Nearly 10,000 crane operators in the USA are now certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (CCO).
And the number of crane operators tested through the CCO programme has passed the 14,000 mark, with about 25% of those sitting the exam being re-tests. The actual number of CCO certified crane operators is 9,600 as of 31 March 2001.
Since written exam testing began in April 1996, more than 600 separate CCO test administrations had been conducted in 46 states.
In January 2000 a practical exam became a requirement of CCO certification. Since then, more than 1,200 candidates have sought to qualify on the CCO practical exam.
“This volume of testing is a clear indication of the growing adoption of the CCO certification programme by contractors, owners, and other employers,” said CCO president Davis Lauve. “Increasingly, CCO certification is being required as a condition of hire on jobsites around the country.” Other contributory factors in the programme’s growth included the official recognition of the programme by federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration, and endorsements by Associated General Contractors of America (California), the Houston Business Roundtable, and other employer associations, Lauve added.
“With the changes made last year to the application process, it’s now easier than ever for employers to schedule both written and practical examinations at a time and location that is convenient to them and their operators,” Lauve added.
The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (CCO) was formed in January 1995 to develop effective performance standards for safe crane operation to assist all segments of general industry and construction.
