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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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72500.00 – Crane operators

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. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Overview

Example job titles

  • 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

Core competencies

  • Operation and Control to adequately control the crane’s mechanical and electrical systems, which requires ensuring loads are placed correctly and lifts and movements are precise and accurate
  • Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment to prevent accidents or equipment failure by continuously observing the crane’s performance and condition during operation
  • Control of Settings to adjust and fine-tune crane operations to accommodate diverse job site conditions, managing complex load movements and environmental factors safely and efficiently
  • Multi-Limb Coordination to coordinate hands and feet to control the crane’s movements, including lifting, swinging and lowering loads using hand and foot controls
  • Collaboration to ensure lifts are conducted safely and accurately as crane operators often work closely with ground crew, signalers and other operators
  • Knowledge in Vehicle, Machinery and Equipment Operations to understand the precise operation, control and maintenance of various types of cranes, including safety protocols, load dynamics, complex rigging techniques and advanced troubleshooting

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • 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.

Additional information

  • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews (72021)
  • Heavy equipment operators (73400)
  • Underground production and development miners (83100)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

72 – Technical trades and transportation officers and controllers

Sub-major group

725 – Technical equipment operation trades

Minor group

7250 – Crane operators and water well drillers

Unit group

72500 – Crane operators

Occupational profile

72500.00 – Crane operators

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.