Mobile Crane Operations/Rigging Course Description

This course of instruction prepares individuals for jobs as Mobile Crane Operators and Riggers/Signal Persons in the industrial, construction, and maintenance industry. Graduates may find suitable employment with construction companies, ports, refineries and other industries. Students will train to inspect, operate and maintain a crane in accordance to OSHA standards and the manufacturer’s specifications regarding capacity and safe operation. Students will be able to operate cranes of draglines to lift, move, position or place machinery, equipment and other large objects at construction or industrial sites, ports, railway yards and other similar locations. This course includes Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Rigging credentials. Students will be able to recognize the limitations of chain, synthetic, metal mesh, and wire rope slings as well as specific rigging hardware including hooks and similar attaching devices, shackles, wire rope clips, clamps, eyebolts, softeners, and taglines. The student is introduced to lift plans, crane load charts, determining the center of gravity of a load, and using cranes to lift personnel. Students completing the required coursework will receive stackable credentials through NCCER.

Mobile Crane Operators/Riggers should be able to:

  • Operate a wide variety of material-moving equipment according to schedule and instructions from the project manager.
  • Set up the right crane and lift or hoist to complete each task safely and efficiently.
  • Inspect machines and equipment daily and perform routine maintenance procedures and minor repairs as required.
  • Create and update detailed logs of material transportation operations, including information about type of material, movement locations and additional data as needed.
  • Complete all required tasks accurately and within assigned deadlines with limited supervision.
  • Maintain visual and radio contact with the ground operators according to best practice and site safety regulations.
  • Identify and describe various types of rigging hardware.

  • Describe the basic requirements to lift personnel and the basic elements of a lift plan.

  • Assemble and disassemble boom attachments.

  • Identify and interpret the OSHA regulations related to crane communications and explain how to communicate with crane operators verbally and nonverbally.

  • Identify factors related to lifting capacity and explain their significance.

  • Visually inspect the platform, suspension system, and attachment points.

  • Explain how cribbing is used to support loads.

  • Perform a wire rope inspection.