News

OSHA Extending Crane Operator Certification Compliance Date

OSHA announced it will propose to extend the compliance date of its crane operator certification requirement by three years, to Nov. 10, 2017. The proposal would extend to that same date the existing phase-in requirement that employers ensure their operators are qualified to operate the equipment.

These come from OSHA’s final standard on requirements for cranes and derricks in construction work, issued Aug. 9, 2010, which requires crane operators on construction sites to meet one of four qualification/certification options by Nov. 10, 2014. After OSHA issued the standard, some stakeholders raised concerns about the qualification/certification requirements that have caused OSHA to consider a later, separate rulemaking. The agency said it will propose to extend the compliance date so the requirements don’t take effect during the potential rulemaking or cause disruption in the construction industry.

OSHA held three stakeholder meetings on operator certification/qualification issues in April 2013 and posted detailed notes of the meetings at http://www.osha.gov/cranes-derricks/stakeholders.html. The agency plans to post a list of frequently asked questions on its Cranes and Derricks in Construction Web page to provide additional clarification and address comments and concerns raised by stakeholders.