OSHA’s recent decision to extend its crane certification requirement until 2017 reflects an ongoing effort to clarify the standards that will affect the construction industry for years to come.
Better information and the need to streamline current standards were driving forces for the extension. According to OSHA, “Final economic analysis shows that extending the date for operator certification and employers’ assessment of crane operators, rather than following the current rule, will result in a net cost savings for the affected industries.”
The current OSHA rule eliminates the separate standard previously used for underground and demolition work and addresses advances in the designs of cranes and derricks. Under this rule, employers are obligated to determine whether the ground is sufficient to support the anticipated weight of hoisting equipment and associated loads. The employer is also required to assess hazards that would affect the safe operation of hoisting equipment, such as power lines, that would be within the work zone or swing radius of the hoisting equipment. Finally, the employer is required to ensure that the equipment is in safe operating condition and that employees are trained to recognize hazards associated with the use of the equipment.
Crane Hazards
The Bureau of Labor Statistics and OSHA have identified an average of 71 crane and derrick-related fatalities per year since the 1980s. OSHA’s analysis also identified the major causes of crane accidents to include:
- boom or crane contact with energized power lines (nearly 45% of the cases),
- under the hook lifting device
- overturned cranes
- dropped loads
- boom collapse
- crushing by the counter weight
- outrigger use, falls, and rigging failures
Specifically, OSHA cites lack of adequate guidance to employers, poor maintenance and poor worker training for accidents and fatalities. In many of these cases, cranes were not maintained properly nor inspected regularly to ensure safe operation.
Certification Extension
While certification has been shown to reduce accidents and fatalities, it is not yet a federal requirement. According the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, (NCCCO), there are currently 12 states and 6 cities that require crane operators to be licensed, “In general, certification is a voluntary process initiated by a nongovernmental agency through which people are recognized for their knowledge and skill. Licensing is more restrictive and usually refers to mandatory governmental requirements based on a combination of examination, testing, and demonstration of the appropriate skills, knowledge, and experience.” [NCCCO]
Significantly, most participants in OSHA’s rulemaking process believe the operator’s employer should retain the responsibility to ensure that the operator was qualified for the particular crane work assigned.
OSHA has an extensive checklist for Crane and Derrick safety that includes:
- Determine the adequacy of ground conditions beneath the equipment set-up area such as the support/foundation, matting, cribbing, blocking, etc.
- Check for visible indications of repairs of the equipment.
- When overhead power lines are on the construction site, ask if the utility owner/operator was contacted and if the lines are energized. Obtain the voltage of the power lines (if known). Verify whether a work zone around the crane was demarcated and what encroachment prevention steps are being used.
- When a signal person is used on the worksite, verify the individual’s qualifications/documentation. Acceptable documents include both physical and electronic records.
- Verify that the communication system being used by the crane operator and the signal person is the one specified on the signal person’s qualification documentation.
For more information, contact OSHA’s crane and derrick information page.
