Sixteen crane operators from the United States and Canada will move onto the Crane & Rigging Hot Line & CIC Skills Championship, which will be held in March 6-7 at ConExpo-Con/Agg in Las Vegas.
Two additional operators will have a chance to join the 16 operators in a qualifying round on March 4-5 in Gold Lot Booth 2975 at ConExpo. Operators attending the show are encouraged to pre-register on www.craneoperatorrodeo.com to assure a spot in the qualifier competition.
The Crane Operator Skills Championship is a partnership between CIC and Crane & Rigging Hot Line, supported by organizations that include Liebherr, Houston International Insurance Group, Slingmax, The Crosby Group, Hirschmann, DICA Outrigger Pads, and InfoChip. The competitions are designed to acknowledge the special skills it takes to be a crane operator; introduce the profession to young people; and educate local governments and businesses about the role training, experience, and certification plays in safe crane operation.
Mike Smith, safety director of Crane Rental Corp., Orlando, Fla., said the course challenges accurately demonstrate the skills an operator uses on the job at a construction site. These tests are modified versions of the practical exams administered by CIC for crane operator certification.
Smith said of the regional event he attended: “It’s all about the control, whether or not the hook is 250 feet away from the crane, or it’s working right up close to the machine shaking out iron. It’s a very hard skill to master. It’s definitely a good thing to be able to come out here and show your skills.”
At ConExpo, operators will compete on a 265-ton Liebherr LTM 1220-5.2 all-terrain crane, featuring a 197-foot main boom. Liebherr is the official crane sponsor of the National Operator Skills Championship.
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