Cranes Today reported in late 2012 how the US crane industry had widely condemned OSHA’s plans for crane operator certification, with some suggesting that the measures could add $1bn in extra testing and training costs.
OSHA said that the meetings will concentrate on the effectiveness of crane operator certification with the aim of ensuring that crane operators can safely operate equipment, as well as the level of competence and safe operation that certification ensures.
The agency wanted to consult the public on the usefulness of certifying operators for different capacities of cranes, and the risks of allowing an operator to operate all capacities of cranes within a specific type.
The operator qualification requirements are part of the Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard that regulate US crane safety. The standard is the product of a negotiated rulemaking process that began in the summer of 2003 and culminated in the publication of the final rule on Aug. 9, 2010.
The standard requires operators to be certified by November, 2014. Secondly, the standard requires that certifications issued by an accredited testing organisation specify the "capacity and type" of cranes the operator is certified to operate.
OSHA will hold separate meetings from 9am to noon on April 2nd and 3rd, 2013, at the U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3437 A, B, and C. The Department of Labor is located at 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. Anyone interested in taking part can find further details here.
