Special competence is required of operators of certain types of particularly dangerous machinery.

Mobile crane operator

Only qualified individuals can work as mobile crane operators. However, no formal qualifications are required if the crane’s maximum lifting capacity is less than five tonnes. These so-called mini cranes are used in various small-scale installation works mostly in the industrial sector and in construction. However, even mini cranes can only be used by experienced operators, as they pose the same kinds of dangers as larger cranes.

Tower crane operator

Tower crane operators must have worked with tower cranes as part of their training. There is no specific vocational course for tower crane operators like there is for mobile crane operators, and instead tower cranes are covered by construction workers’ basic vocational education.

Loader crane operator (>25 tm)

Loader crane operators also need to be professionally trained if the crane’s loading torque is more than 25 tonne-metres and it is primarily used for something other than loading vehicles.

Recognition of foreign crane operator qualifications and site-specific permits can be requested from the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

Fork-lift truck driver’s authorisation 

The driver of a fork-lift truck used at a workplace must have an employer-issued authorisation. The authorisation must itemise the fork-lift truck type that it applies to. There are no specific requirements on the form of the authorisation. The authorisation may be a card held by the employee or stored elsewhere at the workplace, such as a list at the office. Prior to granting authorisation, the employer must ensure that the employee has sufficient skills for operating the machinery.

Authorisation of a driver of a device for lifting persons 

The driver of a device for lifting persons used at a workplace must have an employer-issued authorisation. The authorisation must itemise what it applies to. There are no specific requirements on the form of the authorisation. The authorisation may be a card held by the employee or stored elsewhere at the workplace, such as a list at the office. Prior to granting authorisation, the employer must ensure that the employee has sufficient skills for operating the machinery. 

Load attacher’s authorisation 

The employer must authorise its employee to attach loads to cranes intended for installation work. Prior to providing authorisation, the employer must ensure that the employee has sufficient competence and skill to attach loads.