What are the responsibilities and job description for the Crane Operator position at Hago Automotive Corp?
Crane Operator
Department: Stamping
Reports To: Stamping Supervisor and/or Production Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Stamping Supervisor and/or Production Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Position Summary
The Crane Operator is responsible for safely and efficiently operating overhead cranes and approved material-handling equipment within the Stamping Department. This position ensures that the correct dies, tools, coils, materials, and containers are delivered to production when needed and are safely removed and stored after use.
The Crane Operator supports continuous production by coordinating with press operators, material handlers, shift leadership, Tooling, Quality, and other departments. Safety is the highest priority, and the Crane Operator is expected to stop and report any unsafe activity or equipment condition immediately.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Follow all work instructions, production schedules, safety procedures, and company policies.
- Safely operate overhead cranes and approved lifting equipment.
- Move dies, tools, coils, materials, containers, and other approved loads throughout the Stamping Department.
- Ensure the correct materials and tools are delivered to the appropriate press in time to support scheduled production.
- Verify material, tool, die, and destination information before moving or positioning a load.
- Position tools and materials accurately and safely as directed by authorized employees.
- Remove dies and tools after use and return them to their designated storage locations.
- Maintain safe and organized die, tool, material, and equipment storage areas.
- Coordinate with Shift Leaders, Press Operators, Material Handlers, Tooling, and other team members regarding production needs and priorities.
- Notify the Shift Leader or appropriate department immediately when required materials, tools, or containers are unavailable.
- Provide accurate and timely information needed to complete material movements, inventory transactions, and required SAP bookings.
- Complete all required crane inspection forms, material-movement records, and other departmental documentation.
- Protect dies, tools, materials, equipment, and finished products from damage during movement and storage.
- Report damaged materials, tools, dies, containers, racks, or equipment immediately.
- Support other team members as directed, including providing break relief when trained and authorized to perform the assigned work.
- Use available downtime productively by cleaning, organizing storage areas, inspecting equipment, or completing other assigned tasks.
- Maintain dependable attendance, report to work on time, and work all scheduled hours, including overtime when required.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Crane and Rigging Responsibilities
- Complete and document all required daily and pre-use inspections of cranes and lifting equipment.
- Inspect hooks, slings, chains, cables, controls, limit switches, warning devices, and other lifting components before use.
- Confirm the weight of the load and ensure the crane and lifting devices have sufficient rated capacity.
- Select and use the correct approved sling, chain, attachment, or lifting device for each load.
- Confirm that each load is properly attached, balanced, stable, and secure before lifting.
- Perform a controlled test lift when appropriate to verify balance and secure attachment.
- Maintain control of the load and remain attentive throughout every lift.
- Travel at a safe speed and use established travel paths whenever possible.
- Maintain adequate clearance from employees, machinery, structures, stored materials, and overhead obstructions.
- Never lift, carry, or move a load over another person.
- Never allow anyone to stand, walk, or work beneath a suspended load.
- Never leave a suspended load unattended.
- Use a spotter when visibility, clearance, load size, or other conditions require assistance.
- Respond only to signals from the designated spotter, except that an emergency stop signal must always be followed.
- Never use a crane or lifting device to pull loads sideways unless the equipment and procedure are specifically designed and approved for that purpose.
- Do not exceed the rated capacity of any crane, sling, chain, hook, or lifting attachment.
- Immediately stop operation if the crane, lifting equipment, load, or surrounding conditions appear unsafe.
- Remove damaged lifting equipment from service, identify it to prevent further use, and report it immediately.
- Do not resume operation of defective equipment until it has been inspected and authorized for use.
Safety Responsibilities
- Follow and reinforce all hago safety rules and procedures without exception.
- Wear all required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel-toed safety shoes.
- Operate only cranes and equipment for which the employee has been properly trained and authorized.
- Complete a visual inspection of the work area and planned travel path before moving a load.
- Stop any observed unsafe activity when it can be done safely and immediately notify the Shift Leader or Stamping Supervisor.
- Never ignore or tolerate unsafe behavior, unsafe lifting practices, or unsafe equipment conditions.
- Follow applicable lockout/tagout procedures and never bypass or disable safety devices.
- Immediately report injuries, near misses, property damage, equipment damage, and unsafe conditions.
- Maintain clear aisles, exits, walkways, electrical panels, fire equipment, and emergency equipment.
- Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe work area.
- Participate in all required safety meetings, inspections, and training.
Quality Responsibilities
- Verify that the correct material, die, tool, container, and production area are identified before completing a move.
- Prevent material or product damage, contamination, and improper mixing during handling and storage.
- Follow all identification, labeling, traceability, and material-control procedures.
- Immediately report incorrect, damaged, unidentified, or nonconforming materials and tools.
- Follow applicable customer requirements, work instructions, and hago quality-management-system procedures.
- Support compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and other applicable company certifications and standards.
Environmental Responsibilities
- Follow all environmental procedures for handling and storing materials, oils, lubricants, scrap, waste, and recyclable items.
- Immediately report spills, leaks, or other environmental concerns.
- Use designated containers and storage locations for materials and waste.
- Support compliance with hago’s ISO 14001 environmental-management system.
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
- Previous overhead-crane, rigging, material-handling, stamping, or manufacturing experience preferred.
- Successful completion of hago’s required crane-operator and rigging training.
- Ability to demonstrate safe crane operation before receiving company authorization.
- Ability to understand crane capacity, load weight, balance, lifting points, and basic rigging principles.
- Ability to inspect cranes, slings, chains, hooks, and lifting devices.
- Ability to read and follow work instructions, production schedules, safety procedures, labels, and equipment markings.
- Ability to identify materials, tools, dies, and designated storage locations.
- Ability to provide accurate information for SAP transactions and material bookings.
- Ability to communicate clearly and work cooperatively with production and support departments.
- Strong attention to surroundings, load movement, safety, and detail.
- Dependable attendance and willingness to work scheduled overtime when required.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to bend, stoop, reach, climb, push, pull, and perform repetitive movements.
- Ability to maintain visual attention on suspended loads and surrounding conditions.
- Ability to judge distances, clearances, load movement, and positioning accurately.
- Ability to use crane controls and material-handling equipment safely.
- Ability to lift and carry materials within established company limits, using assistance or lifting equipment when required.
- Ability to hear alarms, instructions, and warning signals in a manufacturing environment.
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment throughout the work shift.
Work Environment
This position is performed in an automotive manufacturing environment and may involve exposure to moving machinery, suspended loads, metal materials, oils, lubricants, elevated noise levels, temperature changes, and powered industrial equipment. Required personal protective equipment must be worn in designated areas.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position does not have direct supervisory authority. However, the Crane Operator has the authority and responsibility to stop crane movement or unsafe activity when an immediate hazard is identified and must promptly notify the Shift Leader or Stamping Supervisor.
Performance Expectations
Successful performance in this position includes:
- Safe crane and rigging practices
- Accurate and timely delivery of tools and materials
- Proper equipment inspections and documentation
- Prevention of damage to dies, tools, materials, and equipment
- Accurate information for SAP and inventory transactions
- Dependable attendance and schedule compliance
- Effective communication and teamwork
- Compliance with hago’s safety, quality, environmental, and conduct standards
Salary : $19 - $28