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Crane drivers

monitoring sensors that measure wind, inspecting crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage and monitoring hand signals. If that's your week, this page is about your job.

The honest answer

AI changes the edges of this job, not the middle: attaching loads to rigging to provide support or preparing them is work software can't reach.

Your move: what you can actually do about this ↓

What shifts is interpreting, and complying withing contract information to carry out lifting activities: the overhead at the edges, not the middle you trained for.

Your week, as this page understands it

Crane drivers supervise and undertake the operation of cranes, jib cranes, power driven hoisting machinery and power driven stationary engines to raise and lower mine and other cages, and to lift and move equipment, materials, machinery and containers. The job title says “crane drivers”. The real job is the part underneath: attaching loads to rigging to provide support or preparing them. That is the thing someone has to be right about.

The exposed part of this job is specific, and we won’t pretend it is coming back. But crane drivers is not one task. It is 42 scored ones, and they are nowhere near equally exposed. The most durable of them, on this evidence, is attaching loads to rigging to provide support or preparing them, and the ledger below shows exactly why.

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI
0%
changing shape
4%
staying human
96%

These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.

Whole-job exposure score 5 out of 100 (4–10 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, across 42 scored tasks. The number is the support for the sentence above it, not a headline about anyone’s future.

How we know this

What is measured: Every published task statement for crane drivers is rated on five dimensions: can a model produce the output, does the work need a body in a room, does it need a legally accountable person, does it depend on a person being trusted in the moment, and how much data exists. A published formula turns those five ratings into the score; the model never writes the number.

How the bar is built: Each task’s share of the bar is its published importance weight, so a task you do all day counts for more than one you do twice a year.

Release: 2026-q4.1, scores computed 2026-08-05. Read the full method.

Your job, task by task

These are the official task statements for this occupation, in plain English, sorted by what the evidence says is happening to each one. The official wording sits under every line so you can check the rewrite against it.

Shifting to AI

0 tasks

Tasks today’s tools can already do most of. This is the part we will not soften: where these rows are the bulk of your week, the week changes.

Nothing in this job’s scored task list landed in this group. That is the measurement, not an editorial choice, and it is worth knowing either way.

Changing shape

2 tasks

Tasks where the machine takes the producing and a person keeps the checking, the deciding, or the answering-for-it. For most jobs this is the biggest group, and it is where "transformation, not termination" is literally visible.

  • Interpreting, and complying withing contract information to carry out lifting activities

    The software now makes the first pass at contract information, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.

    importance 70 · 8221/00
    Source: “Interpret and comply with contract information to carry out lifting activities.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 49 out of 100 (42–56 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.

    The rating behind it: Reading contract and site paperwork to work out what the lift involves is document work software does well.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Reviewing daily work or delivery schedules to determine orders

    The software now makes the first pass at work, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.

    importance 50 · 8221/00
    Source: “Review daily work or delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, or special loading instructions.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.

    The rating behind it: Reading schedules to work out delivery order is planning on paper that software does quickly.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Staying human

40 tasks

Tasks that stay with a person, because they happen in the physical world, because the rules need someone accountable, or because the value is that a specific person does them.

  • Monitoring sensors that measure wind

    This work happens in the physical world: sensors, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 80 · 8221/00
    Source: “Monitor sensors that measure wind speed, crane stability and load weights.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 16 out of 100 (9–23 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Sensor readings are easy for software to watch, but the operator acts on them from inside the cab.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Ensuring safe working practices for the moving

    This work happens in the physical world: safe working practices, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 80 · 8221/00
    Source: “Ensure safe working practices for the moving, handling, and storing of resources and equipment.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 14 out of 100 (7–21 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Software can write the safe-handling rules, but actually moving and storing equipment safely happens on the shop floor.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Communicating with the lifting team and following organizational procedures for productive work

    This work happens in the physical world: the lifting team, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 80 · 8221/00
    Source: “Communicate with the lifting team and follow organizational procedures for productive work.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 6 out of 100 (0–13 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Radio talk during a lift comes from the cab, and quick coordination depends on people who know each other’s habits.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Attaching loads to rigging to provide support or preparing them

    This work happens in the physical world: loads, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 80 · 8221/00
    Source: “Attach loads to rigging to provide support or prepare them for moving, using hand and power tools.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it.

    The rating behind it: Slinging a load means hands on chains and hooks at the lifting point, and only trained, carded riggers are allowed to do it.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Demonstrating safe lifting operations, including reading lift plans and using lifting accessories correctly

    This work happens in the physical world: safe lifting operations, including reading lift plans, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 80 · 8221/00
    Source: “Demonstrate safe lifting operations, including reading lift plans and using lifting accessories correctly.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Showing safe lifting in practice means doing the lift with the gear in your hands.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Performing safety checks on machines to ensure operational integrity

    This work happens in the physical world: safety checks, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 80 · 8221/00
    Source: “Perform safety checks on machines to ensure operational integrity.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Safety checks mean walking round the machine and testing it.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Conforming with manufacturers' requirements, lift plans/method statements, ground loading charts and inspection and reporting forms

    This work happens in the physical world: manufacturers' requirements, lift plans/method statements, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8221/00
    Source: “Conform with manufacturers' requirements, lift plans/method statements, ground loading charts, and inspection and reporting forms.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 28 out of 100 (21–35 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it.

    The rating behind it: Lift plans, load charts and inspection forms are structured documents software handles well, though a qualified person signs the plan.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Determining load weights and checking them against lifting capacities to prevent overload

    This work happens in the physical world: load weights, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8221/00
    Source: “Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 28 out of 100 (21–35 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it.

    The rating behind it: Checking weights against a lifting chart is calculation software does reliably, but lifts must still be planned by a properly trained person.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Show the other 32 tasks

  • Selecting loads or materials according to weight and size specifications

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: loads, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Select loads or materials according to weight and size specifications.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 16 out of 100 (9–23 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Weights, sizes and load charts are exactly the kind of figures software checks well, but the load is in front of you.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Inspecting and maintaining tools and equipment

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: tools, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Inspect and maintain tools and equipment, reporting any defects and following correct procedures for disposal.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 9 out of 100 (2–16 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: The reporting can be automated, but checking and maintaining lifting gear means handling the equipment itself.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Maintaining close communication with ground workers to ensure safe operations

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: close communication, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8221/00
    Source: “Maintain close communication with ground workers to ensure safe operations.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 3 out of 100 (0–10 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Safe lifting depends on constant, trusted talk between the cab and the crew on the ground.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Applying hand or foot brakes and moving levers to lock hoists or winches

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: hand, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8221/00
    Source: “Apply hand or foot brakes and move levers to lock hoists or winches.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Applying brakes and levers is done with hands and feet in the cab.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Cleaning lubricate and maintaining mechanisms, cables, pulleys or grappling devices

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: lubricate, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8221/00
    Source: “Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Cleaning and greasing cables and pulleys is hands-on maintenance.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Employing jacks and hoists for lifting heavy objects

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: jacks, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8221/00
    Source: “Employ jacks and hoists for lifting heavy objects.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Using jacks and hoists to lift heavy items is physical work.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Inspecting cables or grappling devices for wear

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: cables, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8221/00
    Source: “Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Checking cables for wear means running your eyes and hands along them.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Inspecting crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: crane mechanisms, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8221/00
    Source: “Inspect crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Inspecting crane gear is done at the machine.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Monitoring hand signals, grade stakes or other markings when operating machinery to ensure work is carried out

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: hand signals, grade stakes or other markings, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8221/00
    Source: “Monitor hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machinery to ensure work is carried out to specifications.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Watching hand signals and site markings while driving the machine is done from the seat.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Moving materials and equipment to designated areas within the site using appropriate machinery

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: materials, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8221/00
    Source: “Move materials and equipment to designated areas within the site using appropriate machinery.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Moving materials round a site means driving the machine.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Operating cherry pickers

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: cherry pickers, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8221/00
    Source: “Operate cherry pickers for lifting, moving, or placing loads by moving levers, pressing foot pedals, or turning dials.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Operating a cherry picker is hands-on machine control.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Operating small cranes to transport or position large parts

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: small cranes, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8221/00
    Source: “Operate small cranes to transport or position large parts.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Operating a crane means being at the controls.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Safelying set up, configure, lift, move and placing loads while minimizing the risk of damage to the work and surrounding area

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: set up, configure, lift, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8221/00
    Source: “Safely set up, configure, lift, move, and place loads while minimizing the risk of damage to the work and surrounding area.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Setting up and placing a load is physical crane work.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Signaling other workers to position equipment

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: other workers, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 70 · 8221/00
    Source: “Signal other workers to position equipment.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Signalling workers to position equipment is done on site in view of them.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Assisting in unloading materials

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: unloading materials, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Assist in unloading materials.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Unloading materials is lifting and carrying, which software cannot do.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Climbing ladders to position and set up vehicle-mounted derricks

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: ladders, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Climb ladders to position and set up vehicle-mounted derricks.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Climbing a ladder to set up a derrick is physical work.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Directing helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: helpers, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Directing helpers placing blocking under a crane happens right next to them.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Installing or replacing cables in crane systems

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: cables, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Install or replace cables in crane systems as needed.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Fitting crane cables is heavy hands-on work.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Loading and unloading goods from lorries for delivery and transporting operations

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: goods, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Load and unload goods from lorries for delivery and transport operations.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it.

    The rating behind it: Lifting goods on and off a lorry is done from the machine, and the operator needs recognised lifting certification.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Making repairs to mechanisms

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: repairs, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Make repairs to mechanisms as necessary.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Repairing mechanisms means working on the parts with tools.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Moving containers to storage bins using moving equipment

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: containers, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Move containers to storage bins using moving equipment.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Moving containers into bins means driving the equipment.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Moving or repositioning hoists, winches, loads and materials manually or using lorries, cars and sack trucks

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: hoists, winches, loads and materials, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Move or reposition hoists, winches, loads, and materials manually or using lorries, cars, and sack trucks.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Shifting hoists and loads by hand or vehicle is physical work.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Operating compressed air-driven hoists to control movement of construction equipment

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: compressed air-driven hoists, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Operate compressed air-driven hoists to control movement of construction equipment.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Operating air-driven hoists is done at the controls.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Operating controls to raise derricks

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: controls, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Operate controls to raise derricks.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Raising a derrick is done at the machine’s controls.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Operating electromagnets for lifting, moving or placing loads by moving levers, pressing foot pedals or turning dials

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: electromagnets, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Operate electromagnets for lifting, moving, or placing loads by moving levers, pressing foot pedals, or turning dials.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Operating a lifting magnet is hands-on machine control.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Repairing, maintaining and adjusting equipment using hand tools

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: equipment, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Repair, maintain, and adjust equipment using hand tools.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Repairing and adjusting equipment with hand tools is physical work.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Securing and protecting the load using approved methods and equipment

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: the load, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Secure and protect the load using approved methods and equipment, minimizing the potential for slippage.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it.

    The rating behind it: Strapping and securing a load happens physically on the vehicle, and the person doing it needs recognised lifting training.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Starting engines of hoists or winches to lift and move heavy loads

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: engines of hoists, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Start engines of hoists or winches to lift and move heavy loads.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Starting a hoist engine is done at the machine.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Starting hoist or winch drums by moving levers

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: hoist, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 60 · 8221/00
    Source: “Start hoist or winch drums by moving levers, pedals, and throttles in response to signals or observations.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Working levers, pedals and throttles is physical control of the winch.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Carrying out minor repairs to cockpit or crane machinery

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: minor repairs, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 50 · 8221/00
    Source: “Carry out minor repairs to cockpit or crane machinery.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Minor repairs in the cab or on the crane are done with tools.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Disconnecting cables or lines

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: cables, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 50 · 8221/00
    Source: “Disconnect cables or lines as needed.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Disconnecting cables is done by hand.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Oiling winch drums so that cables will wind smoothly

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: winch drums, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 50 · 8221/00
    Source: “Oil winch drums so that cables will wind smoothly.” (UK task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Oiling a winch drum is hands-on maintenance.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

What this job pays, and how many people do it

Median pay
£46,500a year, before tax, the middle of the range, so half earn more and half earn less.ashe-t14, 2025 · ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025)Provisional, because the ONS revises this figure in the autumn.
How we know this

Source: ashe-t14

Reference period: ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025)

Rounding: Shown to the nearest £100. The exact published figure is in the downloadable dataset. We do not render pounds the survey cannot support.

People doing this job
11,500in the UK, 2026.nomis-aps · Apr 2025-Mar 2026 (latest APS 12-month period)This headcount comes from a survey, not a census, so treat it as a good estimate rather than an exact count.

What is deliberately not here: a forecast of how many of these jobs exist in ten years. Where an official projection exists for a market we publish it with its vintage; where it does not, we leave the space empty rather than borrow the other country’s number.

Why this is shifting

The reason is boringly specific. Most of what is shifting here is reading one thing and writing another: contract information in, a record out. The rows above are exactly that shape: interpreting, and complying withing contract information to carry out lifting activities. What it cannot do is be answerable: loads need a named person the rules will accept, and software cannot be that person. Which is why this page talks about your tasks changing, not your job ending.

Your move

Over a pint: what I’d tell you if you were my friend

Start with what does not change: attaching loads to rigging to provide support or preparing them is the middle of this job, and the evidence on this page says it stays with a person.

So, given all that: 0% of this job's task weight sits in rows the software is already learning, 4% in rows that change shape rather than disappear, and 96% in rows it is nowhere near. That is the position, measured across 42 scored tasks. It is not a forecast about you.

So the thing worth your attention is not the job going away. It is the layer around it. Interpreting, and complying withing contract information to carry out lifting activities is the part turning into software, and being the person who understands that layer is worth money.

This week: one thing

Ask the one question. Find whoever is bringing new software into your workplace (the manager, the office, whoever runs the system) and ask them what it is meant to do to contract information, and what it is not meant to touch. Ten minutes, this week, before anyone decides it for you.

What you end up holding
a straight answer about what is actually being rolled out, and when
How long it takes
ten minutes

If there’s nobody obvious to ask, or you’d rather not ask your manager: Put the same question to your union rep, your shift lead or the person who has been there longest, in person, over a break. Same ten minutes, same answer, and you will usually get a straighter one. Write down what they say. The note is the artifact, and it tells you whether safe working practices are in scope or not. Nothing to log into, no licence needed.

Over the next 90 days

Get inside the tool rollout rather than waiting for it. Over the next ninety days, ask to be in the group that tests, checks or signs off whatever new system arrives near interpreting, and complying withing contract information to carry out lifting activities. It is usually an unglamorous seat that nobody fights for, and it is the one that decides how the software is used on your job rather than to it.

Over the next 12 months

On this evidence I would not retrain out of this job, and I will say that plainly rather than hedge it. The task list here is dominated by work that stays with a person. What I would do with a year is get formally recognised for the layer around it (the systems, the compliance, the planning), so you are the one who understands the software instead of the one it is done to. Before you pay for anything, spend an hour with National Careers Service. It is free and government-funded, and it is listed below with the rest of the free routes.

The roads out of here, and why I am not sending you down them

I looked at the obvious moves out of this job, and here is what I found.

I checked the 12 nearest UK occupations to crane drivers (nearest by the work that AI is not taking, not by job title), and none of them survived. The closest was scaffolders, stagers and riggers: only about 13% of its durable work is work you already do and it pays 10.6% less. And on the numbers you do not need one. This job scores 5/100 here, with only 0% of the task list in the top band, and “attach loads to rigging to provide support or prepare them for moving…” is not work that hands over cleanly. None of them beats deepening what you already have.

How that was checked: this job was compared against all 412 UK occupations in this release on their official task statements, and the 12 nearest were examined one by one. A move that turns on an industry, an employer or a qualification rather than on the work itself will not show up in a check like that. And this release carries no licence register, so anything you are weighing needs that looked up separately.

3 moves I checked and rejected

These are the obvious-looking jumps. They are here with their reasons rather than quietly dropped, because the ones that fail are worth knowing about. It is one less thing to turn over at night.

  • Scaffolders, stagers and riggers

    Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “attach loads to rigging to provide support or prepare them for moving, using hand and power…”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 13% of the work in that job the software is not taking.

    Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 13% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on. It is a pay cut, in those words: £41,548 against your £46,463, 10.6% less (ASHE Table 14.7a, 2025 provisional (both)). Retraining to earn less is a decision, not advice.

    Look at that job’s page anyway →

  • Heavy and large goods vehicle drivers

    Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “secure and protect the load using approved methods and equipment, minimizing the potential for slippage”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 10% of the work in that job the software is not taking.

    Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 10% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on. It is a pay cut, in those words: £39,905 against your £46,463, 14.1% less (ASHE Table 14.7a, 2025 provisional (both)). Retraining to earn less is a decision, not advice.

    Look at that job’s page anyway →

  • Elementary storage occupations n.e.c.

    Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour on the work AI is not taking: you already load and unload goods from lorries for delivery and transport operations, and their equivalent is to operate ship loading and unloading equipment. Across both published task lists that is about 4% of the durable work in that job.

    Why I am not recommending it: Almost none of it is work you already do: about 4% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step. It is a pay cut, in those words: £35,863 against your £46,463, 22.8% less (ASHE Table 14.7a, 2025 provisional (both)). Retraining to earn less is a decision, not advice.

    Look at that job’s page anyway →

What I’d stop worrying about

A friend tells you what not to spend fear on. This is that list.

  • The headline number you read somewhere

    The big “X% of jobs” figures are about the whole economy, not about you. The number that describes your job is on this page: 0% of its task weight, across 42 scored tasks. Every row behind it is printed above with the source. Check ours; ignore theirs.

  • The headlines about your trade disappearing

    They are usually about the technology, not the timetable. Changes to work like attaching loads to rigging to provide support or preparing them arrive through rules, insurance and money, slowly and visibly. This page tracks the task evidence and will move when it moves.

  • Retraining out of a job that is holding up

    On this evidence I would not spend money leaving. Spend it on the layer around the job instead: the tools, the paperwork, the planning. That is where the change actually is.

  • The “obvious” next job everyone suggests

    I checked the obvious moves and most of them did not survive. The reasons are printed with the routes above, including the pay and the gate. A move that fails on the numbers is worth knowing about so you can stop turning it over at night.

If you run a team doing this job

If you run a team doing this job, the conversation you owe them is the one on this page, and sooner than feels comfortable. Show them the ledger rather than a reassurance: the rows moving toward the software are interpreting, and complying withing contract information to carry out lifting activities, and the rows that are not are where you want your people visible. Ask each of them to do the this-week move and bring the list to your next one-to-one. It turns a rumour into a piece of work, and it tells you which parts of your team's week are actually at stake. And say the thing out loud that a team lead usually leaves unsaid: a shrinking team is your exposure too, so do the move yourself as well.

You are reading the United Kingdom figures

The United States splits this work across more than one official group, of which Amusement and Recreation Attendants is the closest. The pay and employment figures are not directly comparable, and we do not average them together.

Switch to the United States page →partial match

The other groups this work is counted across:

In US official statistics this job is counted as Amusement and Recreation Attendants, Bridge and Lock Tenders, Crane and Tower Operators and Hoist and Winch Operators. Pay is shown separately for each of those groups (medians cannot be averaged together), while the task list and the scores on this page are for this group only.

Your route through this

Where to go next, and what it costs

Free, and complete

The moves above cost nothing. These are the real services that go with them: public, government-funded, and free at the point of use. Nothing on this page is behind an email address or a payment.

Why there is no community here

Collab365, who build this site, run paid Spaces for a small number of subjects, and none of them is built for this job. We are not going to point you at the nearest one and call it a fit.

So the free services listed on this page are the whole answer, and it is the same answer we would give a friend.

Noted, and thank you. We’ll email you if a Space for crane drivers launches. Nothing else.

That did not look like an email address, so nothing was saved. Have another go below.

We could not save that. The fault is ours, not yours, and your address was not stored. Please try again later.

No Space for crane drivers yet. Should there be one?

Collab365 Spaces is built by the same people as this site. We find the problems that AI and automation are creating inside one kind of work, then solve them as short courses, briefings and Blueprints. Each Space is the community too, so the research and the people doing your job are in the same place.

What a Space actually is, in full

Collab365 launches new communities where the need is real. If one for crane drivers existed, with researched problems, courses and people in the same boat, would you want in?

We use your email address for one thing: to tell you if a Space for crane drivers launches. We never sell it, never use it for unrelated marketing, and every email has a one-click unsubscribe. Our privacy policy has the full version.

This unlocks nothing. Every figure, every row and every step on this page is already yours, whether you fill this in or not.

No deadline on any of this. The page will still be here, and the data is refreshed on a published schedule rather than when someone wants a headline.

Questions people ask about this job

Will AI replace Crane drivers?
Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 42 official task statements scored for Crane drivers (United Kingdom, SOC 8221), 0% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 5 out of 100 (range 4–10, band: minimal). That is a statement about tasks, not about headcount: this measures what AI could do, not whether any employer adopts it, whether the law allows it, or whether doing the routine parts faster creates more demand for the human parts. Figures are from release 2026-q4.1.
Which tasks in “Crane drivers” can AI already do?
The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Review daily work or delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, or special loading instructions” (56/100, partial); “Interpret and comply with contract information to carry out lifting activities” (49/100, partial); “Conform with manufacturers' requirements, lift plans/method statements, ground loading charts, and inspection and reporting forms” (28/100, low). Each score comes from five published 0–4 ratings turned into a number by a published formula, and each carries the model's one-sentence reason on the page.
Which tasks in “Crane drivers” stay human?
About 96% of this job's task weight sits in work that scores low for AI exposure. The lowest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Oil winch drums so that cables will wind smoothly” (0/100, minimal); “Disconnect cables or lines as needed” (0/100, minimal); “Carry out minor repairs to cockpit or crane machinery” (0/100, minimal). Low scores usually mean the task needs a body in a room, a legally accountable human, or trust built in real time. Those are the three things the scoring rubric treats as gates rather than obstacles.
What should someone working in “Crane drivers” do about AI?
Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 0% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 96% is not. The practical move is to spend more of your week on the tasks that score low, the ones above, and to get fluent at directing AI through the tasks that score high, because those are the parts that change whether or not you are ready for them. This page does not predict your job, and nothing here is career advice tailored to you: the score describes the occupation, not the person.
How is the AI exposure score for Crane drivers calculated?
Each official task statement for the occupation is rated on five published 0–4 dimensions (output replicability, physical embodiment, licensed accountability, real-time human trust, and data availability) by claude-opus-5 using scoring prompt task_scoring_v1.0. The model never writes the score; a published formula turns the five ratings into a 0–100 number, so every score can be recomputed by hand. The occupation figure is the importance-weighted mean across 42 scored tasks. The prompt, the rubric, the formula and the full dataset are published at https://futureproof.collab365.com/method and https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1 under CC BY 4.0.

Where these numbers come from

About the data on this page

  • Provisional, because the ONS revises this figure in the autumn.
  • This headcount comes from a survey, not a census, so treat it as a good estimate rather than an exact count.
  • The match between this job and its counterpart in the other country is partial, so the two pages count slightly different groups of people.
  • 12 of this occupation's scored task statements carry a score that was measured under a different occupation's context, because the statement is shared between jobs and has only been scored once so far. Each one names the occupation it was measured under in the free routes below; none is presented as a measurement for this job.
  • Task clusters are not derived in this release, so the task-cluster field is empty and no Collab365 Space routing is attached to this occupation yet.
Task statements
gaisi-indexProcessing: catalogue-bridge → ssc-relatedness-weighting → task-scoring → score-aggregation
Task weights
gaisi-index (relatedness)
Scores
Rubric task_scoring_v1.0, model claude-opus-5, computed 2026-08-05.
Pay and employment
ashe-t14 (ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025))nomis-aps (Apr 2025-Mar 2026 (latest APS 12-month period))

Figures on this page come from release 2026-q4.1, published 2026-08-05. Every release keeps its own permanent address, so a figure you cite in March is still there, unchanged, in November.

The plain-English wording on this page is assembled directly from the task statements and the published ratings, not written by hand for this occupation. That is why it is specific, and it is also why we say so.

The routes and free resources further up are today’s, not the release’s (last reviewed 2026-08-05). A route is an offer, not a historical fact, so it moves on its own clock.

How we score a jobDownload this releaseLook up another job

Using these figures?

Cite this

Everything on this site is published under CC BY 4.0. Quote it, chart it, sell something built on it. Just say where it came from, and cite the dated release rather than the site, so the figure you quote stays checkable.

Plain text

Collab365 (2026). Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1 (methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0). https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Built with O*NET data (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); ONS data (Open Government Licence v3.0); GAISI task framework (arXiv:2507.22748, MIT); BLS data (public domain).

BibTeX

@misc{collab365futureproof2026q41,
  title        = {Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1},
  author       = {{Collab365}},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1},
  note         = {Release 2026-q4.1, methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0, CC BY 4.0}
}

Permalink

https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1

Data as of release 2026-q4.1, published . Releases never change after publication; when the figures move, a new dated release is published beside this one and this one stays exactly where it is.