Crane operator certification: what now?

In November OSHA confirmed a postponement of its crane operator certification requirements (due to have taken effect in November) until 2017. Over the next three years, the agency says, it will work to resolve the issues that industry has complained will create unnecessary burdens on employers for no additional safety benefit. What does that mean for employers during this time? What are the responsibilities for qualifying employees who work with and around cranes? And what is OSHA likely to propose to replace the provisions that have provoked such an outcry from industry leaders?

In an upcoming webinar, organised by the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SC&RA), presenters Graham Brent and Joel Oliva of the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) will provide a comprehensive review of employer responsibilities from both a federal and state perspective.

In addition, they will address the two central issues - certifying by crane capacity and whether certification is equivalent to qualification - that lie at the centre of OSHA’s delay. The role of the newly formed Coalition for Crane Operator Safety (CCOS) in accelerating the rulemaking process will also be discussed.

The webinar will be held on Wednesday 17 December 2014 at noon Eastern USA Standard Time. For more information contact Jillian Williams, jwilliams@scranet.org or call +1 (703) 698-0291.