April 2011 - In an effort to help employers, crane operators, signalpersons, riggers, inspectors, and maintenance personnel better understand their responsibilities, the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) has been proactively disseminating information concerning the new personnel qualification requirements under OSHA rule 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC, Cranes and Derricks in Construction.
In addition to continually updating the “Understanding the OSHA Rule and How It Affects You area of its website, NCCCO has also issued an revised edition of its NCCCO Guide to OSHA’s Personnel Certification and Qualification Requirements, available as a free download from the NCCCO website or for purchase as a spiral-bound book. In addition to the full text of the OSHA rule, the NCCCO Guide also contains unique analyses, references, and resources compiled by NCCCO.
NCCCO has also hosted numerous presentations, exhibits, and webinars on the subject. NCCCO Program Manager, Joel Oliva, has delivered several webinars—including one to members of the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA), and several to members of the International Sign Association (ISA)—and presented at the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors Conference. He’s also slated to speak at the Signs Expo to be held in Las Vegas at the end of April.
Similarly, NCCCO Manager Bob Hornauer gave a presentation clarifying the new crane rule at the National Construction Safety Executives, which represents the top safety official for each of 25 largest construction companies in the country. He also attended the Oregon Governor’s Occupational Safety & Health Conference on March 7-11, answering questions about the new rule. Although Oregon has elected to keep its existing training requirements until the federal crane operator certification requirements go into effect in 2014, much of the information NCCCO has compiled on federal OSHA’s rule also applies to Oregon’s new crane standard.
According to Tracey Cook, ISA’s director of education and training, "NCCCO-- as the authority in personnel qualification and certification requirements for the crane industry--is uniquely qualified to serve as an industry liaison and help interested stakeholders better understand the new rules." NCCCO representatives continue to liaise regularly with federal OSHA officials to seek clarification of the new rules, relay concerns from industry, and ensure that CCO examinations remain in compliance.