Day one: We all tramp into one of the four Ainscough classrooms on site, all Portakabin-type modular buildings. There are five other guys: mechanics Paul and Ben, crewman Mark and artillery operator Griff, all on Army resettlement, and construction plant operator Geraint. Our instructor Sean takes us through some of the lifting risks on construction sites and general site safety. We take our first written test.
Day two: Back in the classroom, Sean continues the lesson with a breakdown of UK lifting regulations LOLER. We look at fail loads, proof loads, working load limits and safe working loads. In the afternoon, we all struggle through de-rating slings and chains in multi-leg configurations. Hand signals come more easily.
Day three: Again in the classroom, Sean goes through load charts, other documentation and ground hazards. He also shows videos of best practice. In the afternoon, he takes us through slides of crane accidents and explains what went wrong.
Day four: Before we head out into the yard, Sean and colleague Steve reassure us that they’ll help us get through the practical bits. ‘We can stay late, just have a quiet chat about it with us.’ I remember their advice as I try manoeuvring the 16t capacity Kato NK 160E out of its parking space. ‘If that cone had been a child, you would have taken its head off,’ team-mate Paul says. The guys seem relieved to be outside in the fresh air. The rest of the day we focus on setting up the crane. We also had a look at lifting tackle.
Day five: Finally we get a shot at the upper cab. Sean takes us through start-up checks, and then we’re away operating the crane with a set of chains on the end of the hook. For the first time, we try out the role of banksman as well. In the cab, I continue to experience the wide array of alarms that the crane helpfully emits.
Day six: We get stuck in early and spend all day setting up the machine and doing lifts. We’re all trying to get used to the action in the crane’s levers a rough touch and the load swings. We also practiced banking a lift out of eye contact with the crane operator using walkie-talkies. ‘Jib up, up, up, up…’
Day seven: Rain drives us inside to take another practical test, on crane maintenance. Later, we practice tying off the hook blocks to the front of the crane. It’s a tricky manoeuvre because the crane is double-reeved with a large and small hook block. We had to lower the boom while hoisting up both blocks, without touching the ground or hitting the sheaves. The trick seems to be to use the palm of one hand to push the lever for one block and the fingers for another.
Day eight: Today we did a dual lift both teams working both cranes to lift a heavy and awkward boom section. First, we use a tape measure and load chart to plan out the position of both cranes. Then, once both are in position, and we have selected appropriate tackle, one slinger directs both crane drivers. Unfortunately, the second time, that signaller is me. After I recover, we are shown how to attach the fly jib.
Day nine: In the morning, we practice planning and executing a few more lifts in small groups. We discuss the merits of the choke hitch. In the afternoon, the tests begin: although I manage to sling a jib section wrong and direct a set of chains into a structure, I still passed the slinger/signaller part. Whew!
Day ten: Before the tests continue, we look at how to change the crane’s reeving, including undoing the rope terminus in a pear socket. Then my second crane operator test, in which a little inattention in setting up leads to a few more problems which, thankfully, I catch in time. Result: a pass.
Can Ainscough take absolutely anyone and turn that person into a crane operator? Preliminary indications suggest that maybe it can, but I know that it will take years of experience before I can really call myself a professional crane operator.
