OSHA official: Crane operator qualifications rule will differ from draft

Fairfax, VA – OSHA’s forthcoming crane operator qualifications rule will be different from a draft previously issued, an agency official recently told stakeholders.

In October, the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators hosted its inaugural Industry Forum on Personnel Qualifications. Jim Maddux, director of OSHA’s Directorate of Construction, told attendees that OSHA is continuing its work on the crane operator qualifications issue, and a “positive resolution” could be expected in 2016, according to an NCCCO press release.

The issue stems from stakeholder concerns that crane operator certification requirements under the 2010 Cranes and Derricks in Construction final rule were insufficient to determine competency. In response, OSHA delayed that requirement until November 2017 and began pursuing a new rule to address the issue.

Earlier this year, OSHA presented a draft certification rule to the agency’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health. Taking into account feedback received during and after the committee meeting, the proposed rule will “without a doubt” be different from the draft, Maddux said.

A proposed rule on crane operator certifications is expected in March, according to the agency’s latest regulatory agenda.

The NCCCO forum featured several speakers and presentations on recent regulatory developments pertaining to personnel qualifications at the state, federal and international levels.