Redefining What Belongs in a Crane Cab: Katie Kelleher on Visibility, Safety, and Changing the Culture of Lifting

30 Second Takeaway

Katie Kelleher never set out to work with cranes in fact, no one ever told her it was an option. After years in sales and a growing sense of being boxed in, she took a chance on an industry she knew nothing about and became the first woman to complete a Lifting Technician apprenticeship with Select. From operating cranes on some of London’s most complex infrastructure projects to becoming a leading advocate for safety, mental health, and inclusion, Katie’s journey is reshaping what the crane and lifting industry can look like — and who belongs in it.

Finding an Industry That Was Never Offered

For Katie Kelleher, a career in cranes wasn’t a childhood dream it was a discovery made later in life.

“People often assume I spent years looking up at cranes thinking, ‘That’s what I want to do,’ but honestly, it never crossed my mind.”

Not because of a lack of ambition, she explains, but because construction was never presented as an option especially not to girls at school. After studying English Literature, Katie spent over a decade in sales across multiple industries. While she was successful on paper, she felt increasingly disconnected from her work.

“I was quietly miserable. Every time I tried to change direction, I felt boxed in by my own CV.”

Everything changed when she sent her CV to construction companies on a whim and received a phone call asking if she’d consider becoming a crane operator.

“I didn’t even believe women operated cranes. But I decided to give it a go. If I didn’t try, I’d never know.”

That decision led her to the Lifting Technician apprenticeship with Select, where she became the first woman to complete the program training across tower, mobile, crawler, pedestrian-operated cranes, MEWPs, slinging, and signalling.

“That apprenticeship didn’t just teach me how to operate cranes. It gave me purpose, confidence, more money, and a completely new life.”

Visibility as a Catalyst for Change

When Katie entered the industry, one thing stood out immediately: the lack of visible role models.

“I couldn’t find anyone who looked like me or came from a similar background showing what they actually did in the industry.”

What began as casually sharing her journey online quickly became something bigger. Without intending to build a brand, Katie started documenting real site work, apprenticeships, and the realities of lifting speaking in a way that felt honest and relatable.

“I was in that phase of ‘everyone should do this’ because it genuinely changed my life.”

As her platform grew, so did its impact. Even after stepping away from crane operation, Katie continues to use her voice to advocate for apprenticeships, workforce inclusion, and cultural change across construction and lifting.

Breaking the Myths Around Cranes and Capability

One of the biggest misconceptions Katie encounters is the idea that crane operation is easy.

“People think you just sit in a cab, pull a few levers, and that’s it. They massively underestimate the skill, precision, and awareness it takes.”

Operating cranes, she explains, means constantly reading conditions weather, ground stability, team dynamics with lives depending on every decision.

Another persistent myth?

“That it’s a man’s game.”

Katie recalls delivery drivers asking slingers if she was “any good” a question rarely asked of male operators. Yet she’s quick to highlight the growing number of exceptional female operators across the UK and globally.

“You don’t have to look or act a certain way to be taken seriously.”

Whether it was pink hair, long nails, or makeup, Katie proved that professionalism and performance aren’t defined by appearance.

“In my whole life, operating cranes was honestly the one thing I was really good at. I took huge pride in performing good lifts.”

Working at the Heart of Major Infrastructure

Katie’s career placed her on some of the UK’s most ambitious projects, including Crossrail (now the Elizabeth Line) and Tideway London’s new “super sewer” built beneath the River Thames.

“These jobs challenged me in new ways and gave me a huge appreciation for the scale and complexity of what our industry delivers every day.”

Those experiences cemented her respect for the responsibility carried by lifting professionals and the importance of getting safety right.

Safety Beyond the Tick Box

For Katie, safety isn’t about paperwork it’s about people.

“Too often, safety gets reduced to forms and toolbox talks that don’t actually make people feel safer.”

Drawing on her experience as both a crane operator and an appointed person, she speaks candidly about pressure, near misses, and real-world decision-making. Beyond awareness, Katie has played an active role in shaping industry guidance through her work with the Construction Plant-hire Association, Tower Crane and Crane Interest Groups, and the Industry Lifting Lead AP Group.

One of the most significant recent initiatives is HOSASS Hands Off, Step Away, Safe Space  a campaign born from tragedy that challenges long-standing behaviours in lift planning and execution.

Mental health is equally central to her advocacy.

“If over 7,000 construction workers have died by suicide in the last decade enough to build a city why aren’t we doing more to stop it?”

Through supporting Construction Sport and speaking out via campaigns like The Lost City, Katie continues to push for a safer, more human industry culture.

Facing Pushback and Keeping Going

Visibility, Katie acknowledges, comes at a cost.

“I’ve dealt with judgement, hostility, and straight-up hate from memes to pages created just to tear me down.”

Each step forward seemed to bring new criticism: being a woman in an apprenticeship, holding a red card, speaking publicly, advocating for change.

“It hurts. Every nasty comment chips away at you.”

What keeps her going are the allies colleagues who backed her on site, recognised her work, and reminded her why she started.

“I don’t just want to be a voice for women. I want to be a voice for change for everyone.”

Retention, she believes, is as important as recruitment.

“We talk a lot about attracting people into the industry but not enough about keeping them.”

Encouraging the Next Generation to Belong

Katie’s advice to young people — especially women — is clear:

“Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do.”

Through the Katie_Cranes platform and her “Girls Can’t What?” initiative, she works directly with schools to challenge outdated beliefs and show girls what’s possible.

“It’s not about fitting in. It’s about knowing you belong — exactly as you are.”

Looking Ahead: Innovation with Purpose

Katie is excited by innovation that improves safety, wellbeing, and inclusion not change for its own sake. From future fuels and remote monitoring to the Skyline Cockpit, which allows crane operation without climbing or prolonged cab work, she sees technology opening doors for a broader workforce.

“It makes crane operation more accessible for people with disabilities, older operators, or those recovering from injury.”

For Katie, the future of lifting lies in combining human expertise with better tools building an industry that is safer, smarter, and open to all.