Tom's background, outlined below, includes more than 15 years of accident investigation and more than 38 years as a crane operator, inspector and instructor, easily qualifies him as a crane accident expert.
Experience
Tom in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska where temperatures sometimes reached minus-40. Hair blowers were used to keep controls from freezing.
- 38 years as an operator and inspector of cranes and crane operator instructor.
- 15 years as a crane accident investigator and expert witness.
- 13 years experience working cranes on the water, including off loading barges, jack-up platforms, general cargo and construction materials, pile driving, clamming and hook work.
- Operator experience on land includes working in Prudhoe Bay oilfield, setting steel, tilt ups, building trades, heavy picks, drag lining and using multiple cranes to make various heavy picks.
- Investigated more than 55 high-profile crane accidents.
- 13 years experience as Crane Inspector, approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. C.F.R. Codes 1919
Special Projects
- Initiated the program and instructed the advanced and intermediate crane classes for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 302 in Palmer, Alaska.
- Heavily involved in a special project, helping the NCCER procure the NCCER Manual for the apprentice-ship training program for Tower Crane Operators.
Certifications
- Certified by Associated General Contractors to teach the Professional Crane Operators Program
- Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SC&RA) Member
- OSHA Certified Outreach Trainer
- OSHA Certified for Mine training
- CDL Driver's License
Education
- Training Institute of Canada, Craning and Rigging course
- Manitowoc Crane Manufacturer, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- FMC Corporation, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- P&H Crane Manufacturer, Conway, South Carolina
- Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau, Orlando, Florida
- 1972 - Anchorage Community College, Structural Steel Welding
- 1960 - Anchorage West High School, graduate
Media: Articles and Appearances
- Crane Equipment Guide article "Crane Inspector Sounds Off on Safety Issues Facing the Industry"
- Crane Works Magazine, Sept/Oct 1999, "Landing an Offshore Job"
- Contractors Hotline Magazine, November 2003, "For Your Consideration"
- Contractor Tools and Supplies, March 2003 "No Two Lifts are Alike"
- Crane Works Magazine, May-June 2004 "Time to Regulate Inspectors"
- Crane Works Magazine, November-December 2004 "Don’t Let Technology Substitute For Thinking"
- Crane Works Magazine, June 2005 "Crane Training Lacking in U.S"
- MSNBC program "Heavy Metal-Big Rigs"
- Crane Works Magazine, "Safe Advice, A Commitment to Accident Prevention"
- Contractors Hot Line, August 3, 2007 "Waiting to see a Transformation"
- Crane Works Magazine, November/December 2005 "Crane Repair, Replacement, and Accidents"
- Modern Contractor Solutions, March 2008 "Tower Cranes Warrant Closer Look"