Operating various types of cranes may require different training and certification. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration, a separate department of the U.S. Labor Department, oversees training and certification of crane operation. Training includes taking classes and examinations from OSHA employees.
According to Online Lawyer Source, more than 500 people were killed in crane-related accidents in the decade between 1984 and 1994. At OSHA training facilities, future crane operators learn the subtle nuances involved with operating certain types of cranes safely. They also are taught proper rigging methods to ensure a load is properly secured to the crane before lifting. Properly inspecting a crane before operation is essential in creating a safe work environment. OSHA trains its students how to inspect cranes for excessive wear, corrosion and other damage that may compromise the crane's integrity.
Dozens of institutions across the nation feature OSHA training programs. For example, the Georgia Tech Research Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, offers OSHA training as does Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. Training usually takes place eight hours a day for a little less than a week. However, certification is given only to those who pass the examination at the end of training.