Crane and Tower Operators - 53-7021.00

O*NET-SOC Description

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

DOT Titles Included in this O*NET-SOC Code

  • Cantilever-Crane Operator
  • Cherry-Picker Operator
  • Derrick Operator
  • Derrick-Boat Operator
  • Dross Skimmer
  • Locomotive-Crane Operator
  • Monorail Crane Operator
  • Overhead Crane Operator
  • Sorting-Grapple Operator
  • Tower-Crane Operator
  • Tower-Loader Operator
  • Tractor-Crane Operator
  • Truck Loader, Overhead Crane
  • Truck-Crane Operator

Sample of Occupations in this SOC Family

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, and grappling devices, making repairs as necessary.
  • Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.
  • Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking and outrigging under cranes.
  • Direct truck drivers backing vehicles into loading bays, and cover, uncover, and secure loads for delivery.
  • Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms and lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions and damage.
  • Inspect bundle packaging for conformance to regulations and customer requirements, and remove and batch packaging tickets.
  • Inspect cables and grappling devices for wear, and install or replace cables as needed.
  • Load and unload bundles from trucks, and move containers to storage bins, using moving equipment.
  • Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, and placing loads.
  • Review daily work and delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, and special loading instructions.
  • Weigh bundles, using floor scales, and record weights for company records.

Detailed Work Activities

  • clean equipment or machinery
  • direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
  • examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
  • inspect material moving equipment
  • load, unload, or stack containers, materials, or products
  • maintain or repair construction machinery or equipment
  • maintain production or work records
  • measure, weigh, or count products or materials
  • operate cargo handling gear
  • operate crane in construction, manufacturing or repair setting
  • operate earth-moving or other heavy construction equipment
  • operate material moving, loading, or unloading equipment
  • perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
  • read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
  • set up specialized rigging
  • signal directions or warnings to coworkers
  • use hand or power tools