Crane operator for CMH project ‘on top of the world’
Dave Aikens knows exactly how many steps it takes to get to work every day -- 160 rungs straight up a ladder requiring one rest stop along the way.
But once he is in his chair, Dave is on top of the world for the day enjoying his job as the crane operator for the Cariboo Memorial Hospital (CMH) redevelopment project.
Dave admits he was awe-struck the first time he watched a construction crane work. For residents in Williams Lake and CMH staff, the crane has been an exciting addition to the skyline; towering over the city as a signal of the construction that began in 2023. Last winter, the crane was even decorated with festive Christmas lights.
Dave says he has enjoyed the sights from his perch during his 17 years as a crane operator. In addition to the views in Williams Lake, Dave has experienced beautiful scenes from across the country.
“Nothing beats a sunrise or a sunset in the crane, or seeing a wicked storm roll though the river valley and telling the crew they are going to get wet in T-minus five minutes.”
Nothing beats a morning sunrise over the city like the view from Dave Aikens’ chair in the crane at CMH.
Dave is originally from Edmonton and started his construction career as a laborer there in his twenties.
“My first project, I was just awe-stuck with the crane. I had to work with it and be a part of it and with a lot of hard work and drive the opportunity came. As an operator I've had the pleasure to work from Winnipeg to Vancouver and many places in between. And that brings me to Williams Lake where my company Pagnotta Industries and Graham Construction amongst others are working on your expansion at the hospital.”
The crane at CMH is a Terex Peiner SK 315 with a lifting capacity of 10,140 pounds at its tip (196 feet), 13,800 pounds total lift in a two-part line and 27,500 in a four-part line. Operating a crane in various weather conditions, especially wind, is challenging but there are policies and procedures in place to guide them.
Winston Baskerville is working on the project with Dave as an apprentice crane operator. Winston works as a rigger, but also gains experience in the crane with Dave conducting maintenance, safety checks and inspections with some operating time on slower days.

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