The Electric City's Lifting Work
Great Falls takes its nickname, the Electric City, from the hydroelectric dams on the Missouri River, and maintaining that infrastructure involves heavy lifting. The city is also home to Malmstrom Air Force Base, serves as a hub for the grain farms of Central Montana, and has regional healthcare and commercial construction.
Grain elevators, bins and ag processing plants are a big part of the picture. Lifting conveyors, legs and bin components high off the ground in open country calls for careful planning. These picks often involve long, light pieces at high hook heights, where a small swing at the base becomes a large movement at the top. Crane certification training in Great Falls has to reflect that mix of industrial, agricultural and public work.
Programs by Type of Job
Grain and agricultural facilities
Tall, light structures and long components are sensitive to wind and rigging angles. The rigger qualification and certification program prepares workers for NCCCO Rigger Level I and II exams.
Utility and dam maintenance
Experienced operators prepare for TSS, TLL and LAT exams through mobile crane certification prep. Crews new to cranes start with initial mobile crane operator training.
Construction and material handling
Telehandlers are common on farm and commercial sites; the telehandler program covers NCCCO THO exams.
Federal and contractor work
Government projects typically come with detailed safety requirements. The Managing Crane Safety class helps supervisors understand planning, inspections and compliance.
When the Wind Picks Up
Central Montana is known for strong, gusty wind, especially along the Rocky Mountain Front to the west. A crane that is well within capacity can still be in trouble if a long or flat load catches a gust. Operators need to understand how manufacturers specify wind limits, how to measure wind at the boom tip rather than at ground level, and when to set a load down and wait.
Our article on weather and crane safety covers wind, cold and other conditions Central Montana crews deal with. Winter adds deep cold and blowing snow, and frozen ground that thaws unevenly in spring is a common setup hazard on farm and rural sites.
Two Ways to Train
The Crane School is located in Seffner, Florida, and has no Montana office. Great Falls employers can host on-site classes at their own facility, and our accredited practical examiners can schedule NCCCO practical exams there. Individuals can fly into Tampa International and join open-enrollment classes; CCO written exams are offered every month at the Seffner site. See the training calendar for upcoming dates.
For ag businesses, the slower months after harvest are often the best time to bring in instructors, because crews and equipment are available and the facility is quieter. Multi-week initial programs in Florida meet Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, so a new operator should plan to be away for three to five weeks.
Montana Requirements
Montana has state-level crane operator requirements in addition to OSHA. Confirm current rules with the state agency and NCCCO's state licensing information before you work there. Work on federal property may carry additional requirements set by the agency or contract, so read bid documents closely. Hydroelectric and utility owners often have their own crane and rigging procedures as well. See our Montana NCCCO prep page for more.
