Live machinery demonstrations and the latest in simulator technology will be featured. Industry experts will also be on hand to give practical safety advice to those who operate, manage, and work with cranes and aerial lifts.

Several cranes and aerial work platforms will be on display to help familiarize CONEXPO/CON-AGG attendees with the hazards associated with each. The new OSHA rules for cranes and derricks used in construction (29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC) specifically address general contractors’ increased responsibilities for disclosing ground conditions such as buried pipelines and hidden cavities, and the Lift Safety Zone will tangibly demonstrate the consequences that can result when operators are not aware of underlying conditions.

Construction Challenge

For the first time at ConExpo-Con/Agg, NCCCO will be a sponsor of the Construction Challenge, an innovative career-education initiative designed to engage high school students with real-world, hands-on experiences in the construction industry. Through competition, youth teams explore key elements of the highly diverse industry such as new technologies, research, engineering, project management, product development, manufacturing, services, support, and career pathways.

“With the average age of the construction worker now 52 years,” said NCCCO President John M. Kennedy, “there is a clear need to attract new blood into the workforce.” And with the large number of baby boomer retirements, it’s a problem that’s getting worse. “Research indicates that the construction industry needs to add one million jobs by 2012,” adds Kennedy, “and some of them will need to be crane operators.”

This was a main reason NCCCO is taking this opportunity to expose Construction Challenge participants to the opportunities that a career in this industry can provide, he said.

In the Construction Challenge teams of high school students around the country compete to solve infrastructure and design problems using teamwork, creativity, and problem solving. The top 24 teams advance to the Championship Finals at ConExpo-Con/Agg. Between 300 and 400 high school students are expected to visit both NCCCO’s indoor booth as well as the LSZ. Students will learn about the roles of crane operators as well as related activities such as riggers and signalers from industry veterans who will be on hand throughout the show. They’ll also have the opportunity to witness live demonstrations of crane and aerial lift equipment, and they’ll get to try their hand at a CCO practical exam on simulators provided by Simlog.

“This is an important opportunity for potential new entrants to the industry to learn not only about the hazards inherent in construction, but also how to mitigate them through proper training and professional certification,” said NCCCO’s Brent. “And, of course, we hope they will go away with the idea that this industry — and crane-related activities in particular—might provide them a profitable career path.”

NCCCO is among 19 sponsors of the Construction Challenge, among them AEM, Volvo, Caterpillar, Kobelco, Liebherr, Link-Belt Construction Equipment, and Manitowoc.