Michael McCaskill
Brenham,TX
Summary
Detail-oriented Crane Rigger and Forklift Operator specializing in safety compliance, load inspection, and advanced rigging techniques. Demonstrated success in upholding safety standards while training new personnel, ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols, and fostering a culture of safety and adaptability in high-pressure environments.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Ironworker/Crane Rigger/Forklift Operator
Ironworkers Union Local 135
Texas City, Texas
03.2013 - Current
- Joined Ironworkers Union Local 84 in 2013, completed the apprenticeship program and became a journeyman ironworker in 2016, then transferred to Local 135 in 2022.
- As a contractor, performed a variety of roles (ornamental and structural ironwork, equipment operations, layout, rigger, flagger/signal person) for many different companies.
- Construction projects included the Anadarko Towers in The Woodlands, TX, the ExxonMobil Campus in Spring, TX, and The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, making a noteworthy contribution to the downtown Houston skyline.
- Worked onsite outdoors in all weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
Crane Rigger/Forklift Operator
Deep South Crane and Rigging
Houston, TX
08.2023 - 10.2024
- On a daily basis, displayed flexibility with division of roles with other team members to adapt at short notice to the needs of the company by serving as a rigger, signal person, forklift operator, and spotter for tractor trailers (employing use of hand signals to direct movement).
- Ensured adequate cribbing and balance of loads while adhering to DOT regulations. Loaded and unloaded various crane parts and heavy lift rigging equipment. Utilized both forklift and Manitowoc 888 lattice yard crane.
- Acted as both the signal person for the crane operator and communicator of the lift plan to other personnel/clients to ensure smooth operations during projects, including critical lifts involving the use of multiple cranes for tandem lifts.
- Performed daily pre-use inspection of all-terrain forklifts, assisted in recordkeeping of maintenance needs and tagged out equipment, notifying mechanics of issues found that could impede safe operation.
- Restaged yard materials and equipment to expedite the loading/unloading of trailers for transport and to maintain a tidy yard by promoting good housekeeping practices.
- Inspected crane rigging components and removed components that didn't meet safety criteria from service. Notified supervisor of any such incidents requiring component replacement.
- Mentored new personnel/apprentices on proper use of crane/forklifts, rigging techniques, and adherence to company safety policies.
- Maintained forklift/aerial lift operation certification, as well as insurance certifications to operate company vehicles, as required by company policies.
- Completed safety training courses and certifications required for access to client facilities where lifts were to take place, adhered to client site policies and safety procedures of both site and company (whichever was more stringent). Attended daily safety briefings and worked with safety department head to further improve the company's safety culture.
Crane Rigger/Forklift Operator
Maxim Crane Works
Port Lavaca/Pasadena/Texas City, Texas
03.2019 - 07.2023
- Worked under contract for turnarounds dispatched from 3 different yards for clients including Shell Oil, Pemex, Invista, Formosa Plastics, Seadrift Coke, OxyVinyls, and Marathon Petroleum.
- Managed mobile crane setup and breakdown, resulting in efficient operation during jobs. Placed blocking for outriggers using an all-terrain forklift/shop forklift.
- Collaborated with rigging partner to develop plans for hoisting objects overcoming proximity issues with live running equipment or other spatial constraints to ensure precise load placement. Coordinated with other subcontractors to achieve a safe, efficient workflow at client sites.
- Communicated clearly with crane operators during lifts via radio or hand signals at many different elevations, locations, and visibility levels amidst structures (both day and night shift) at client sites.
- Laid out and utilized all-terrain forklift to construct large crane pads of varied-length timber mats for lattice boom cranes according to lift plans.
- Assembled assorted lattice boom cranes (under instruction of A/D director) from pieces transported to client site via tractor trailers. While standing atop incomplete crane at heights between 30-60ft, provided signals to mobile crane performing setup lifting, while adhering to 100% fall protection tie-off standard. Disassembled cranes upon project completion.
- Inspected loads prior to lifting to determine weight distribution and stability. Estimated weights, clearances involving sling length/angle/capacity, and center of gravity to eliminate lift complications.
- Conducted routine safety checks on forklifts to ensure operational readiness. Utilized both refinery-owned forklifts and company-rented equipment to unload, transport, and stage a wide variety of different industrial components before lifting with crane.
Ironworker/Rigger
Day and Zimmermann
Wadsworth, TX
09.2018 - 08.2021
- Coordinated with project managers within the South Texas Project nuclear operating facility to schedule tasks according to timelines and maintained detailed records of daily activities, while adhering to OSHA standards and those set forth by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
- Utilized hand signals and plant landlines to ensure team coordination during lifts and transport of both non-radioactive and radioactive materials and equipment through each reactor unit containment equipment hatch.
- Participated in multiple timed safety drills for equipment hatch closure procedures in case of emergency (ex: reactor meltdown potential).
- Participated in risk assessments/radiological survey briefings before each task within containment in order to identify and mitigate hazards, both radioactive and infrastructure. Thorough planning was employed to ensure A.L.A.R.A. (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) practices were followed to limit radioactive exposure.
- Removed and replaced existing grating and structural steel to gain access to cooling pumps within reactor containment walls using appropriate devices, including internal polar crane, chain falls, and come-along winches.
- While working as a contractor for multiple maintenance/refueling outages, maintained annually updated operational and safety knowledge through on-site continuing education and computer-based training to both gain access to, and perform tasks within both operating reactor units.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Ironworker Union Apprenticeship Program
Houston Community College
Houston, TXHigh School Diploma -
Parkview Baptist High School
Houston, TXSkills
- Forklift operation and inspection
- Rigging techniques and inspection
- Load inspection
- Interpersonal skills
- Safety/OSHA compliance
- Workflow coordination
- Problem solving
- Hazard assessment
- Job planning and preparation
- Team collaboration
Certification
- NCCCO Certified Rigger Lvl1 07/31/2023
- NCCCO Certified Signalperson 07/31/2023
- OSHA Certified Forklift Operator 01/24/2020
- OSHA Subpart L Aerial Lifts and Scissor lifts 01/24/2020
- OSHA 30-hr Construction Safety and Health 01/06/2015
- OSHA Subpart L Scaffold User/ED 11/07/2013
- OSHA Powered Industrial Truck Operator 11/04/2013
- OSHA Subpart R Steel Erection 05/11/2013
- OSHA 10-hr Construction Safety and Health 04/20/2013
Affiliations
- Fishing with my kids
- Mountain biking
- Movies and literature
Accomplishments
- While working for Day & Zimmermann, our team set a new record time for emergency equipment hatch closure completion. Also developed and implemented a more expedited method of closing the missile shield blast doors manually, resulting in a considerably faster closure.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Crane Rigger/Forklift Operator
Deep South Crane and Rigging
08.2023 - 10.2024
Crane Rigger/Forklift Operator
Maxim Crane Works
03.2019 - 07.2023
Ironworker/Rigger
Day and Zimmermann
09.2018 - 08.2021
Ironworker/Crane Rigger/Forklift Operator
Ironworkers Union Local 135
03.2013 - Current
Associate of Applied Science - Ironworker Union Apprenticeship Program
Houston Community College
High School Diploma -
Parkview Baptist High School