Crane and Rigging Certification for Winslow's Rail and Highway Corridor

Old buildings beside an active main line

La Posada, designed by Mary Colter and opened by the Fred Harvey Company in 1930, closed as a hotel in 1957 and was headed for demolition after the railroad moved out in 1994. It was bought in 1997 and restored as a hotel and restaurant. Work on historic structures like that tends to demand careful lifting: setting new mechanical equipment without damaging old roofs, placing materials over finished courtyards, and working around active rail.

Railroad-adjacent work adds its own rules. Contractors near active tracks follow the railroad's protection requirements, and cranes working close to a live line must account for passing trains, overhead clearance and ground near ballast. Those conditions reward operators who understand load charts and setup inside out.

Power generation east of town

The Cholla Power Plant at Joseph City, a short drive east on I-40, retired its last coal units in 2025. APS has since proposed converting two of those units to burn natural gas, with construction targeted to begin in 2028 and roughly 380 megawatts of new capacity a year later. State regulators still need to approve that plan, so treat it as a proposal, not a sure thing.

If the conversion moves forward, it would be the kind of industrial job that calls for mobile cranes, experienced riggers and qualified signal persons for months at a time. Even without it, plant decommissioning, utility substations and transmission work keep crane hands busy along this stretch of northern Arizona.

Which certifications Winslow workers usually need

Federal OSHA's crane standard applies here through ADOSH, Arizona's State Plan agency. There is no Arizona crane license; instead, operators need accredited certification and an employer evaluation, while riggers and signal persons need to be qualified for their roles.

• Mobile crane operator for hydraulic and rough-terrain cranes on industrial and highway jobs
• Rigger Level II for workers who plan lifts, figure load weights and select rigging
• Signal person for crews where the operator's view is blocked
• Service truck crane operator for mechanics and maintenance crews

Wind on the plateau and the trip to test

The grasslands around Winslow are flat and open, and wind is a frequent visitor, especially in spring. Long loads such as bridge girders, rail panels or steel beams turn into sails, and the written exams expect you to know manufacturer wind limits and how to control a load with tag lines. Winter brings cold snaps and occasional snow on I-40 that can close the highway.

Our course prepares you for the written exams only; the practical test is a hands-on session arranged through the certifying body. Winslow candidates often look west to Flagstaff or south to Phoenix for exam dates. Crews from Show Low and Page face similar distances, so comparing schedules with them can help.