Safety Spotlight
By Seth Skydel
Workforce Development
Streamlining Training
Buckner HeavyLift Cranes is enhancing safety and reducing certification costs
For more than 75 years, Buckner HeavyLift Cranes, based in Graham, North Carolina, has been a leader in large-scale crane operations, specializing in complex projects in wind power, stadium construction, refineries and industrial development. With the fifth-largest crawler crane fleet in the U. S., Buckner adopts and incorporates the latest cutting-edge technologies to consistently provide quality services, minimize equipment-related issues and prevent incidents and injuries.
For Buckner, however, managing certification and safety compliance training for over 75 crane operators across multiple branches posed significant challenges. Among them were finding ways to ensure consistent Certified Crane Operator( CCO) recertification training across a dispersed workforce while managing the administrative complexity that came with the size and scope of their operations.
CCO certification is essential for Buckner’ s workforce, with operators required to recertify every five years. But relying on paper-based study prep guides that had to be mailed to employees nationwide, noted Colton Rhew, national safety manager at Buckner, created inefficiencies, limited visibility into progress and delayed preparation timelines.
Also concerns for Buckner were the high costs and logistical hurdles of in-person CCO training and travel as well as finding a means of adhering to safety and compliance training mandates while tracking completion rates across branches. In addition, there was the need to provide ongoing access to up-to-date training resources.
To address these issues, Buckner established a series of training program goals, including:
• Standardize, scale and track crane operator training for CCO mobile crane recertification and safety compliance
To augment and supplement their existing infrastructure of in-person training events for more than 75 crane operators, Buckner HeavyLift Cranes is using digital training solutions supplied and supported by Industrial Training International( ITI).
• Reduce costs and administrative burdens associated with CCO recertification
• Implement incentive programs to drive safety compliance and training engagement
• Broaden digital training adoption among seasoned operators while equipping sales teams and apprentices with deeper technical knowledge to support their growth and effectiveness
Digital Solutions
Today, while in-person training remains essential for hands-on skill development, Buckner is addressing its training challenges by strategically and selectively using online courses. The digital training solutions are being supplied and supported by Industrial Training International( ITI), an Interplay Learning company.
To augment and supplement their existing infrastructure of in-person training
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October 2025 • www. cranehotline. com