If your construction company employs crane operators, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has decided to give you a break. When they finalized their 2010 rule on Cranes and Derricks in Construction back in September, they extended the certification deadline for crane operators by three full years. Originally, OSHA intended to require crane operators to obtain certification by November 10, 2014. However, these construction workers now have until November 10, 2017 to meet the requirement.
This does not mean you don’t need to train your crane operators properly. OSHA has emphasized that even though they’ve delayed the certification requirement, employers must still provide their workers with training that includes everything covered in certification testing. Construction company managers can find direction to more information on these topics in the final rule. At minimum, according to OSHA standard 1926.1427, training should cover:
- The controls and operational/performance characteristics of the equipment the employee will be operating.
- How to use (and how to calculate) load/capacity data for various equipment configurations.
- How to prevent and respond to power line contact.
- Identifying and dealing with site hazards.
- Determining the suitability of the supporting ground and surface to handle expected loads.
- Locating relevant information in the equipment manual and other reference materials.
- Recognition of shift inspection items required by OSHA.
- Operational and maneuvering skills.
- How to apply load chart information.
- How to safely shut down and secure equipment.
- Determining whether boom hoist brakes need to be adjusted on friction equipment.
- Determining if boom repairs are necessary on equipment that doesn’t include a means of brake adjustment.
- How to halt unintended equipment movement according to the manufacturer’s emergency procedures.
When obtaining certification, your crane operators will take both written and practical tests on these subjects. They should not only be able to provide correct answers to certification questions but also demonstrate those skills in a real world environment.
Keep in mind, while OSHA has extended the federal certification requirement for crane operators, some states and cities have their own licensing requirements in place. In addition, the site safety requirements of some corporations include crane operator certification by an accredited organization. For many construction companies, it makes sense to proceed with operator certification now rather than wait until 2017. Organizations offering certification testing include the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, the Crane Institute Certification, the National Center for Construction Education and Research and Nationwide Crane Training.
Are you confused about OSHA’s crane operator training requirement s? Do you want to know more about getting your employees certified before the 2017 deadline? We can help. Give us a call today.