Harmonization of Apprenticeship Training

Provincial and territorial apprenticeship authorities are each responsible for their respective apprenticeship programs. In the spirit of continual improvement, and to facilitate mobility among apprentices in Canada, participating authorities have agreed to work towards harmonizing certain aspects of their programs where possible. After consulting with their stakeholders in the trade, they have reached consensus on the following elements. Note that implementation of these elements may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, depending on their own circumstances. For more information on the implementation in any province and territory, please contact that jurisdiction’s apprenticeship authority.

1. Trade name

The official Red Seal name for this trade is Tower Crane Operator.

2. Number of Levels of Apprenticeship

The number of levels of technical training recommended for this trade is two (2).

3. Total Training Hours

The total hours of training, including both on-the-job and in-school training for this trade is 3000.

4. Sequencing Topics and Related Sub-tasks

The topic titles in the table below are placed in a column for each apprenticeship level for technical training. Each topic is accompanied by the sub-tasks and their reference number. The topics in the grey shaded cells represent those that are covered “in context” with other training in the subsequent years.

Level 1 Level 2
- in context
- Safety-Related Functions
Safety-Related Functions
  • 1.01 Maintains safe work environment
  • 1.02 Uses personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment
  • 1.03 Uses documentation
-
Communication Techniques
  • 2.01 Uses communication techniques
Mentoring Techniques
  • 2.02 Uses mentoring techniques
Pre-Operational Checks and Regular Inspections
  • 3.01 Inspects structural components
  • 3.02 Inspects mechanical components
  • 3.03 Inspects lines, wire ropes and hoisting system components
  • 3.04 Inspects hydraulic system components
  • 3.05 Inspects electrical system components
  • 3.06 Inspects support components
  • 3.07 Inspects track (rail) travel components
  • 3.08 Inspects cab components
  • 3.09 Inspects safety and access components
  • 3.10 Completes inspection documentation
Pre-Operational Checks and Regular Inspections
  • 3.01 Inspects structural components
  • 3.02 Inspects mechanical components
  • 3.03 Inspects lines, wire ropes and hoisting system components
  • 3.04 Inspects hydraulic system components
  • 3.05 Inspects electrical system components
  • 3.06 Inspects support components
  • 3.07 Inspects track (rail) travel components
  • 3.08 Inspects cab components
  • 3.09 Inspects safety and access components
  • 3.10 Completes inspection documentation
Continual Checks
  • 4.01 Monitors weather conditions
  • 4.02 Monitors site conditions
  • 4.03 Monitors lines, wire ropes and hoisting system components
  • 4.04 Monitors equipment performance and conditions
  • 4.05 Monitors structural and support components
Continual Checks
  • 4.01 Monitors weather conditions
  • 4.02 Monitors site conditions
  • 4.03 Monitors lines, wire ropes and hoisting system components
  • 4.04 Monitors equipment performance and conditions
  • 4.05 Monitors structural and support components
Minor Crane Maintenance
  • 5.01 Maintains mechanical components
  • 5.02 Lubricates wire ropes and crane components
Minor Crane Maintenance
  • 5.01 Maintains mechanical components
  • 5.02 Lubricates wire ropes and crane components
Tower Crane Assembly
  • 6.01 Participates in crane assembly
  • 6.02 Participates in crane disassembly
  • 6.03 Transports self-erecting tower crane
  • 6.04 Participates in assembly and disassembly of self-erecting tower cranes
Tower Crane Assembly
  • 6.01 Participates in crane assembly
  • 6.02 Participates in crane disassembly
  • 6.03 Transports self-erecting tower crane
  • 6.04 Participates in assembly and disassembly of self-erecting tower cranes
Tower Crane Climbing and Reconfigurations
  • 7.01 Participates in bottom-climbing procedures
  • 7.02 Participates in top-climbing procedures
  • 7.03 Participates in crane reconfiguration
Tower Crane Climbing and Reconfigurations
  • 7.01 Participates in bottom-climbing procedures
  • 7.02 Participates in top-climbing procedures
  • 7.03 Participates in crane reconfiguration
Lift Plan
  • 8.01 Determines load weights
  • 8.02 Interprets load charts
  • 8.03 Plans work procedures
  • 8.04 Prepares for specialty lifts
Lift Plan
  • 8.01 Determines load weights
  • 8.02 Interprets load charts
  • 8.03 Plans work procedures
  • 8.04 Prepares for specialty lifts
Rigging Equipment (Inspects, Maintains, Stores)
  • 9.01 Identifies deficiencies in slings and hardware
  • 9.02 Lubricates slings and hardware
  • 9.03 Stores rigging equipment
Rigging Equipment (Inspects, Maintains, Stores)
  • 9.01 Identifies deficiencies in slings and hardware
  • 9.02 Lubricates slings and hardware
  • 9.03 Stores rigging equipment
Rigging Procedures
  • 10.01 Selects required rigging equipment and configuration
  • 10.02 Rigs load
  • 10.03 Monitors rigging
Rigging Procedures
  • 10.01 Selects required rigging equipment and configuration
  • 10.02 Rigs load
  • 10.03 Monitors rigging
Pre-lift (warm-up) Activities
  • 11.01 Performs function test
  • 11.02 Confirms limits
Pre-lift (warm-up) Activities
  • 11.01 Performs function test
  • 11.02 Confirms limits
Tower Cranes (Operation)
  • 12.01 Moves trolley in and out
  • 12.02 Booms (luffs) up and down
  • 12.03 Swings (slews) jib
  • 12.04 Hoists load
  • 12.05 Travels crane
  • 12.06 Performs functions simultaneously
Tower Cranes (Operation)
  • 12.01 Moves trolley in and out
  • 12.02 Booms (luffs) up and down
  • 12.03 Swings (slews) jib
  • 12.04 Hoists load
  • 12.05 Travels crane
  • 12.06 Performs functions simultaneously
Specialty Tower Crane Operations
  • 13.03 Hoists personnel
Specialty Tower Crane Operations
  • 13.01 Participates in multi-crane lifts
  • 13.02 Operates in multi-crane site
Tower Crane (Shut Down/Secure)
  • 14.01 Secures crane while leaving controls temporarily (short term)
  • 14.02 Secures crane while out of service
Tower Crane (Shut Down/Secure)
  • 14.01 Secures crane while leaving controls temporarily (short term)
  • 14.02 Secures crane while out of service