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CRAC update: Not slowing down amid pandemic

The Crane Rental Association of Canada (CRAC) has yet to slow down its operations and planning during COVID-19. Executive administrator Claire Bélanger-Parker says she and the CRAC board of directors have been very busy organizing webinars and moving forward with its two committees; the Boom Dolly Research Committee, and the Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

“We seem to have taken this time away from planning our live events and channelled it into digital items. We’ve prepared more webinars and other methods of learning,” says Bélanger-Parker. “We’ve also been able to continue work on our committees.”

The Boom Dolly Research Committee has been mandated by CRAC to:

• Access existing or commission research to support crane rental companies.
• Research and gather all material related to boom dolly.
• Research and gather material related to weights and dimensions.
• Advocate on behalf of CRAC members to increase weights and dimensions where appropriate.
• Develop a relationship with the international crane industry and share best practices.
• Support research and development of smart technology for cranes and dollies.
• Define and formulate strategies and recommendations and report to the BOD.

Claire Bélanger-Parker, executive director of the Crane Rental Association of Canada. Photo courtesy of CRAC

“The Boom Dolly Research Committee was created to gain government and industry support to reach weights and dimensions regulations to ensure the maximum safety of crane operators, drivers and the general public, during travel to and from job sites,” says Bélanger-Parker. “Also, to make recommendations to establish a standard weight increase for cranes according to industry recommendations and develop best practices for crane and dolly combinations.”

Another committee objective is to increase the participation of manufacturers in the development of smart technologies.

CRAC has also been focusing a lot of its attention on its Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

“Building relationships with Indigenous communities and construction companies in Canada has always been important but especially now in light of what has been happening across the country,” says the executive director.

The Diversity & Inclusion Committee is a standing committee of the Board. The members of this committee are committed to creating awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion at all levels of member organizations.

The Diversity & Inclusion Committee established objectives are:

• Advise the Board on matters relating to diversity and inclusion in the crane industry.
• Advocate for individuals in or seeking to join the crane industry.
• Develop strategies to increase diversity & inclusion in the industry.
• Provide networking opportunity among the industry.
• Encourage diversity and inclusion on the CRAC Board, Committees and at the Conference.
• Become an information resource for people interested to enter the crane industry.
• Recommend expert speakers for the annual conference relating to diversity & inclusion in the crane industry.
• Encourage media platforms to profile a diverse workforce.

CRAC has two webinars coming up before the end of 2020; “How to Speak Your Truth” on Nov. 25, and “Forged in the Heart of Fire” on Dec. 2.

Karen McGregor is the keynote speaker of the first webinar.

“We all have been inspired by the words of others at various points in our lives. Because of these words, we’ve been excited about making a greater impact on our family or community or even globally. In the past, many people have chosen to stay silent and repress their truth, but this is rapidly changing. Come and learn how to be that voice of inspiration and share your truth, whether for your children, grandchildren, in a boardroom or on a stage,” says the CRAC website.

Spencer Beach is the keynote speaker of the second.

“In a work-related accident, within 20 seconds, Spencer received third and fourth-degree burns to his body. He fought through the fire to escape to live. Holding onto fading thoughts of his wife and unborn child gave him the courage to find a way out. But he had no idea what survival would mean. How do you embrace change when it happens? Whether it is in a corporate restructure, new initiatives, a policy role out or change from unforeseen circumstances this presentation will ignite the audience in positively impact the outcome of change,” says the CRAC website.

Beach will share why change is positive as the audience discovers his greatest lesson was Forged in the Heart of Fire.

“We haven’t slowed down yet,” says Bélanger-Parker. “The year 2020 has been one of my busiest years on the team and we’re all learning to roll with what’s taken place this year and doing our best to learn as we go.”