Who needs a crane licence?
Anyone who operates a crane on their own, including floor-controlled cranes with a pendant or radio remote. In production halls in particular, many colleagues "just quickly" use the overhead crane without ever having been trained. Typical participants:
- Production, metalworking and engineering with an overhead crane
- Warehouses with overhead or gantry cranes
- Builders’ merchants and contractors with a truck loader crane
- Maintenance and assembly
- Staff who sling loads and give signals
Legal basis
Under DGUV Vorschrift 52 § 29 the employer may only let people operate a crane independently who are at least 18, physically and mentally fit, instructed in operating the crane and have proven their ability. On top of that comes the assignment by the employer.
DGUV Grundsatz 309-003 describes how selection, instruction and proof of ability work. Slinging has its own rules on lifting accessories and discard criteria, which we cover in the training.
Inspecting the crane itself, before commissioning and periodically, is the operator company’s job and not part of driver training. The check before starting work is done by the crane operator, though, and that is what they learn with us.
What the crane training covers
A crane operator does not just need to drive, but above all to understand the load. That is why slinging takes up a large part of the day.
Theory
- Crane types, controls and safety devices
- Capacity, centre of gravity and estimating weight
- Lifting accessories: chains, wire ropes, slings and discard criteria
- Sling angles and slinging methods
- Hand signals and communication with the slinger
- What to do in faults and emergencies
Practice
- Check before starting work
- Lifting, travelling and setting down without swinging
- Slinging loads and checking lifting accessories
- Operating by hand signals
- Parking and securing the crane
Exam
Written exam on theory and slinging, then the practical test on the crane. Passing means: crane operator card in the app, certificate as a PDF in the company portal.
Validity and annual instruction
The qualification does not expire, but instruction is due every year. You book the instruction with us on site. Online instruction for cranes and truck loader cranes is coming to the app soon; the portal will then show who has finished.
Annual safety instruction →Online coming soon
What your company gets.
- Digital crane operator card with QR code, verifiable without the app
- Certificate to DGUV Grundsatz 309-003 as a PDF
- Annual instruction on site, online in the app coming soon
- Training by experienced trainers from Cologne
- Every participant’s result in the company portal
- Pay on invoice, invoice as a PDF
Price per participant, net plus VAT, on request. In the company portal you see your company price when buying.
Good to know.
Do staff using a radio remote also need a crane licence?
Yes. Cab, pendant or radio: whoever operates the crane independently must be trained and assigned.
Does the training also cover truck loader cranes?
Loader cranes have their own requirements, for example outriggers and stability on the vehicle. We tailor theory and practice to the crane type you name in your enquiry; the card states what was tested.
Do our people also learn slinging?
Yes, it is a focus of the training. Staff who only sling and do not operate can join too, as slingers must be instructed as well.
What happens when we get a new crane?
Before first use of a new crane, you familiarise the operator with it. No new training is needed as long as the crane type stays the same.
Does the training replace the crane inspection?
No. Regular inspection of the crane by a competent person or expert is the operator company’s duty and separate from this.
Request a quote for your team.
This course is already selected. Add more if you need them. We get back to you with a quote and a suggested date.
What else your team might need.
- DGUV Grundsatz 308-001
Forklift licence
Train forklift drivers to DGUV Grundsatz 308-001: theory, driving practice and exam in one day. - DGUV Grundsatz 308-008
MEWP licence
Train operators of scissor, telescopic and articulating platforms to DGUV Grundsatz 308-008, including rescue. - DGUV Grundsatz 301-005
Excavator licence
Qualify drivers of hydraulic excavators and wheel loaders to DGUV Grundsatz 301-005, on the machine. - VDI 2700
Load securing
Train drivers, loaders and dispatchers to VDI 2700, with practice on the vehicle and with real loads. - DGUV Information 205-023
Fire safety assistant
Train fire safety assistants to DGUV Information 205-023 and ASR A2.2, with extinguisher practice, in 4 hours. - § 12 ArbSchG
Annual safety instruction
Bookable now on site, at your premises or in Cologne. Online instruction with video and questionnaire is coming to the app soon.Online coming soon