A crane inspector ensures that the crane’s hooks, shackles, bolts, buckles, and other components are securely fastened and in good working order. Anyone interested in becoming a crane inspector must have prior crane or heavy equipment operator experience. In many countries, inspectors must also pass one or more licensing exams, and some employers require applicants for these positions to have specific academic qualifications.
Regulatory agencies hire inspectors to conduct safety checks at construction sites, oil rigs, and other locations. Furthermore, laws in some countries allow construction companies to hire in-house inspectors to ensure that their equipment complies with local laws and statutes. A crane inspector must typically have worked as a crane mechanic, operator, or technician for several years before applying. An individual may be required to complete a short-term training course that culminates in a licensing examination before assuming any of those roles. In many areas, inspectors must also meet minimum age requirements, and some employers conduct background checks and drug tests on job applicants.
Construction regulatory agencies frequently require anyone interested in becoming a crane inspector to complete a certification course, which typically includes both classroom and practical on-the-job coaching clinics. Students must pass a minimum passing score on the licensing exam at the end of each session before working as inspectors. Training classes can last weeks or months. Cranes are found on oil rigs, construction sites, and docks in a variety of configurations, including mobile cranes, tower cranes, and overhead cranes. While some regulatory agencies offer only one training course, others offer a number of different training sessions, each of which is designed to prepare attendees to inspect a specific machine. Before working with a variety of different types of equipment, someone who wants to become a crane inspector may need to take several training courses.
Inspectors are typically not required to have completed any formal education courses beyond high school in many countries, according to safety regulators and construction industry associations. Nonetheless, because many people in this field inspect machines that belong to the companies for which they work, some employers prefer to hire inspectors with the knowledge and ability to fix problems. Some companies only hire people who have earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.