53-7021.00Apprenticeship

Crane & Tower Operators

Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.

Career Cluster:Construction
Job Family:Transportation and Material Moving
Job Zone:Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
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Technology Tools

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Windows

Key Tasks

  • Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.
  • 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.
  • Inspect bundle packaging for conformance to regulations or customer requirements, and remove and batch packaging tickets.
  • Review daily work or delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, or special loading instructions.
  • Direct truck drivers backing vehicles into loading bays and cover, uncover, or secure loads for delivery.
  • Weigh bundles, using floor scales, and record weights for company records.
  • Inspect crane site conditions to determine ground stability.

Skills

Operation and Control
72%
Operations Monitoring
69%
Critical Thinking
56%
Active Listening
53%
Monitoring
53%
Reading Comprehension
50%
Speaking
50%
Time Management
50%
Judgment and Decision Making
50%
Troubleshooting
47%
Repairing
47%
Active Learning
47%
Complex Problem Solving
47%
Equipment Maintenance
47%
Coordination
44%
Mathematics
41%
Quality Control Analysis
41%
Writing
41%
Social Perceptiveness
38%
Management of Personnel Resources
35%
Instructing
31%
Persuasion
31%
Learning Strategies
31%
Negotiation
28%
Service Orientation
28%
Systems Evaluation
28%
Equipment Selection
25%
Operations Analysis
22%
Management of Material Resources
16%
Installation
16%
Systems Analysis
16%
Management of Financial Resources
13%
Technology Design
10%
Science
3%
Programming
0%

Knowledge

Mechanical
64%
Mathematics
50%
English Language
48%
Transportation
48%
Public Safety and Security
44%
Building and Construction
43%
Education and Training
40%
Production and Processing
39%
Administration and Management
37%
Engineering and Technology
35%
Computers and Electronics
34%
Design
33%
Physics
33%
Customer and Personal Service
30%
Telecommunications
29%
Personnel and Human Resources
26%
Administrative
23%
Communications and Media
21%
Psychology
18%
Law and Government
17%
Therapy and Counseling
14%
Sales and Marketing
13%
Chemistry
13%
Geography
12%
Economics and Accounting
12%
Medicine and Dentistry
11%
Foreign Language
9%
Sociology and Anthropology
7%
Biology
6%
Philosophy and Theology
6%
History and Archeology
5%
Food Production
4%
Fine Arts
3%

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Abilities

Control Precision
78%
Multilimb Coordination
75%
Far Vision
72%
Depth Perception
72%
Reaction Time
69%
Rate Control
69%
Problem Sensitivity
66%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
66%
Selective Attention
63%
Response Orientation
63%
Manual Dexterity
63%
Near Vision
60%
Oral Expression
56%
Speech Clarity
53%
Visualization
53%
Speech Recognition
53%
Oral Comprehension
53%
Perceptual Speed
53%
Visual Color Discrimination
53%
Deductive Reasoning
50%
Finger Dexterity
50%
Spatial Orientation
50%
Time Sharing
50%
Glare Sensitivity
50%
Information Ordering
50%
Hearing Sensitivity
47%
Extent Flexibility
47%
Auditory Attention
47%
Flexibility of Closure
47%
Inductive Reasoning
47%
Written Comprehension
47%
Trunk Strength
47%
Written Expression
47%
Category Flexibility
44%
Static Strength
44%
Peripheral Vision
44%
Sound Localization
38%
Gross Body Equilibrium
38%
Wrist-Finger Speed
38%
Fluency of Ideas
35%
Mathematical Reasoning
35%
Originality
35%
Number Facility
31%
Speed of Limb Movement
31%
Dynamic Strength
31%
Stamina
28%
Speed of Closure
28%
Memorization
28%
Gross Body Coordination
28%
Night Vision
25%
Explosive Strength
6%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%

Work Activities

Controlling Machines and Processes
82%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
81%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
81%
Handling and Moving Objects
75%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
74%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
74%
Getting Information
74%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
73%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
72%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
70%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
67%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
64%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
63%
Performing General Physical Activities
63%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
60%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
57%
Processing Information
55%
Developing and Building Teams
55%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
54%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
54%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
51%
Thinking Creatively
51%
Analyzing Data or Information
50%
Scheduling Work and Activities
47%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
46%
Coaching and Developing Others
46%
Documenting/Recording Information
46%
Training and Teaching Others
44%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
41%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
41%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
39%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
37%
Working with Computers
37%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
36%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
36%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
34%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
33%
Assisting and Caring for Others
31%
Selling or Influencing Others
30%
Performing Administrative Activities
29%
Staffing Organizational Units
13%

Work Context

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

99%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

93%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

89%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

89%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

89%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

89%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

86%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

84%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

82%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

81%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

80%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

79%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

75%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

75%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

75%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

75%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

74%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

71%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

70%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

70%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

69%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

69%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

69%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

68%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

65%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

65%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

60%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

59%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

59%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

58%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

55%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

52%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

49%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

48%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

46%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

45%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

42%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

41%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

41%

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

40%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

40%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

39%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

38%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

37%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

37%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

31%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

30%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

29%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

28%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

28%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

23%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

21%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

18%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

6%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

2%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

2%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

1%

Education

Post-secondary certificate

61%

High school diploma or equivalent

32%

Less than high school diploma

8%

Interests

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

100

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

49

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

20

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

5

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

3

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

0

Work Styles

Dependability
88%
Cautiousness
87%
Attention to Detail
77%
Stress Tolerance
54%
Integrity
52%
Self-Control
51%
Self-Confidence
33%
Perseverance
29%
Achievement Orientation
27%
Cooperation
20%
Adaptability
11%
Initiative
5%
Sincerity
4%

Work Values

Support
78%
Independence
61%
Relationships
33%
Working Conditions
33%
Recognition
28%
Achievement
22%

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