Lattice cranes, also called lattice boom cranes, are transported by trucks and then assembled on site. Lattice cranes have high capacities and long boom lengths, making them perfect for various applications. There are many configurations of lattice cranes, and their modular design gives them the flexibility to adapt the crane to the specific needs of the project for which it is being used. ATS offers lattice crane training and certifications.

Not all lattice boom cranes are the same. There are three different kinds of these cranes. Here are the options:

• Crawler cranes – These cranes have the advantage of moving with heavy loads for short distances. It has a maximum capacity of 1.600 tons. Because of its compact design, it is an excellent choice if there is a project where there is a limited workspace.
• Outrigger cranes – These cranes consist of a truck crane and the pedestal crane. The pedestal crane is used for projects that are stationary and are capable of transporting up to 2.000 tons. It can be set up rather quickly, providing a lower cost for operation. The truck crane is a substructure made up of a multi-axle truck. This is a highly mobile crane and is drivable on public roadways while carrying up to 750 tons.
• Ring cranes – These are versatile and innovative cranes capable of heavy lifting, which can be used to accommodate the needs of the mining, oil and gas, refinery, nuclear power plants, and offshore platforms.

Crane operators must undergo extensive training and have the proper knowledge to operate a crane safely. Associated Training Services (ATS) offers crane training and has a new lattice crane to help students learn everything they need to know about crane assembly and operation.

Mobile Crane Operator Training

ATS has three different levels of mobile crane operator training. Here are the three levels are broken down for students:

• The first level focuses on hydraulic cranes and large hydraulic cranes.
• The second level focuses on lattice boom cranes and articulated boom cranes.
• The third level focuses on tower cranes and digger derricks.

During the programs, students learn to safely operate the cranes and obtain crane operator certification through the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). To learn more about the programs, call ATS at (800) 383-7364.

The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) is a non-profit agency that was established in 1995. With headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia, the organization’s mission is to develop effective performance standards that promote the safe operation of cranes. Operating a crane requires certifications, training, and skills to ensure the safety of the operator, coworkers, and the general public.

Associated Training Services (ATS) offer a variety of training programs, including those that help individuals train to be crane operators, riggers, or signalpersons. These programs will qualify or certify the trainee so he or she can seek employment in the field and perform their jobs safely and as they should. ATS offers several programs that are customized to meet the needs of the different employers in the fields. Here are some of the different NCCCO certifications that are available to ATS students:

• Lattice boom crane – crawler and truck
• Large telescopic boom cranes – swing cab and rough terrain
• Small telescopic boom cranes – fixed cab and boom trucks
• Articulated cranes – knucklebooms
• Digger derricks
• Tower cranes
• Overhead cranes

Also, NCCCO Rigger 1 and NCCCO Signalperson certifications are available. ATS also offers OSHA-compliant rigging and signalperson qualifications.

The Importance of Certifications

You need to have the proper training and certifications before you go on the job site. If you don’t have the proper certifications, you and your employer could face the consequences, especially if there is an accident with injuries or damages.

To protect yourself and to help you stabilize your career and future, make sure you understand all the processes and get the right certifications. There is a demand for qualified crane operators, so it is a great career choice. To learn more about the crane operator, rigging, and signalperson training available at ATS, call (800) 383-7364 today. Financial aid is available.

Signalperson

Safety is crucial on any site, and this is especially true where there are cranes in operation. When we think of cranes, it is the crane operator that is the job that comes to mind, but there are several other positions that are crucial to safe crane operation, and one of those is the crane signalperson. The crane signalperson is not new, it has been part of construction since industrial cranes became common, and were sometimes called spotters, but what is it they do?

It is the crane signalperson’s job to ensure the safe operation of a crane, working in tandem with the crane operator, to move large loads safely around a site. There are two aspects of the job, the first is the physical inspection of the load and equipment, and the second is guiding the operator during a lift. Beginning with the load itself, the crane signal person should be able to spot issues with the load itself, such as incorrect weight distribution, the load hook is correctly positioned, the rigging chain is set correctly without twists, and so on, and that load weight, position relating to the boom and other factors are all correct.

They also play an important part in the lift itself, firstly, before the load is moved, assessing the hoisting path, including whether it means being too close to any hazards or traveling over the heads of site workers causing a safety issue that must be highlighted and measures are taken to avoid. Once the lift is in progress, the crane signal person directs the crane operator, using a series of special hand signals or a hands-free radio system. In this way, the operator is always kept aware of the precise position of the load, its movement including direction and speed, when to stop, if there are any dangers, and so on. It is a partnership that allows cranes to operate safely.

CCO Signalperson Certification

Accomplishing that needs a good understanding of the cranes themselves, and in many ways, a crane signalperson needs to have as good an understanding of crane operation as the operator themselves, and of course, that means training. Becoming an NCCCO certified crane signalperson is a requirement for employment, and the approved courses that get you certified provide the skills and understanding of both crane operation and the safety aspects of moving large loads on site that are needed to perform the tasks required properly. To be a qualified crane signalperson, there are a few requirements. Passing both the written and practical examinations are essential, without proof of those qualifications you cannot be employed as a crane signal person, you must also be over eighteen years of age and drug-free.

Those qualifications and the skills needed to get them can be learned through a variety of training approaches, however, the best training includes both classroom training and a chance to put those newly learned skills into practice on-site, not only giving the technical understanding needed but the confidence gained from real-world experience to get out there and launch a lucrative career as a crane signalperson.

Two decades ago, the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) was not thought to be such good news. This quote from their recent press release shows that the start was a bit rocky:

“Initial response to what at that time was the new and often misunderstood process of certification was mixed,” recalls Kerry Hulse, who played a leading role insteering the certification process from its infancy and currently serves the NCCCO Board of Directors as Vice President. “But as we sit here today and reflect on the progress that has been made over the years, I can certainly say it has been a remarkable journey—even one that has far exceeded the expectations of those who contributed their time and expertise to this effort for years even prior to the formation of NCCCO.”

But now, after twenty years, the proof of the benefit that nationally recognized certification provides is in the 80% decline in crane-related fatalities where such certification is in place. That’s pretty impressive. Crane operators do a dangerous job and there isn’t room for much error. The consequences of unprofessional standards with heavy equipment are severe because the machine & gravity always are stronger than the human body in an accident.

Mobile Crane Operators Are Safer With NCCCO

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School is proud to offer certified crane operator programs that give the education and practical skills needed to obtain NCCCO certification. Thousands of ATS grads are included in last year’s NCCCO milestone of 100,000 persons being rewarded with their CCO certification card. The professional training you get when you go through a nationally certified program pays off in years of working safely. Accidents do happen in cranes, but being NCCCO certified means that fewer of them happen.