From Ted Schwartz, Safety Manager, WWW.HRIDEAS.COM
OSHA recently published new crane rules to update industry work practices that will protect employees during the use of cranes and derricks in construction. The new rules go into effect November 8, 2010. The rules are designed to reduce the common causes of crane-related deaths and injuries such as struck by load, electrocution, crushing during assembly and disassembly, failure of boom, crane tip-over, struck by the cab or counterweight, and falls.
Major new provisions of the rules require training of all crane personnel, including crane operators, and create qualification requirements for riggers, signalers, and a new assembly and disassembly (A/D) Director. The rules also set several timetables, or phase-in periods, when crane and derrick operators must be certified to operate such equipment.
Crane Personnel Training Effective November 8, 2010
- Training required for all personnel involved in crane operations. As of November 8, 2010, all personnel involved in crane and derrick operations (including competent person, crew member, maintenance person, rigger, and signal person) must be either qualified or trained to perform their tasks.
- Crane operator training required in states without licensing laws. As of November 8, 2010, in the states that have not enacted their own crane operator licensing rules, crane and derrick operators must be trained to operate the equipment and must be evaluated to confirm that the operator understands the information provided in the training. The new rule specifies the type of operator training that must be provided.
Crane Operator Certification Phase-In Period
- Crane operator certification in states and municipalities with licensing laws. Crane and derrick operators in the 18 states and several municipalities that have to date enacted operator licensing laws to date must be licensed or certified to operate on the effective dates of those laws.
- By February 2011, states with OSHA-approved regulatory programs and crane operator licensing laws must ensure that their laws meet the minimum criteria of the OSHA rules for operator certification.
- By November 10, 2014, crane and derrick operators must be certified, qualified, or meet the criteria for operator-in-training before they are allowed to operate such equipment.
Crane Operator Certification and Training Costs
- Employer responsible for costs to certify and train crane operators. Employers must pay for the cost of operator certification and/or training for operators who they employ.
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Ted Schwartz, Safety Manager, WWW.HRIDEAS.COM can be reached at Main:925.556.4404. Fax to email: 925.359.1470