Anyone who has ever spent time on a construction site or seen cranes in action can imagine the many problems that can arise for a crane operator. One such issue is the lack of line of site for any part of a lift. Often, the crane operator cannot see the cargo that he or she is moving. Whether it be during pickup, as the cargo is being moved, or as it is being dropped, it is vital that the crane operator knows exactly where it is and what is happening – even if he cannot see it. Until recently, the crane operator could only depend on his riggers and signal people to help him guide the load around obstacles, people, and equipment. That was before cameras on cranes came into play. A good camera system for cranes can help the operator to see the entire lift, from start to finish. GoPro is one company that manufactures camera systems for cranes. This company was mentioned in a recent article from Crane and Rigging Hotline.

The article featured an interview with for crane operators who are active participants in a Facebook Group called “Crane Operators of the World 2.” One of the interviewees, Mark Adcock shared, “I have cameras on my hoist and winch and if something’s going on I like to be able to look at that and see if the cable’s okay on the drum.”

When asked what they think about crane cameras, each interviewee had their own opinions. Nick Reynolds felt that the cameras on a job can give you a “fish-eye view.” He adds that these cameras can bring a great deal of advantage in situations where the crane operator is “dealing with less-trained and less-skilled people.” He believes that the camera systems can really help when tower crane operators are working “in the blind.”

Of course, the benefits of using a camera system are only as good as the system itself. For example, Jeff Corrie shared with Crane and Rigging Hotline that he uses GoPro when he is concerned about a pick. While he admits that the system allows him to “put an eyeball on the situation,” he shares that it does give him a “one-second video lag.” He also adds that the GoPro “doesn’t work the greatest when you go far away and out of sight. The GoPro also has a poor WiFi signal, according to Corrie. While Corrie states that you “can’t operate with a camera only,” he does feel that a good camera system is a “good operational aide.”