Even small construction companies can get in on bidding for jobs and competing with other companies hungry for work. You sometimes have to be clever about the way that you compete for tenders and you have to make sure we have the right equipment and materials to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible; we can to keep clients coming back. This can mean using a construction broker to make sure you get the right combo of new equipment and secondhand equipment to help the business succeed. This blog is about finding and choosing heavy construction equipment for your small scale construction company.
Crane operators have one of the most important jobs on any worksite. It might seem like a simple job, sitting up in the crane cabin all day pulling levers and pushing buttons, but the sheer number of workplace accidents involving cranes every year proves this is not the case. That said, crane operators enjoy great conditions such as a median salary well above the national average and an enclosed workspace, unlike many of their colleagues on the ground! For those looking to make crane operation their career of choice, read on to find out how to get a foot in the door.
Starting out
Most crane operators start out their careers as 'dogmen'. The role of a dogman is to carefully affix slings to the objects that need to be lifted, and work with the crane operator to ensure the load is moved safely. In Australia, dogmen require a 'ticket' - a licence certifying completion of an approved training course - from the relevant state workplace safety authority. Typical dogging training takes about a week to complete, and most large cities in Australia will have a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that offers these courses.
Your first job
Most foremen will not hire dogmen with no experience to work on a site that uses tower cranes. This is because in most cases, the tower crane operator does not have line of sight to the load being moved, so communication is generally over two-way radio. Your best chance of getting a start in the industry is to work on a site that uses mobile cranes. These cranes typically handle lighter loads and the crane operator can see what is going on, so the safety risk of hiring an inexperienced dogman is perceived to be lower.
Mobile cranes often work side-by-side with tower cranes on large building sites. After one or two years' experience in the industry, look for a site foreman or project manager that you get on well with, and have a discussion about progressing to working as a dogman for tower cranes. Given the current shortage of skilled workers in the construction trade, foremen are always on the lookout for hard-working staff.
From dogman to crane operator
The next step in your journey to becoming a crane operator is to get a 'Licence to Operate a Tower Crane' issued by your state's workplace safety authority. This involves undertaking another week-long training course delivered by an accredited RTO, as well as passing written and practical assessments.
Once you have your licence, talk to a tower crane operator you get along well with about your career aspirations. Make it known that you have your licence and would appreciate the opportunity to shadow them as they perform their role. If the site is not busy, the foreman may allow you to complete training shifts under the supervision of a more experienced operator, with the goal of completing relief shifts when the regular operator is away.
A crane operator's job can be tough, but the number of tower cranes that dot the skylines of Australia's capital cities proves that crane operation is a skill that is in demand. With the amount of construction work currently on offer around the country, a skilled crane operator will rarely find themselves out of work. Think of getting qualified as an investment in your future - with good hours, great pay and plenty of work on offer, the hard work involved in working your way up is sure to pay off.
Share7 September 2016
