Get Certified 2003 CraneWorks Management Handbook

Certifying crane operators not only adds professionalism to an operator’s job but, more importantly, contributes to jobsite safety. And leading the way in certification is the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (CCO). CCO certification is recognized by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), as well as numerous industry organizations, including the Associated General Contractors of America.

According to Graham Brent, CCO’s executive director, his organization provides an independent, unbiased, and validated assessment of a crane operator’s knowledge and skill. A major focus of CCO’s current activity is offering access to the Practical Exam, which is a skills test involving a mobile crane. Other training companies can provide skills development in preparation for the testing. In fact, CCO recommends taking training in preparation for the exams.

To take the Practical Exam, you have to have equipment available and a CCO-accredited examiner has to proctor the test and mark scores. Then there’s the cost: USD$275 per operator, and USD$500 for Examiner Accreditation.

CCO recommends that candidates or instructors preparing to take the certification exam should use the study materials listed in the Candidate Handbook which can be downloaded from the CCO Web site. Once candidates have taken and passed the Written Exam, they should contact CCO’s test-site coordinator to schedule a Practical Exam.

Sidebar: Simulating the CCO Practical Exam

Now there’s another way to practice for the CCO practical exam — simulator software. Simlog’s software simulates a mobile hydraulic crane equipped with telescoping boom and jib. Making the experience more realistic, a variety of loads and hookblocks, as well as viewpoint changes, are included in the software. Also, boom angle, length, height, radius, and quadrant are displayed, along with a load-moment indicator (LMI) reading.

At the SC&RA Crane and Rigging Workshop in Denver, Simlog released new trajectory following modules in the form of concrete pouring exercises, designed to help operators prep for the CCO Practical Exam’s zigzag corridor following task.

To get started, you will need Simlog’s CD-ROM, licensed for USD$2,500 and installed on a PC, along with two commercial joysticks. Simulated tasks are timed, and other performance criteria can be recorded to review training results.