Hierarchy Of Crane Licenses

The cranes are definitely the most important construction machines because without them the tasks that involve lifting and moving heavy items and materials from one location to another would seem impossible. There are various crane models on the market, and every type is used for a particular purpose. Today, the mobile cranes are heavily used on every construction site all over the world, as they can be easily moved form one location to another. The most commonly used mobile cranes are the slewing crane and the non slew crane. These lifting machines are basically cranes which are mounted on a special purpose vehicle. Although similar in design and capabilities, the sewing crane and the non slew crane are two different machines.

The slewing crane is generally a powered mobile crane that comes with a jib or boom that can be slewed. It excludes a backhoe, a front end loader, an excavator or other similar machine when configured for lifting operations.

A non slew crane on the other hand is powered mobile crane that comes with a boom or jib which cannot be slewed. This machine is a combination of articulated mobile crane and locomotive crane. Some non slew crane models include a multi function unit that can be operated as non slewing crane.

A specific Certificate of Competency is required for operating a slewing and non slew crane. The operators of these cranes need to posses such certificate in order to use the machines for various lifting operations. A Certificate of Competency is not required when the operator is working under direct supervision of competent person. WorkCover is a government agency that is responsible for issuing a Certificate of Competency for the crane operators in Victoria. There are many certificate classes for crane operation. The certificate classes for the slewing and non slew cranes are the following ones:

CN: non slew crane operation- covering the operations of all non slew cranes.

C2: slewing crane operation(up to 20 tonnes)- covering the operations of all slewing crane models with maximum lifting capacity of 20 tonnes or less.

C6: slewing crane operation(up to 60 tonnes)- covering the operations of all slewing crane models with maximum lifting capacity of 60 tonnes or less.

C1: slewing crane operation(up to 100 tonnes)- covering the operations of all slew crane models with maximum lifting capacity of 100 tonnes or less.

C0: slewing crane operation(over 100 tonnes)- covering the operations of all slew crane models with lifting capacity of 100+ tonnes.

In order to gain a Certificate of Competency, the operators must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Complete the application form
• Provide documented evidence of competency
• And pay the required fee

The certification system that operates in Victoria provides the employees, employers and the community an assurance that the certificate holders have the necessary skills and knowledge to operate a particular type of crane.