William C. (Cliff) Dickinson, Jr.

Crane & Rigging Safety Expert

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Co-Founder & Former President of Crane Industry Services. William C. (Cliff) Dickinson:

  • Works as a subject matter expert on all types of cranes, rigging in the material handling industry
  • Provides expert witness, opinions, accident investigation and reconstruction in legal cases and in state and federal courts nationwide
  • Developed expertise over a 40-year period of leading industry safety and efficiency initiatives
  • Co-founded three companies that serve the crane and rigging industry in different capacities
  • Speaks and trains domestically and internationally.
  • Obtained a US Patent for original design of a lift component that improved safety and productivity
  • Designed training and certification programs used nationally
  • Is an OSHA Approved Surveyor with Signatory Authority for Maritime Shore Based Material Handling Devices
  • Is a certified crane operator, an advanced rigger, an examiner, an inspector and a pilot
  • Serves on or contributes to ASME B30 main and sub-committees and ASME P30.
  • Served on committees formed to assess the knowledge and skill of mobile crane operators, riggers and signalpersons.
  • Has the skill and ability to make training interesting and job-relevant.
  • Is certified by NCCER, the National Center for Construction Education and Research, and by NCCCO, the National Commission for Certification for Crane Operators
  • Qualified through NCCER with expertise in crane operation, Basic — Advanced Rigging, Ironworking and Steel Erection
  • Inspects and tests all types of cranes and lift equipment; trains and certifies personnel

CURRICULUM VITAE

Summary of Qualifications

Cliff Dickinson is a crane, rigging and material handling lifting industry expert. He provides the lifting industry with safety training, lift planning consultation, accident investigation and expert witness services. With more than 40 years knowledge and experience in the crane and lifting industry, including domestic and international consulting and crane-safety training development, Cliff is a crane, rigging and material handling safety authority. He was the OSHA Approved Surveyor with Signatory Authority for Maritime Shore Based Material Handling Devices for Crane Industry Services, LLC which was accredited by OSHA for inspecting these devices. He is a Member of the ASME B30.19 Sub-Committee and an Alternate Member of the ASME B30 Main Committee, a Contributing Member of the ASME P30 Committee and was elected by a group of industry expert peers to serve as President of the Governing Board of an OSHA recognized, ANSI accredited program that certifies crane operators and riggers. He has served as a member on a mobile crane practical exam certification committee and a rigger/signalperson certification committee. Cliff’s industry experience grew from working as a journeyman ironworker to industry expert. His credentials include:

  • Formerly accredited as Chief Surveyor under USDOL’s Maritime Compliance Division for two different companies
  • Co-founder of Crane Industry Services, LLC, Instructional Dimensions, LLC, Mr. Dickinson has extensive experience in training development and delivery specifically designed for the crane and lifting industry
  • Safety Manager for All Crane Rental of Georgia and Superior Rigging, overseeing safety for a large fleet of cranes for projects in multiple states, industries and job sites. Trained and qualified lift truck operators for company and customers
  • Founding Partner of Lifting Technologies, Inc., (LTI) the leading manufacturer of personnel lifting platforms (man baskets) and related lifting products
  • Patented the Quick Claw®, a lifting safety device manufactured and distributed by LTI
  • Co-Founder & Former Vice-President of Crane Institute of America, Inc, a crane safety training company
  • International business experiences conducting safety and crane training in India, Jamaica, Philippines, Trinidad, Aruba, Tobago &Venezuela. Domestic experience in all US states, Puerto Rico and Guam
  • Instructed Train-the-Trainer courses to meet, at a minimum, regulatory compliance with OSHA and ANSI (now known as ASME). Class participants have included OSHA Compliance Officers and staff writers for official OSHA publications
  • Qualified in Federal and State Courts as an expert witness in crane and rigging accidents
  • Licensed in California and Washington State for crane inspection

Work History Summary

2009-Present
Crane Industry Services, LLC, Founder
President of crane safety consulting firm which performs third party crane inspections, crane operator, rigger and Signal person certifications, training for crane operators, riggers, signal persons and supervisors. Chief Surveyor for Crane Industry Services’ OSHA Maritime accreditation. Provides expert witness and accident investigation and reconstruction.

1996-Present
Instructional Dimensions, LLC, Founder
Leads work on new business development. Services include design, development, and delivery of training programs, expert witness work, public speaking and consulting. Founder of e Training, a computer-based, training designed to promote safe lift operations and understanding of ASME requirements and OSHA regulations for the crane and lifting industry.

2007-2008
Superior Rigging and Erecting Company, Safety Director
Safety Director responsible for company’s employees and equipment on job sites as well as at company’s office and shop facilities. Assisted in preparing Site Specific Safety Plans, edited company Safety Manual and monitored job sites. Conducted training for employees. Conducted random and regular site visits at job sites.

2006-2007
All Crane Rental of Georgia, Safety Manager
Safety Manager responsible for employees’ safety and compliance over a large fleet of cranes, rough terrain lift trucks and aerial work platforms. Conducted operation training for company employees and customers’ employees on cranes and rough terrain lift trucks. Prepared job prequalifications, Site Specific Safety Plans and OSHA reporting.

1987-1995
Crane Institute of America, Inc. Founding Partner and Vice President
Corporate Secretary, Chief Surveyor, management of company operations, scheduling, sales, public relations, and program development. Worked as Instructor, Inspector, and Consultant. As Chief surveyor, responsible for all Maritime crane inspections performed by approved surveyors under the Accreditation according to the DOL’s Maritime Compliance Standards; 29CFR part 1915, 1917, and 1919. Certified by OSHA’s accreditation program for Maritime Safety and Health Standards. Performed compliance inspections of mobile and overhead cranes. Developed and implemented crane operator certification program. Conducted classroom and hands on instruction of crane and rigging safety-training programs, provided legal support through accident investigations and reconstruction.

1986
Crane Inspection and Certification Bureau, Inc. Instructor/Inspector
Taught crane, rigging, material and personnel handling safety programs nationally and abroad in accordance with OSHA, MSHA, DOE, Naval and Corps of Engineers Standards. Performed crane and hoist inspections, provided non-destructive testing utilizing various methods. Tested and evaluated material and personnel handling equipment compliance with OSHA’s Construction, General Industry and Maritime Standards. Conducted operator proficiency evaluations.

1986
Siemens Energy and Automation, Inc. Crane Safety Coordinator
Trained, examined, and certified employees in the safe operation of overhead cranes and rigging gear. Developed, implemented and coordinated safety inspections and preventive maintenance program on all cranes and rigging gear. Designed, developed, and published crane and rigging safety manual. Responsible for inspection, purchase, and replacement of rigging gear. Note: Plant operations closed due to corporate consolidation to an out of state location. Elected not to relocate.

1984-1986
Crane Technical Training and Inspection, Inc. Instructor/Inspector
Taught crane, rigging, material and personnel handling safety programs nationally and abroad in accordance with OSHA, MSHA, DOE, Naval and Corps of Engineers Standards. Performed crane and hoist inspections, provided non-destructive testing utilizing various methods. Tested and evaluated material and personnel handling equipment compliance with OSHA’s Construction, General Industry and Maritime Standards. Conducted operator proficiency evaluations.

1972-1984
Journeymen Ironworker, Birmingham, AL
Served an Ironworker apprenticeship and 12 years as a journeyman. Training consisted of classroom and hands-on instruction on job site safety, rigging, welding, steel erection, reinforcement rod placement, and blueprint reading. Skilled in all phases of ironwork including heavy machinery moving and steel erection on most types of construction structures: powerhouses, (both nuclear and fossil fuel) precipitators, coal, handling facilities, bridges, steel mills, paper mills, textile mills, commercial buildings, dams, and towers. Performed supervisory responsibilities erecting and repairing these projects and others according to company procedures, engineering, and applicable Codes and Standards.

Professional Affiliations & Education

  • Serves on ASME B30 Main Committee, Safety Standards for Cableways, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Hooks, Jacks and Slings, (Alternate Member); ASME B30.19 Cableways, (Member); ASME B30.32 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Used in Inspection, Testing, Maintenance, and Lifting Operations (Member); P30.1 Planning for Load Handling Devices
  • Specialized Carriers and Riggers Association’s Task Force for Crane Operator Licensing
  • Held memberships in American Society for Training and Development and Crane Certifiers Association of America
  • Co-Founder and Steering Committee member of SOS, Save Our Seashore
  • Jefferson State Junior College and University of Alabama in Birmingham, AL
  • Licensed, Private Pilot and Drone pilot
  • Iron Worker Apprenticeship, (3 years) Local 92, Birmingham, AL

165 Edge Road Suite 109 | Cell (770) 876-5560 | E-Mail cliff@craneindustryservices.com