Final rule delays compliance date for crane operator certification

Washington – OSHA is delaying by three years its certification requirements for crane operators, the agency announced in a final rule published Sept. 25.

Under the Cranes and Derricks in Construction final rule published four years ago, construction site crane operators were required to meet one of four qualification or certification options – and employers were required to ensure competent crane operation – by Nov. 10, 2014.

However, some stakeholders raised concerns that certification was insufficient to determine competency, prompting OSHA to extend the compliance date for both operators and employers to Nov. 10, 2017.

During the next three years, OSHA intends to address operator qualification requirements. Additionally, development of a standard to ensure crane operator qualifications is underway, the agency said in a press release.