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How to Determine the Best Crane and Rigging Consultant to Hire

Hiring a consultant can be a great way to improve any business, as their job is pointing out weaknesses and offering actionable solutions. Hiring a crane and rigging consultant to help with construction projects is certainly no exception.

Cranes and rigging equipment are designed to move thousands of pounds of equipment hundreds of feet in the air. It is no surprise that they can create dangerous situations if this machinery is not used properly.

Every year, dozens of construction workers are injured or even killed in accidents involving cranes and rigging equipment. Violating safety regulations is not only dangerous, it is illegal. OSHA cites hundreds of construction sites for crane safety violations every year, most commonly due to inspection, personnel qualification, and power line safety issues. 

Source

Catching issues – like damaged equipment or incorrect setups – early can prevent these violations and lower the risk of injury on the job site. However, many construction firms miss some of the telltale signs of damaged or unsafe rigging equipment and crane machinery – which can be disastrous.

For this reason, hiring a crane and rigging consultant is a wise decision for every construction company to make. However, this is a big decision since consulting services can be expensive –you want to only hire the best of the best.

 Here’s how to find the right one.

1. What do Crane and Rigging Consultants Do?

A crane and rigging consultant will first come to observe the current systems and structures in place and note any issues or safety violations. They will also inspect cranes and rigging equipment to check for OSHA compliance problems.

From here, consultants will provide strategies and actionable solutions to resolve safety violations or simply make the process more efficient. The Crane operator will often focus on specific aspects of rigging, such as:

  • Writing up crane contractor lift plans
  • Developing strategies for complex applications or situations
  • Creating procedures for crane load tests
  • Completing crane inspection procedure guidelines
  • Evaluating site safe operation plans
  • Determining the root cause of safety violations or accidents

Consultants will provide instruction on ways to restructure, train safety procedures, and evaluate current programs to find solutions.

2. What to Look for in a Crane and Rigging Consultant

Many companies offer rigging consulting, but this does not mean that their services will actually offer value. First and foremost, you only want to hire a crane and rigging consultant who is NCCCO Certified. This ensures that they have passed certification training specifically for crane safety per OSHA standards.

Next, take a look into their reviews to see what their past clients have to say. Be sure to check from multiple sources, not just the ones on their website as they could be falsified or cherry-picked! Be sure their reports are detailed, and maybe ask to see a mock report. You may want to check out their BBB rating and see if they have any current complaints filed. 

Finally, be on the lookout for signs of expertise from the consultant firm itself. See if they run an active blog or have any resources available on crane and rigging safety. If you are considering a specific consultant, search to see if they have been published or have filmed interviews or speaking engagements. 

3.  How to Hire the Best Consultant for Your Firm

Once you have narrowed down your options, you need to determine which consultant is going to be the best fit for your company’s specific needs.

Of course, your budget is one of the biggest deciding factors. See if the consulting firm can negotiate the pricing structure that works based on your budget. Some consultants offer customizable inspections and services depending on your business’s size or project needs. You may even be able to hire them as contractors for a set time.

You may also want to inquire about hiring consultants for very specific aspects that need attention. For instance, a wire rope and rigging consultant can help with safety issues regarding specific lifting hardware. Or, you can hire based on your equipment, such as a mobile or tower crane consultant.

Ultimately, you need to work with a business that makes you feel comfortable and is willing to work with you to provide actionable solutions. They should not push you into making any decisions and you should only hire a consultant willing to work with your specific needs.

Conclusion

Investing in improving the safety and efficiency of your business is always a wise choice, especially when it comes to mobile cranes.

A crane and rigging consultant can identify issues you may not even be aware of – and come up with actionable solutions to make your workplace safer and more efficient.

Written By

Craig Hautmaki works with Colorado Crane Operator School, an industry-leading crane and rigging training school and safety consulting company. He is an NCCCO accredited practical examiner and has over 15 years of experience in Oil and Gas, Construction, and General Industry.

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