Offshore Crane Operator Stage 1 (Introductory) Training

This Product is intended for personnel who have little or no crane operating experience and wish to gain theoretical and practical knowledge of offshore crane operations.

This Product aims to provide the learner, who has little or no previous knowledge or experience in crane operations, with the basic knowledge and skills required of an Offshore Crane Operator.

Note: OCO Stage 1 Training is not a formal assessment of competence, and therefore successful completion of this training by a learner cannot be used as an entitlement to operate an offshore crane unsupervised.

The key objectives are:

1. To introduce the learner to crane operations terminology.
2. To ensure the learner can identify and explain key elements of relevant legislation.
3. To ensure the learner understands the role and responsibilities of the offshore crane operator and safety implications attached to that role.
4. To ensure the learner understands the main crane controls, safety devices, working limitations, associated hazards and safe work practices of an offshore crane operator.
5. To ensure the learner understands typical crane maintenance and inspection requirements.

6. The learner to practice operating a crane and crane simulator following a basic lifting plan - after receiving instruction from qualified training staff.

Learners must also provide evidence of a medical/eye test to confirm their depth of vision and that they are not colour blind.

Medical entry requirements

Training activities contained within this Product may include physically demanding and potentially stressful elements. All personnel who participate in such activities must be capable of participating fully.

Therefore, OPITO-approved training centres are required, as a minimum, to ensure that prior to participating in practical exercises the learner is declared fit, in that they:

a) Possess an employing company approved medical certificate equivalent to an offshore medical certificate.

OR

b) Undergo medical screening by completing an appropriate medical screening form provided by the OPITO-approved Centre

AND

Evidence of a medical/eye test to confirm their depth of vision and that they are not colour blind.

The OPITO-approved Centre shall keep a record of the learners’ declaration(s) of fitness in accordance with their document control policy(s) or procedures. This information, along with summary details of the type of physical activities the learner will be asked to perform, will be given to learners by the OPITO approved Centre and, if applicable, to their sponsoring company as part of the joining instructions. The responsibility for declaring any current or pre-existing medical conditions that could have adverse effects to the individual’s state of health while undertaking the training and/or assessment activities lies with the learner and/or company sponsoring the learner. Where doubt exists regarding the fitness of any learner, the OPITO-approved Centre must direct the individual to consult a medical officer familiar with the nature and extent of the training.

Note: Practical exercises must be designed and delivered solely to meet this Product and must not place on the learners any demands other than those required to meet the Product.

To achieve the Offshore Crane Operator Stage 1 (Introductory) Training Standard the learner will need to complete the 2 mandatory units.

40 hours 

There is an approximate ratio of 30% theory to 70% practical.

Offshore Crane Operator:

- Stage 2 Training

- Stage 2 competence Assessment / Re-assessment (Fixed Installation)

- Stage 3 Competence Assessment / Re-assessment (Fixed Structures, Floating Structures,Vessel Subsea Lifting) 

No expiry.

Learners wanting to progress to Stage 2 must start their OPITO OCO Stage 2 Training within 12 months of gaining their OPITO OCO Stage 1 Training certification. Learners must be made aware of this criterion by the Centre.

Please note: If the expiry date on the learners previous certificate is within 3 months prior of the course enrolment date then the date of the new certificate should correspond with the expiry date of the existing/previous certificate unless stated otherwise by the Duty Holder or Asset Owner or Operator.