At Western Precast, safety and skill go hand in hand — especially when it comes to operating heavy machinery. That’s why Chris, head of shipping, spearheaded a new in-house crane certification program designed to give operators a deeper, more customized level of training that goes beyond national requirements.

Why In-House?

The initiative began as a way to help seasoned operators prepare for their national recertification exams, which are required every five years by OSHA.

“We’ve got guys who’ve been running cranes for 20 years,” Chris says. “They know the technical side like the back of their hand. But the national test includes a lot of detailed book knowledge — stuff that’s easy to forget if you’re not looking at it every day.”

That realization led to the development of WPC’s own prep course — part study guide, part real-world refresher, and 100% designed with safety and excellence in mind.

The Team’s Response

Despite some initial grumbles about reading the 90-page handbook, the response from operators has been overwhelmingly positive.

“They joke that it’s too hard,” Chris laughs, “but they get through it fast. They like having something in their pocket to show if anyone asks about their certification.”

Each certified operator receives a WPC wallet card, giving them tangible proof of their training — and pride in their achievement.

Raising the Bar

Transitioning to in-house certification wasn’t without its challenges. Chris spent weeks compiling material from multiple sources, trimming unnecessary content, building the exam, and writing the answer key from scratch.

But the result has been worth the effort.
“It’s more work upfront,” he says, “but it makes us stronger long-term. Our guys are better prepared, safer, and more confident when they’re out on a site.”

And that’s the ultimate goal — lifting not just heavy loads, but company-wide standards.

“At WPC, it’s not just about doing the job — it’s about doing it right.”