How to Become Crane Operator in Canada

Cranes are essential lifting equipment used in many industries including the manufacturing industry. Crane operators lift, move and place materials by operating equipment such as a Jib Crane, an Overhead Crane, a Mobile crane or a Tower crane. A Jib Crane is used in a small workspace for repetitive lifting tasks and involves motorized lifting and manual horizontal movement of the load. An Overhead Crane operates on an elevated runway structure to lift loads and move them horizontally over large indoor or outdoor work areas using pendant or remote control. A mobile crane is driven to a jobsite, positioned and secured with outriggers and uses a telescopic boom to move a load. A tower crane has a stationary tower with an outstretched jib that rotates 360 degrees high above a construction site to build outdoor structures. Looking at how to become a crane operator can help you decide if this could be the right career choice for you.

Educational Requirements

Crane operators need to complete secondary school to acquire key skills like communication and mathematics. If you haven’t yet completed your education, it’s worthwhile to take courses related to general industry and construction.

Training

Next, you’ll need to enroll in a training program that enables you to work as a crane operator in your province. If you want to work in more than one province, choose a program that is widely recognized. This initial training may last anywhere from six to 12 weeks. Expect a combination of theory and practical instruction. Overhead Crane training programs are generally 1 to 2 day courses but may be longer depending on Provincial requirements. A rigging course is usually a prerequisite or may form part of the training program.

Apprenticeship

Gain experience operating a mobile or tower crane by working as an apprentice. Most apprenticeships last between six months and six years, giving you the chance to operate this type of crane for 1,000 to 6,000 hours. These jobs are usually paid, although you’ll likely earn between 50 and 80 percent of what you’ll receive when you have the full certification. Apprenticeships are not required for Overhead Crane operators, however new operators must work under the direct supervision of a competent Overhead Crane operator until they have been deemed competent by their employer to work unsupervised.

Crane Operator Exam

To become fully certified as a crane operator, you’ll need to pass a written and practical crane operator exam. Again, this will be specific to your province. Before you can take the exam, you’ll need to fulfill certain prerequisites — for instance, you’ll need to have operated a crane for a certain number of hours. You’ll need to achieve a minimum grade to receive a qualification. Certification is not available for Overhead Crane Operators or Jib Crane Operators, however they must be deemed competent by their employer before they are permitted to operate these types of cranes.

Driving License

You may also need to pass a driving exam for the type of crane you want to operate. For example, you may need a specific kind of license if the crane is a large vehicle with air brakes.

Qualifications from Abroad

If you are an immigrant and qualified as a crane operator abroad, you may be able to skip some of the above steps to become certified in Canada.

Receive the training you need to pass the overhead crane operator exam in Alberta with a course from the Manufacturers’ Health and Safety Association (MHSA). First, you’ll need to complete the MHSA Basic Rigging course to learn about how to select , inspect and use rigging to properly attach loads to a crane hook. Then, you need to take the MHSA Overhead Crane Operator-Standard course for lifting, moving and placing symmetrical loads, and you can round out your training with the MHSA Overhead Crane Operator-Advanced course for lifting moving and placing non-symmetrical loads, turning loads over or making dual-crane lifts. These courses utilize hands-on classroom and practical training. Each course only takes one day to complete. Check our calendar to find the next available dates.

Safety Scoop July 2021: Work Site Inspection Preparedness

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An inspection is a careful examination of a work site to identify any hazards, defects, unsafe behaviours or conditions that may be present. Inspection findings are compared to company and code industry standards to ensure a work site is compliant, and/or to determine if additional protocols are necessary. Employers are legally required to maintain a safe and healthy working environment that lowers the risk of injury and increases productivity for all.

Here is the scoop:

• The different types of inspections

• How to prepare for an inspection

• The safety tools you must have available to your workforce

• How to recognize different types of hazards

• Additional inspection training resources

• And much more…

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Hazard Assessment 

This MHSA course teaches you how to properly identify, assess and control workplace hazards in accordance with Alberta OHS legislation. Participants will learn the MHSA basic method of recognizing, evaluating and documenting workplace hazards.

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Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!

Working in Extreme Heat

As the heat waves continues to scorch the province, it’s important to keep yourself and others safe from the dangers of heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other related health risks.

The below resources will help you learn about the health risks associated when working in extreme heat situations and how to protect your workers:

• Working in extreme temperatures: hot environments

• Working in summer

• Best practices: Working safely in the heat and cold

3 Reasons Safety Training is Important in the Workplace

Companies have a responsibility to ensure the social, physical, and physiological well-being and workplace safety of all who enter into their facilities. in terms of their well-being and workplace safety. On-the-job injuries and incidents are never acceptable, but unfortunately, they do happen. While businesses cannot guarantee zero on-the-job accidents in the workplace, there are steps that businesses can take to minimize the risk of such unfortunate events.

Comprehensive and robust health and safety programs in the workplace can minimize injuries by ensuring your workers follow safety guidelines.

Here are three main reasons why Health & Safety programs are indispensable for your workplace.

Ensuring Employee Well-being

On the job training plays an essential role for overall safety of workers in all positions within an organization. Research has shown that training must begin on day one to enable employees to understand safety practices and procedures with confidence to prevent incidents and injuries. A good training program allows employees within all positions to identify the risks and hazards that their jobs entails. As such, they can perform their tasks in a way that doesn’t expose themselves and others in the workplace to any added dangers.

It is vital and essential to train the workers according to their unique functions and responsibilities within the organization. For instance,field labourers would encounter entirely different risks in their duties and tasks than clerical or administrative workers. Therefore, health and safety training tailored to the roles of different employees can produce better outcomes, job retention, injury reduction and compliance of regulations.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Companies don’t merely have an ethical obligation to ensure the health & safety of their employees and visitors in the workplace. They are also legally bound to provide safety training to their employees, contractors and guests. In addition, the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations provide comprehensive documents outlining safety standards for organizations.

Some provinces and territories require compliance with additional regulatory frameworks. Refer to local provincial and federal regulations to ensure compliance and understanding of the specific guidelines. Ignoring these guidelines can not only put your employees in harm’s way, but it can also put your company in serious trouble in the event of an incident, injury or if regulatory bodies find evidence of compliance negligence. This could mean costly fines and/or citations, including the prosecution of criminal charges and jail time.

Cost savings

On-the-job injuries can be extremely costly for a company. Expenses and costs could include medical expenses, insurance, replacements for damaged equipment, for instance.

On the other hand, should an injured employee file a lawsuit or a fatality or major incident occur and charges are laid by provincial or federal agencies, the legal expenses can be immense and crippling to a company of any size. Personal injury lawsuits are highly costly—not only in monetary terms, but also in terms of your company’s reputation.

Workplace accidents often happen in the absence of training programs. A comprehensive and well-managed health and safety program in the workplace will ensure these risks are minimized, save your organization money, and protect your organizational reputation.

Wrapping Up

Organizations can proactively play their essential role in ensuring their employees’ safety through health and safety program implementation and management. These programs, which will include policies, procedures, inspections, and training, are key components in ensuring and promoting a safe workplace for everyone. This will increase morale, create a strong safety culture, and save your organization from potential problems such as non-compliance, government inspections, litigations, reputational damage, and more.

Safety Scoop June 2021: Potential for Serious Injury (PSI)

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A PSI is any event where, under slightly different circumstances, a reasonable person could determine a high likelihood for a serious injury to happen. Learning about PSIs is essential to creating a safe and healthy workplace - from identifying where PSIs can happen to preventing and reporting them.

Here is the scoop:

• How to identify a PSI

• Assessing PSI reporting data over the last several years

• How to prevent, investigate, and report a PSI 

• MHSA courses that cover PSI reporting and training in Alberta

• And much more...

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Many MHSA courses contain practical training that focus on preventing, reporting, and navigating PSIs in the workplace. Navigating OHS, Principles of Workplace Investigations, Basic Rigging, Overhead Crane Operator and more!

Principles of Workplace Investigation

This newly-adapted, one-day course will allow participants to gain an understanding of the purpose and benefits of conducting investigations, the steps to follow and evidence to gather to conduct a thorough incident investigation.

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Other MHSA courses that cover PSI training include Navigating OHS, Basic Rigging, Overhead Crane Operator, and more!

Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!

Is Forklift Training Really Necessary?

Too many employers who use forklifts at their worksites make the assumption that possessing a driver’s license is sufficient to operate this piece of machinery. In fact, it’s crucial for the safety of operators and pedestrians alike that drivers receive proper forklift training. In addition, Alberta OHS legislation states that employees must pass appropriate training before they may drive a forklift. (Note that regulations refer to the machinery by its technical name: powered industrial truck.)

What Does Forklift Training Cover?

The theory side of forklift training teaches participants about stability. This covers areas including centrifugal force, leverage, speed, and centre of gravity. Participants also learn about the Alberta OHS legislation related to forklifts as well as guidance to understanding company policies. The practical side of the training teaches participants skills to correctly handle a forklift, including in hazardous locations, on various surface conditions, and when stacking and unstacking loads.

Passing the Course

Initially, participants need to demonstrate that they know how to conduct a pre-inspection, maintain activity logs, and ensure a safe environment for others. To pass the course, participants need to complete a written exam and demonstrate their practical skills by operating a forklift. The written portion requires that participants understand triangle and trapezoid stability, whereas the practical assessment checks participants’ knowledge of proper technique, including basic operation and load handling techniques.

Who Should Receive Forklift Training?

Anyone who uses a forklift needs to receive appropriate training. Before enrolling in a course, employees should operate a forklift under supervision from another competent for at least 10 hours. Upon completion of the course, participants will know how to use Classes 1 to 5 and 7 vertical mast forklifts.

Refresher Courses

Employers can require workers who have completed a course in the past to take refresher training. This may be necessary if an employee is operating a forklift in an unsafe manner, such as when this results in an accident or near miss. In addition, employees may need to take refresher courses if worksite conditions change, particularly if there are new safety concerns, or if an employee used to driving a certain type of forklift needs to start operating another type.

It’s crucial to ensure your employees are up to date with their forklift training. Calgary workers can receive the training they require in a single day from MHSA. Our course combines classroom instruction and practical training to prepare workers to operate machinery safely. Check our calendar to find our next available dates.

Review of Bill 47: Ensuring Safety and Cutting Red Tape Act 2020

Bill 47: Ensuring Safety and Cutting Red Tape Act 2020 aims to improve workplace health and safety through updating current labour laws. Bill 47 brings balance to workplaces by simplifying legal language, removing unnecessary barriers for job creators, and creating a sustainable compensation system that workers can rely on if they get ill or injured on the job.

Attend our free webinar on Wednesday June 23rd at 10:00AM with guest speaker, Quinto Vizza.

Learn what Bill 47 means for Alberta, your company, and your employees. Topics will include updates on the HSC, HSR, and OHS Program requirements, adding radiation protection laws to the OHS Act, and more.

To download and review the complete list of changes to the OHS Act, click here.

To register for the free webinar, email registration@mhsa.ab.ca

MHSA May Course Promo

Did you know that it is Occupational Safety & Health Week? In honour of this, we are excited to offer a limited time, 20% off course promotion*! Even if you are not an MHSA member, you can take advantage of this special offer.

To register, browse our Course Calendar for upcoming courses in May. Then email registration@mhsa.ab.ca or contact your Regional Office.

If you are not an MHSA member, include the discount code HS2021 in your email.

If you’re already an MHSA member, the discount will be automatically applied to your account!

We offer a range of health and safety certification, designation, and training programs. All of our 3 locations across Alberta have full protective measures in place to accommodate both in-person and virtual courses.

There has been no better time to improve workplace wellness and safety. Take advantage of 20% off and register today!

*Restrictions apply. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer only applies to MHSA-led courses. Courses ineligible include courses offered through Bistrainer and the following:

• Fall Protection

• Reasonable Cause and Supervisor Training

• Train the Trainer

• First Aid Training

Safety Scoop May 2021: Workplace Hazards: Harassment & Violence

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Do you know what part YOU play? Employers, supervisors and workers have a shared duty to create a positive, healthy and safe working environment. Here is the scoop:

• Hazard identification, harassment is a hazard

• Workers three basic rights

• Forms of harassment and violence

• Warning signs and impacts

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Every worksite in Alberta must have a harassment and violence prevention plan in place. This one-day course will not only comply with OH&S regulations, but will also uncover the realities and costs these types of hazards present to your organization.

Watch this video and learn more about our Workplace Harassment Training.

Go to our course calendar to see availability in your region, and register today!

WCB-Alberta: Virtual Effective Disability Management Programs Course

WCB-Alberta recently released the following opportunity!

You know your business and we know return-to-work; together, we’d love to help you build (or enhance!) your program. 

 As an employer, you care about your people. Their health, safety—their ability to recover when hurt, are all things that you are working hard to support everyday.

 Our priority is to help injured workers get back on the job safely—but we don’t do this alone.

 As an employer, you play a pivotal role in managing injuries within your workplace . Promoting early and safe return to work for your employees is the key component of an effective disability management program and will help to reduce the human and financial costs associated with an injury.

 In addition to our free online seminars, WCB-Alberta has recently partnered with the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (Nidmar) and Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences (PCU-WHS) to promote disability management with small to mid-size employers. To pilot this partnership, Alberta employers are invited to participate in PCU-WHS’s online Effective Disability Management Programs course. We recognize that 2021 continues to challenge employers, so to help, we are making this course available to small and mid-sized WCB account holders (Alberta accounts) at a 50% discounted rate of $125 (total value $250).

 Whether you’re in the process of setting up a disability management program, or want to refine an existing one—this course can help you by providing the foundational skills and knowledge required for a successful program.

 Space is limited and we’re getting started right away!

Three dates are available for Alberta employers - May 12 and June 16 & 24. To save your spot, contact WCB’s Industry Support team today by phoning or emailing Nadia Iwata at 403-205-8051 or nadia.iwata@wcb.ab.ca. Please include your preferred date in your response.

Upon completion of the program, you will have access to direct support from a WCB Industry Specialist as you begin to incorporate new disability management strategies into your organization.

We look forward to hearing from you.