OSHA Proposes Rule to Ensure Safe Operation of Cranes

OSHA has announced a proposed rule to increase safety at construction sites by ensuring that those who operate cranes are qualified to do so safely.
In addition to providing long-term clarity regarding crane operator certification requirements, the proposal reinstates the employer duty to ensure that a crane operator is qualified to safely operate equipment.
Under the proposed rule, a change to the categories of certifications for crane operators would ensure more operators are able to meet the requirement.
The proposal discontinues a 2010 requirement, which never went into effect, that crane operator certification must include the crane lifting capacity for which the operator is certified.
The proposal would expand the type of certification programs for crane operators.
Comments on the proposed rule may be submitted electronically or by fax or mail. See the Federal Register notice for submission details. The comment period, originally scheduled to end June 20, 2018, has been extended to July 5.
OSHA recently published a final rule extending the operator certification compliance date until Nov. 10, 2018, to provide the agency with additional time to complete this rulemaking to address stakeholder concerns related to the Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard.