Crane Training In Calgary – Knuckle Boom Cranes Under 16,000 Pounds

Courtesy of Craneworks Canada

Question: Who’s Responsibility is it to make sure that the operator is trained on the equipment they work with daily?

Answer:  Everyone who is around the equipment.  The business owner’s in many cases, has over $200,000 invested in just the truck & crane package that is servicing the Oil patch in Alberta.  That does not include the tools and many other aspects I’ve not mentioned.  So when you hire an operator, why then would you send him out without the proper foundation?  Many oil companies are now recommending they have our 1-day crane operation certification as part of the criteria.

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One of the biggest mistakes I see operators doing, is standing under the boom or just off the side while lifting the load on remote control cranes, while in part it’s due to the single operator having to do many things at one time (or trying to), it’s the lack of a proper “foundation” of training.  The solution would be to attach a simple, $8.00 item to the load called a “tag-line”.

I know this sounds very simple in nature, and for the most part it is, however our crane familiarization program, provides the foundation for a good operator, not making them a good operator.  it’s much like teaching someone to drive in one day, IF they are given the proper foundation, they develop from there.

1-Day Light Duty Oilfield Picker Certification

Our one-day light duty oilfield picker certification training course covers all sizes of light duty cranes and boom trucks that do NOT fall under the provincial apprenticeship program for Cranes and Hoisting Equipment Operator.

Basically if your crane can’t lift 8-tons up close on the load chart, our training will work for your compliance.

See our FAQ page for more details or click HERE for all of the details.  Edmonton picker training is something we have been doing for the past 8 years and many of our customers keep coming back as our program has evolved over that time to reflect changes from CSA.

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Truck Mounted Forklift Training Program

Moffett, Princeton, Palfinger, Donkey,
Truck Mounted Forklift Operator Training

It’s been overdue and forgotten that the forklifts carried on the back of the trucks and trailers we see every day moving down the road are funny looking – yes, difficult to operate – no, but very unique in their own way.

They clearly have 3-wheels, look like an all-terrain forklift of which they are and they also move product to places that aren’t normally accessible by a crane or certainly not by carrying.

Roofing companies like Roofmart as well as Totem, Rona, Home Depot and others have now switched or are switching over from crane delivery to using a truck mounted forklift.

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The reasoning is two fold, bigger knuckle boom cranes fall under a Licensed Crane Operator requirement which is a good thing, however the costs associated with that have become a challenge.  Particularly in Alberta where labor isn’t as easy to find as it was before.  Now the TMF or truck mounted forklift comes in and makes it very easy to put an operator in the chair.  But…given the fact that it has only 3-wheels makes it an easy target for tiping over in a fast turn as well as driving on the hill slope.

Our training program is 4 hours long, very comprehensive and teaches the do’s and don’t s of operating a TMF in Alberta.  All too often many of the units we see are running down the road installed incorrectly by the operator and either hanging down too far, no slack on the chains or the steering wheel is in the wrong position and it goes on.

If you are a business owner, you may want to consider our certification training, I can assure you that with my 15-years experience, your operators will learn a thing or three.

 

Operator Certification For Knuckle Boom Cranes

Knuckle Boom Cranes or Picker Trucks, Articulated Loader Cranes, whatever the term you have heard or know, the irony in Alberta, and many other provinces, is that unless the crane picks up more than 16,000 pounds, you are not required to have a “ticketed” operator (someone who is in the provincial apprenticeship program), however in Alberta, we have a very large concentration of small pickers and sadly, with that we also have the the highest “incident” rate simply due to the large population.

I’ve come across many companies that feel they don’t need the operators to be trained in any manner, it’s much like saying that we believe in safety…kind of.  That mindset is one that will get that business into a great deal of difficulty one day, and as I tell my students, it’s not a matter of “IF”, it’s simply a matter of “when” something happens.

I love to train and the real truth is that I’ve yet to see any company that does what we do as well as we do.  The real fact of the matter is that we would like to see changes to the legislation or rules, to include our training as mandatory, not simply because it would keep us very busy but it would help business owners ensure that for one year at at time, their operators will be much easier on their equipment and reduce the business owners operating costs somewhat.

I’d love to talk more to the owners about what it is we do, we welcome your phone calls or emails to really get down to talking about how we can help you save on wear and tear and equipment failure.

 

Proper Crane Operators – Knuckle Booms Only

Crane Operators Training Picture
Rear Mount Crane

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s in the companies best interest to provide the proper crane operator familirization program for anyone who is operating the knuckle boom crane.

Sadly I’ve seen it first hand an accident where it was totally preventable but instead, the operator took a short-cut and while he didn’t loose his life, he came very close but I am hopeful that the “take-away” was a life long lesson on setting up the crane truck responsibly.

I’ve only come across 2-other companies that offer knuckle boom crane operator training and one is Fulford group in B.C. I highly recommend them for anyone in B.C who is looking for training, they meet the BCACS standard and do a great job.  The other is a forklift company that provides knuckle boom crane training, right along-side their lift truck training, genie lift and others.  What do they know about knuckle boom cranes? Talk to them first then call us to see. If you are looking for the basics on what is a knuckle boom crane, how a picker truck operates, what is the best rigging to use, safest way to set up, and for hands on knowledge, I can think of only one company that can provide this service…and you are already here!

Take the costs out of it, look at the knowledge and practical application and you will find in Alberta, only one company who fits that criteria.

Get Started today, call The Crane Safety Group at (844) 334-8847 or email us for overview and to talk directly with the instructor.