Is a Crane Chaser Job for You? Interview with a Newbie

Trading Textbooks for Tool Belts

Sarah had always been a hands-on person. Classrooms felt stifling, the itch to do something tangible always scratching at her mind. When a friend mentioned the booming construction industry and something called “crane chaser,” a spark flickered.

Now, fresh off her Dogging course certification and with her first few shifts on a bustling building site under her belt, Sarah’s enthusiasm is infectious. Her story sheds light on the path from student to crane chaser, a path less traveled but full of potential.

“Dogman” – More Than Meets the Eye

Let’s get the basics out of the way. A crane chaser, or dogman as they’re commonly known on Aussie worksites, is responsible for directing crane operations on the ground. You’ll see them rigging loads, slinging, and communicating with crane operators via hand signals or radio. Seems straightforward, right? Not quite.

Mythbusting: What’s NOT in the Job Ad

• “It’s Just Muscle Work.” Sure, dogmen need to be physically fit, but Sarah emphasises, “There’s way more thinking involved than I expected. Spatial awareness, remembering all the sling types, quick calculations under pressure… it’s a workout for your mind too.”

• “Once You’re Qualified, You’re Set.” “Learning never stops!” Sarah says. “Different sites have different gear, and there’s specialised rigging for fancy loads. The guys who’ve been doing this years have knowledge I want to soak up.”

• “Lone Wolf Gig.” While technically you often work independently, Sarah stresses the teamwork aspect. “Trust is everything. You trust the crane operator, they trust you, and everyone trusts the quality of your rigging. Slip up, and it’s not just stuff that breaks, it’s lives on the line.”

The Transition: Classroom to Chaos

With construction jobs on the rise (the Australian Government’s Job Outlook projects strong growth for the sector), more people are eyeing dogman courses. But what’s it REALLY like?

• The Nitty-Gritty: Sarah’s course was a mix of theory and practical. Safety, naturally, was hammered home, along with load weight calculations, sling and equipment standards, and of course, perfecting those hand signals.

• Surprise Hurdle: “The radio!” Sarah laughs. “It sounds dumb, but learning the lingo and staying calm when things get hectic was harder than I thought.” Communication is a safety lifeline, not just idle chatter.

• Reality Check: “Nothing prepares you for that first day on a real site,” Sarah admits. “The noise, the sheer scale… but that’s also the thrill! It pushes you to step up.”

A Day in the Life (Beyond the Clichés)

Forget the image of just yelling “Up!” and “Down!” Sarah paints a more nuanced picture:

• Mornings Ain’t Lazy: Pre-start safety checks on all your gear, meetings with the crew to figure out the day’s lifts – organised chaos is the name of the game.

• Problem-Solving On the Fly: “Blueprints are one thing, the real world’s another,” Sarah says. Obstacles, tight squeezes… figuring out a rigging solution that’s SAFE and efficient is strangely satisfying.”

• Endurance Matters: “It’s long shifts, on your feet. Even when waits happen, focus is key. One slip when you’re tired can be disastrous.”

Challenges and Sweet Rewards

Let’s be honest, no job is all sunshine. Here’s what Sarah is upfront about:

• Weather Warrior: “Rain, searing heat, wind… if it stops construction completely, it stops your pay. Loving the outdoors is non-negotiable.”
• Thick Skin Helps: “Some old-school guys might test newbies. Prove you’re serious, willing to learn, and you’ll earn respect.”
• The Payoff? “Seeing a massive section of a building slot into place because YOU made it happen…nothing beats that. Plus,” Sarah grins, “the pay’s not bad, especially with overtime!” (Construction laborers, of which dogmen are a part, enjoy good average wages according to the Australian Governments Labour market insights, crane chaser earnings can be anywhere between $1.7k and $2k per week)