specialize in different crane functions. In some cases, an operator may work for years on a single large site, operating a single type and size of crane. Operators working for rental companies may rarely work on the same site more than once and may routinely perform a variety of tasks with different types and sizes of cranes.
The majority of the work in this trade is outdoors. Key attributes for people entering the trade are strong communication skills, mechanical aptitude, mathematical ability, excellent visual and depth perception and a high degree of hand-foot-eye coordination. The operation of some cranes is physically demanding as is the handling of accessories.
Mobile crane operators interact with other tradespeople, contractors and customers. The skills of mobile crane operators are transferable to operating other heavy equipment. With experience, operators may move into careers such as business owners, supervisors, trainers and job coordinators.
-
Welder
This occupational analysis identifies tasks performed by qualified welders across Canada. A welder is a tradesperson who uses a wide variety of occupational knowledge, skills and abilities in combination with cutting, gouging and welding processes to tack and weld assemblies and fabrications within a quality control system. The welder must... More >
-
Motorcycle Mechanic
Motorcycle mechanics work on motorcycles and other vehicles such as motor scooters and all-terrain vehicles. They assemble, diagnose, maintain and repair engines, transmissions, drive systems, steering assemblies, braking systems, chassis and suspension, electrical systems, and fuel and exhaust systems. They may specialize in repairing, rebuilding, customizing or servicing these systems... More >
-
Euclid Math Contest
The Euclid Math Contest is an opportunity for students to have fun and to develop their mathematical problem solving ability. Details are available in the full information brochure. More >
-
Automotive Painter
Automotive painters work on the surfaces of motor vehicles, primarily in restoring vehicles to their original condition following damage and subsequent auto body repair. Generally, automotive painting begins when body work has been completed. Some of the duties that an automotive painter completes include: removing exterior trim and hardware; removing... More >
-
Volunteer Centres in Saskatchewan
Volunteer Saskatoon 100-506 25th St East Saskatoon SK S7K 4A7 Tel: 306-975-3477 Fax: 306 244 0583 volunteersaskatoon@unitedwaysaskatoon.ca More >
-
Veterinary Colleges in Canada
The Atlantic Veterinary College University of Prince Edward Island 550 University Avenue Charlottetown, PEI, Canada C1A 4P3 Université de Montréal 3200, rue Sicotte Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada J2S 7C6 The Ontario Veterinary College University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1 The Western College of Veterinary Medicine University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon,... More >
-
10 tips for Daily Learning
1. Look up a new word in the dictionary every day. Try to use it in conversation at least three times that same day. 2. Read for pleasure every day. 3. Math puzzles and tongue twisters are fun - and they help build numeracy and literacy skills as well. 4.... More >
-
Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
A heavy duty equipment technician is a tradesperson who possesses the full range of knowledge, abilities and skills required to diagnose, repair, adjust, overhaul, maintain, operate and test mobile heavy duty off-road equipment. Heavy duty equipment technicians are employed by companies that own and operate heavy equipment, heavy equipment dealerships,... More >