How to verify a Crane & plant operator CV — standards
Crane and plant operator CVs (ISCO 8343 for crane and hoist operators, ISCO 8342 for earthmoving operators) are among the hardest to assess. "Crane operator, 10 years" tells you nothing about which crane type the candidate is licensed for, whether the licence is still valid, or whether the medical fitness certificate has been renewed. Cross-border applications add another layer: certificate names, issuing bodies and formats differ from country to country.
The reference points are clear: EN 13000 for mobile cranes, ISO 9926-1 for minimum operator training, a national crane operator licence or NPK per crane type, national TGM certificates for excavators and loaders, rigger and signaller certificates, and Directive 2009/104/EC, which requires documented training before anyone uses work equipment. WorkerProof checks each CV against this matrix, verified 3× per CV.
What a strong CV must contain
A strong CV names the national crane operator licence / NPK and the crane type it covers — tower, mobile or overhead. A licence for one type is not evidence of competence on another.
ISO 9926-1 defines the minimum training of crane drivers, so the CV should reference training content, provider and dates, not only years on site. Directive 2009/104/EC requires that training be documented before the worker uses the equipment.
For mobile crane work, look for machine models, capacities and configurations, plus awareness of EN 13000 as the European safety standard for mobile cranes. Vague phrases like "all mobile cranes" are not verifiable evidence.
Excavator, loader and other plant work needs national TGM operator certificates per machine category. The CV should list each certificate and machine group rather than grouping everything under "plant operator".
If the candidate slings loads or guides crane drivers, national rigger and signaller certificates should be listed — covering sling types and WLL, angle effects, inspection of chains and belts, and standard hand and radio signals.
A current medical fitness certificate belongs on the CV with its issue date. Together with the licence, it is what allows you to assign the candidate to crane or plant work at all.
⚠️ Red flags to watch for
Questions to ask the candidate
- 01Which crane types is your national crane operator licence / NPK issued for — tower, mobile or overhead — and when was it issued?
- 02Can you provide the training record behind your licence, so we can see it against the minimum crane driver training set out in ISO 9926-1?
- 03Which mobile crane models and capacities have you operated, and how do you apply EN 13000 safety requirements during set-up and lifting?
- 04Which national TGM operator certificates do you hold, and for which machine categories — excavator, loader or others?
- 05Do you hold rigger and signaller certificates, and can you explain WLL, the effect of sling angles and the standard hand and radio signals you use?
The official standards behind the score
WorkerProof checks every CV against this verified matrix.
- National crane operator licence / NPK (by crane type)
- EN 13000 (mobile cranes)
- ISO 9926-1 (operator training)
- Directive 2009/104/EC
- National TGM operator certificates (excavator, loader…)
- Rigger / signaller certificates
- Medical fitness certificate
Frequently asked questions
Which standards apply to a crane operator CV in the EU?
The main references are EN 13000 for mobile cranes and ISO 9926-1 for minimum crane driver training. On top of these, every EU country requires a national crane operator licence per crane type, often together with rigger and signaller certificates.
Is EN 13000 or ISO 9926-1 enough on its own?
No. EN 13000 is a safety standard for mobile cranes and ISO 9926-1 defines training content, but operating a crane in the EU additionally requires the national licence for that crane type. Both layers need to be evidenced in the CV.
What does Directive 2009/104/EC mean for hiring?
It obliges employers to let workers use work equipment — including cranes, MEWPs and forklifts — only after documented training, and to organise work at height safely, with guardrails first and PPE as a last resort. In practice, you need the training documentation on file before assigning work.
Do I need to check rigger and signaller certificates too?
Yes, if the role includes attaching loads or signalling to the crane driver. These national certificates, grounded in Directive 2009/104/EC, cover sling types and WLL, angle effects, inspection of chains and belts, and standard hand and radio signals.
Does WorkerProof recognise foreign qualifications?
No. WorkerProof verifies the documents and claims in a CV against the official standards matrix — national licences and TGM certificates, EN 13000, ISO 9926-1, Directive 2009/104/EC, rigger and signaller certificates and medical fitness certificates — with each CV verified 3×. Legal recognition of a qualification remains a matter for the competent national authority.
Stop guessing. Verify.
Upload a CV and get a scored, 3×-verified report against these exact standards in minutes.
Analyze a CV free →