Study for Crane Certification From Scottsboro

Who needs certified crane people here

HTPG, a commercial refrigeration manufacturer, relocated its headquarters to the Scottsboro Industrial Park and runs a plant there. Shaw Industries is also named among the area's significant employers. Refrigeration and HVAC equipment is bulky and often ends up on rooftops, so contractors who install it rely on mobile cranes and careful rigging of condensers, coils and units that don't balance where you might expect.

Beyond the plants, Jackson County work includes highway and bridge maintenance on U.S. 72, river terminals and the steady run of commercial and municipal construction a county seat generates. Northeast Alabama Community College helps feed the skilled trades pipeline.

Rooftop units are a good test of rigging knowledge. Lifting lugs are placed by the manufacturer for a reason, spreader bars keep slings off the unit's cabinet, and the published weight may not include curbs or accessories. Riggers who verify weight and center of gravity before the lift avoid the surprises that come when a unit tips as it leaves the truck.

Ridges, river bottoms and rough weather

• River bottom ground. Low ground near the lake and its creeks can stay wet for days after rain. Recheck outrigger support before each pick.
• Ridge sites. Job sites on the slopes above town need level setups, which can take serious cribbing and a careful look at ground slope.
• Spring storms. Northeast Alabama sits in an active tornado corridor. Have a plan for securing the boom and getting crews to shelter.
• Winter ice. Freezing rain and occasional snow can coat booms, wire rope and walkways. Clear ice before booming up and inspect rope for hidden damage.

The rule set in Jackson County

Alabama issues no crane operator license, and Scottsboro doesn't either. Federal OSHA enforces the construction crane standard for private employers. Its key requirements are operator certification from an accredited testing organization with an employer evaluation (29 CFR 1926.1427), a qualified signal person when the operator's view is blocked (1926.1428), and qualified riggers for assembly, disassembly and many hoisting jobs (1926.1404 and 1926.1425).

Tennessee is close by and runs its own OSHA State Plan, TOSHA, but it does not issue a general state crane operator license either. Crews who work both sides of the line should still follow each state's enforcement agency. Our requirements guide has more.

Choosing your first certification

Rooftop installers usually start with mobile crane operator and signal person. Service technicians who run small cranes on their trucks may fit service truck crane operator. Plant maintenance staff who hook loads for others often begin with Rigger Level I.