In my 35+ years as a crane operator in many different environments, I have gained essential experience that I would like to share with other operators who may not have had the opportunity to attend Crane Safety training classes.

I have instructed operators throughout the U.S. and have enjoyed every class. To see the expression on a young or old operator’s face when they learn something new is very gratifying. My crane operating experience, coupled with the information learned through different training classes, gives me a very unique perspective on crane operation.

After teaching a class, someone will usually tell me that they enjoyed the class and talk about how much they have learned. I will never know if I have prevented accidents or not, but I would like to think that I have. Being an operator and an instructor is like second nature to me. I can teach operators on a professional level because I am an operator myself.

I have endorsed the CCO fully because of their rigid written test alongside a practical operating exam. I have been through the entire process of CCO certification and hold all four endorsements as well as being accredited as a Practical Examiner. When I took the CCO written exam for the first time, I realized that there were going to be a lot of operators who would have a hard time answering the questions.

When I first started in the construction business, I was a very young man. My father was a crane operator, and at that time there were not a lot of standards in the industry like there is today. It was a learn-as-you-go type of operation. My dad taught me to be ahead of the crane and its movements, and I believe that thought has carried me through many years of operation. I am very proud of the fact that throughout my operating years I have never had an accident. I would like for every operator, young and old, to have that same sense of pride in their job.

I have been preparing operators to pass the written exam for quite a few years. Before class, I’m sure that most of their thoughts were like mine regarding what they were going to learn. At the beginning of class, I have watched their attitudes change from “what am I going to learn?” to” I am amazed at what I have learned.” Without the preparation class, it is extremely difficult for an operator to pass the written exam.

For a real operator, the practical operating exam is what they do every day. An operator may get a little nervous when he’s being tested, but their experience will prevail, and the pass rate is very high.

The information that I share with operators in these training classes will carry with them for years to come. I met an elderly operator in one of my classes who told me something that I hadn’t given much thought before. We were talking about how training may be a little bit time consuming and costly when he told me “If you think training is expensive, try ignorance.”

As I leave my thoughts with you, I appreciate your time reading my information about why I think this type of training is extremely valuable.

Sincerely,

A J “Bud” Wilson
President