Personnel Testing and Equipment Inspections Round Out Safety and Productivity Services
Crane Industry Services has a mission to provide excellence in training for crane operation, material handling, lifting operations, rigging, and jobsite supervision. In addition to training and workforce development, CIS offers equipment inspection, minor repairs and maintenance, qualification testing, and certification testing for organizations in construction, utility, and industrial work environments.
Training and Certification
Scott Bridge Co., a highway and rail bridge contractor in Alabama, relies on CIS for training and certification testing. Justin Woodall, safety director for Scott Bridge Co., says the company has had about 20 mobile crane operators certified under CIS’s tutelage. He likes that CIS instructors came to his company’s yard to complete the certification training process. “They were able to come to our location, do classroom sessions, and use our cranes in our yard to do the practical portion of the certifications. Their professionalism and knowledge about certifications, and being able to prepare our guys for written and practical exams to get their certification, impressed us the most,” says Woodall.
He also appreciates the availability of CIS instructors. “Their availability has been great. We’ve been able to get classes scheduled in a timely manner. And, we’ve had good success with our operators receiving certification and passing both written and practical exams.”
CIS provides mobile crane operator, tower crane operator, and rigger training and certification testing. It administers ANSI-accredited NCCER written and practical exams to meet OSHA crane operator certification requirements.
Equipment Inspections and Repairs
“Maxim Crane Works had the largest crawler crane in U.S. history, the Manitowoc 31000, at the construction site of the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta,” says Barry Garrett, crane specialist for Maxim Crane Works. CIS was called to conduct post-assembly inspections of the crane in 2015 for the national crane rental firm. “We can call on CIS to inspect any size crane, and as the world’s largest crane provider, that’s very helpful to us,” says Garrett. “Industrial contractors and commercial contractors are going to third-party inspectors, and it’s important to be able to trust those who inspect our cranes.”
Garrett says Maxim has had a strong working relationship with CIS for about seven years. “We couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with. They are in tune with our schedule—We don’t always have weeks or months in our scheduling for inspections. We give them a call and say ‘Hey, I need something tomorrow’ and they always do their best. That’s big because in our industry we get those same calls from our customers, and we have to jump through hoops, too, to answer those calls.”
In addition to crane inspections, CIS staff offers MagnaFlux testing of crane hooks and wire rope beckets. Magnaflux is a method of determining the structural integrity of heavy construction materials such as the thick metal featured in cranes. This method of testing is able to take a tour inside the molecular structure of metal, as well as its surface, and give inspectors a clear idea of how sound the equipment really is. “CIS makes sure none of those items, the hooks on blocks, the headache balls, or the beckets, exhibit cracks or fusions,” says Garrett.
Larger industrial contractors will require a load test be performed on the specific crane Maxim provides. Though Maxim will perform the load test, it has to be observed by a third-party inspector and meet all criteria specified in the crane lift plan. CIS will send a representative to be a third-party observer, in conjunction with Magnaflux inspection. “We also know Cliff Dickinson, president of CIS, is a renowned authority on crane accidents, and it’s nice to have a contact if there were ever a need,” adds Garrett.
When needed, minor repairs to equipment can be completed while CIS inspectors are on site, making the process as efficient as possible for customers. This might include changing a wire rope; repairing or replacing a remote control; or removing worn components and installing new. CIS will help customers keep equipment in safe, working condition and in shape to be productive.
“Whether you are looking for specific skills training or help with productivity and efficiencies, CIS is uniquely positioned to help you build a qualified workforce—including field personnel, site supervision, and management,” says Debbie Dickinson. Consulting services include lift planning; employee selection and skills leadership development; personnel audits; and tracking of employee qualifications for specific machines, configurations, and uses
Highlighting Top-Notch Careers in Construction
/in Company News /by Tracy BennettIn March, the fourth PowerUP Workshop, held at Alabama Workforce Development in Birmingham, introduced teen girls to careers in construction. “A smaller group, focused on girls who are keen to launch a construction career, and their mothers or guardians, participated,” said Debbie Dickinson, CEO of CIS. “The students were very engaged and interested in construction careers. Each time we participate in a PowerUp event, we realize the interest is growing.” CIS also hosted a PowerUp Rigging Workshop for girls earlier in the year.
Dr. Mittie Cannon, PowerUp founder and leader of multiple Workforce Development initiatives, was recently interviewed about the career exploration program by Fox Business News. https://youtu.be/3G1OSV9mtuY
Cannon talked about the partnerships her organization has with groups such as chapters of the Associated Builders & Contractors, and provided information on how local businesses can host construction career events. Among the footage included in the segment was that of a CIS-hosted PowerUp workshop.
CIS’s primary focus is training and certification for the crane and rigging industry. The company uses new technologies and software, such as crane simulators and iReportSource documentation, to help employers reduce knowledge gaps in their workforce. “If we can show young people—girls included—that construction and craft trades are top-notch career fields, we serve a healthy and growing industry in a positive way,” said Dickinson.
Beyond Training
/in Company News, Inspections /by Tracy BennettPersonnel Testing and Equipment Inspections Round Out Safety and Productivity Services
Training and Certification
Scott Bridge Co., a highway and rail bridge contractor in Alabama, relies on CIS for training and certification testing. Justin Woodall, safety director for Scott Bridge Co., says the company has had about 20 mobile crane operators certified under CIS’s tutelage. He likes that CIS instructors came to his company’s yard to complete the certification training process. “They were able to come to our location, do classroom sessions, and use our cranes in our yard to do the practical portion of the certifications. Their professionalism and knowledge about certifications, and being able to prepare our guys for written and practical exams to get their certification, impressed us the most,” says Woodall.
He also appreciates the availability of CIS instructors. “Their availability has been great. We’ve been able to get classes scheduled in a timely manner. And, we’ve had good success with our operators receiving certification and passing both written and practical exams.”
CIS provides mobile crane operator, tower crane operator, and rigger training and certification testing. It administers ANSI-accredited NCCER written and practical exams to meet OSHA crane operator certification requirements.
Equipment Inspections and Repairs
Garrett says Maxim has had a strong working relationship with CIS for about seven years. “We couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with. They are in tune with our schedule—We don’t always have weeks or months in our scheduling for inspections. We give them a call and say ‘Hey, I need something tomorrow’ and they always do their best. That’s big because in our industry we get those same calls from our customers, and we have to jump through hoops, too, to answer those calls.”
In addition to crane inspections, CIS staff offers MagnaFlux testing of crane hooks and wire rope beckets. Magnaflux is a method of determining the structural integrity of heavy construction materials such as the thick metal featured in cranes. This method of testing is able to take a tour inside the molecular structure of metal, as well as its surface, and give inspectors a clear idea of how sound the equipment really is. “CIS makes sure none of those items, the hooks on blocks, the headache balls, or the beckets, exhibit cracks or fusions,” says Garrett.
Larger industrial contractors will require a load test be performed on the specific crane Maxim provides. Though Maxim will perform the load test, it has to be observed by a third-party inspector and meet all criteria specified in the crane lift plan. CIS will send a representative to be a third-party observer, in conjunction with Magnaflux inspection. “We also know Cliff Dickinson, president of CIS, is a renowned authority on crane accidents, and it’s nice to have a contact if there were ever a need,” adds Garrett.
When needed, minor repairs to equipment can be completed while CIS inspectors are on site, making the process as efficient as possible for customers. This might include changing a wire rope; repairing or replacing a remote control; or removing worn components and installing new. CIS will help customers keep equipment in safe, working condition and in shape to be productive.
“Whether you are looking for specific skills training or help with productivity and efficiencies, CIS is uniquely positioned to help you build a qualified workforce—including field personnel, site supervision, and management,” says Debbie Dickinson. Consulting services include lift planning; employee selection and skills leadership development; personnel audits; and tracking of employee qualifications for specific machines, configurations, and uses
Crane Industry Services, LLC (CIS) supports Careers in Construction
/in Company News /by AdminCIS is working to help local schools enhance programs and with businesses nationwide to increase the awareness and respect of Craft Professionals. To find out more about their special October event, click here. Contact CIS for skill based training, simulators & qualification tracking. Fred@CraneIndustryServices.com or 770-783-9292
CIS Launches Updated Lift Director Training Program
/in Company News /by Tracy Bennett“A Lift Director is the person responsible at the moment of the lift,” explains Cliff Dickinson, President of CIS. “On small lifts, there can be overlapping responsibilities, and some people may wear more than one hat. For example, the crane operator may also be the lift director. But in larger companies there’s the lift director, project manager, the site supervisor, the general contractor’s representative—they’re all individual jobs,” says Dickinson.
Following language in OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC and ASME B30.5-3.1.3.2.2, Dickinson explains that a lift director must understand his or her role in the context of their own organization.
A Lift Director, regardless of size or structure of the organization, must have knowledge about cranes and rigging, setup and operation. “We review and analyze load charts, rigging and angles, load weights, swing dynamics, etc.,” said Dickinson.
Although there is no pre-requisite for the class, it’s best suited to someone with a good working knowledge of cranes and of rigging. Contact Fred Robinson to learn more about the Lift Director program and schedule at 770-783-9292 or fred@craneindustryservices.com.
CIS Adds Two Inspectors, Trainers
/in Company News /by Tracy BennettNoel Whelchel
Crane Industry Services, LLC (CIS), Carrollton, Ga., welcomes two staff members who will fill roles as crane inspectors and trainers. Noel Whelchel and Larry Johns bring unique skill sets to assist contractors and utility companies with equipment and personnel evaluations.
With Business and Sports Administration degrees from University of Georgia and Georgia State University, Whelchel has more than17 years of leadership experience. His expertise includes strategic planning and program coordination. “Noel is interested in the application of technology tools to safety management. He will take leadership roles in the implementation of iReportSource for online, dynamic employee recordkeeping, and simulation training and onboarding schools with new craft skills programs,” said Debbie Dickinson, CEO of CIS
Larry Johns
Johns has more than 35 years of experience in structural steel and heavy-lift rigging, and as a signal person. His certifications include NCCER Advanced Rigging and Ironworker; NCCCO Rigger/Signal Person and Crane Operator. He is
authorized to train OSHA 10 and OSHA 30-hour courses. “Larry has years of real-world experience working as a foreman for multiple general and specialty contractors, and he is a wealth of knowledge and experience running everything from friction lattice-boom cranes to telescopic mobile cranes,” said Dickinson.
“CIS is excited about its significant growth and all that Johns and Whelchel add to the already dynamic CIS team,” she said.
OSHA Puts Onus on Employers to make sure Operators Can Recognize and Avert Risk
/in Employer Responsibility /by Tracy BennettThe final rule for crane operator certification requirements makes permanent the employer duty to ensure that operators are competent to operate equipment safely. The positive impact of this is that employers will begin to see who is best qualified for which machines and work; who is capable to operate that crane independently, which will make jobsites safer and more productive. Employers will be well positioned to use that info to their advantage because they can assign people to the jobs they’re most qualified for and make decisions based on solid evaluation records.
For example, if a person is supposed to work on a highway job placing a mile of concrete barriers a day, but productivity falls behind, information from an evaluation may shed light on why. Delays could be due to weather or non-delivery of necessary materials, or the person assigned to the work is not the best for that particular job.That information will make training and re-training more efficient as well.
How to Evaluate
OSHA’s FAQ states: “Through an evaluation, the employer must ensure that each operator is qualified by a demonstration of . . . skills and knowledge, as well as the ability to recognize and avert risk, necessary to operate the equipment safely . . .”
OK, what can or should employers, and site owners who can bear responsibility for crane and operator rentals, do? CIS recommends these steps:
1. Recognizing and adverting risk requires daily, ongoing hazard analysis. Lifts have to be planned. Plans have to evaluated based on changes and unanticipated scenarios that occur. One day the risks maybe lightening. Another day the risk may be material delays putting pressure on the schedule, proximity to energized lines. Operators need to be trained to identify, communicate and make lift/no lift decisions based on current job hazard analysis (JHAs).Certify operators or designate as trainees, and supervise accordingly.
2. In addition to certification, evaluate each operator’s qualifications on each crane he or she operates. If multiple cranes are used and the machines are the same make, model number and are configured alike, one qualification evaluation will suffice.
3. If the employer has multiple cranes made by different manufacturers, or uses cranes in different configurations, evaluate each operator on the different machines or configurations.
4. Use an in-house or third party evaluator that is qualified to evaluate based on the evaluator experience, knowledge, training and credentials.
5. At a minimum, evaluate to the sample checklist posted on the OSHA website. Add machine and work specific details. Observe performance. Ask verbal questions.
6. Document the evaluations. Use a system to retain and provides easy access to evaluations. Provide documentation to site supervisors or owners.
7. Keep evaluations records current.
Good news. Once operators pass an evaluation on one piece of equipment, the employer may allow that operator to operate different equipment without further evaluation if the employer can demonstrate that operating that equipment would not require substantially different skills, knowledge or ability to recognize and avert risk.
There is more good news. Operator evaluations are not just a compliance checkmark. When conducted correctly, they provide useful information for
getting jobs done right. The point is to verify and satisfy the questions that certifications alone cannot – is this operator qualified for this machine and this work. Those answers can save machines, materials, and most importantly, lives.