The British Columbia Association for Crane Safety (BCACS) has developed, tested and launched a system for new operators in training to track their hours worked online. The BCACS Logbook will document the equipment type and the lifts that have been done, regardless of the training method or the type of crane being used.
The British Columbia Association for Crane Safety (BCACS) has developed, tested and launched a system for new operators in training to track their hours worked online.
“We launched the online log book in October last year, and have been testing it with people who are available, in particular the new operators coming into the industry,” said Fraser Cocks, executive director of the BCACS.
“Previously, our focus was to get all the incumbent operators in the province certified and in compliance with new provincial safety regulations. That was the reason there was a deadline for certification. However, we also have to think about the future of the industry.”
An essential component of most apprenticeship training is logging hours of continuous employment and progression through a program, which takes about four years to complete.
However, the traditional method of logging hours in a book has several problems.
For example, apprentices sometimes don’t get into the habit of logging their hours regularly.
This means that they have to reconstruct their training and work experience, as best as they can, from memory.
“There is a very high burden of proof put on apprentices because their employers must sign off on their log book,” said Cocks.
“In addition, apprentices can find themselves in difficult situations, such as their employer going out of business or they decide to leave an employer for a better opportunity.”
Cocks spent the last year working with a software consultant to develop an online logbook, for B.C. residents interested in pursuing a career as a certified crane operator.
The online logbook guides new operators and tracks their progress as they gain crane operating experience.
“We are logging for evidence of skill using a competency-based system,” Cocks said. “We are collecting evidence, which includes photos, calendars, scanned documents, the lift standard they are expected to meet or whatever it is they are doing in the industry. The evidence proves you are the person you say you are, and this is what you do.”
The BCACS Logbook will document the equipment type and the lifts that have been done, regardless of the training method or the type of crane being used.
“We want to take advantage of the fact that all the new operators will have a cellphone. So they will be able to take pictures that can be downloaded later,” said Cocks. “Evidence can be inputted from any computer. They don’t even have to own a computer, as long as they have access to the Internet.”
The online logbook operates from a computer server in the BCACS office in New Westminster.
The level of competency measured in the digital logbook uses a sliding numerical scale. This rating is validated by the employer, or whoever is assigned to supervise or mentor the new operator.
“The logbook puts the responsibility for certification on the new operators and the employer,” said Cocks. “It allows for an informed discussion and sets the stage, as they go through the whole process.”
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