Job description Tower Crane Operator in the North Central Region

Find out what work is like for a tower crane operator in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Crane operators (NOC 72500).

Crane operators

Description

Crane operators operate cranes or draglines to lift, move, position or place machinery, equipment and other large objects at construction or industrial sites, ports, railway yards, surface mines and other similar locations. They are employed by construction, industrial, mining, cargo handling and railway companies. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Work week duration

Crane operators usually work more than 40 hours per week.
More than 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Crane operators have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Operate mobile and tower cranes to lift, move, position or place equipment and materials
  • Perform pre-operational inspection, and calculate crane capacities and weight to prepare for rigging and hoisting
  • Operate pile driving cranes to drive pilings into earth to provide support for buildings and other structures
  • Operate cranes equipped with dredging attachments to dredge waterways and other areas
  • Operate gantry cranes to load and unload ship cargo at port side
  • Operate locomotive cranes to move objects and materials at railway yards
  • Operate bridge or overhead cranes to lift, move and place plant machinery and materials
  • Operate offshore oil rig cranes to unload and reload supply vessels
  • Operate cranes mounted on boats or barges to lift, move and place equipment and materials
  • Operate dragline cranes to expose coal seams and ore deposits at open pit mines
  • May assemble tower cranes on site
  • Perform routine maintenance work such as cleaning and lubricating cranes.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Making repetitive motions
  • Handling material manually
  • Standing
  • Bending or twisting the body
  • Sitting

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Crane operators are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Mining companies
  • Industrial companies
  • Cargo handlers
  • Railway companies
  • Construction companies

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Hazardous conditions
  • Sound and noise
  • Standard safety equipment
  • High places
  • In an enclosed vehicle or equipment
  • Hazardous equipment, machinery, tools
  • Outside, exposed to weather
  • Indoors, environmentally controlled
  • Dangerous chemical substances
  • Extreme temperatures

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 72500), and a list of similar occupations:

  • boom truck crane operator
  • bridge crane operator
  • climbing crane operator
  • construction crane operator
  • crane operator
  • dragline crane operator
  • gantry crane operator
  • hoist operator (except underground mining)
  • mobile crane operator
  • tower crane operator
  • tractor crane operator

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Crane operators in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
Date modified: