OSHA-inspector.99125913_std Screenshot_3_29_13_11_46_PM The Crane Safety Initiative builds on several steps taken by OSHA earlier this year to raise awareness on crane safety and increase enforcement of the current standards, including launching local emphasis programs in a number of regions to inspect high-rise construction, stakeholder outreach and additional training on crane safety.

Through its agency partners in the construction industry, OSHA will increase awareness of and provide information on how to avoid crane hazards. The agency’s compliance safety and health officers will receive enhanced resources on crane safety. Additionally, the National Emphasis Program will incorporate increased targeted inspections of construction worksites to identify crane hazards and promote compliance with workplace crane safety requirements.

OSHA’s proposed rule on cranes and derricks addresses the key hazards associated with construction cranes and derricks.

OSHA HAS SCHEDULED A CRANE OPERATOR CERTIFICATION MEETINGS

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) scheduled two informal stakeholder meetings to invite comments on the crane operator certification requirements in the Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard.

The meetings will focus on the effectiveness of crane operator certification to ensure crane operators can safely operate equipment. OSHA seeks information from the public on the usefulness of certifying operators for different capacities of cranes, and the risks of allowing an operator to operate all capacities of cranes within a specific type.

The standard requires operators to be certified by November 2014 and that certifications issued by an accredited organization specify the capacity and type of cranes the operator is certified to operate.

The original separate meetings are being held from 9 a.m. to noon on April 2 and 3, 2013 at the U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3437 A, B, and C, at 200 Constitution Ave., N.W. in Washington, D.C.

The previous two meetings currently scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon on April 2 and 3 are full.

The additional meeting will be held from April 3 from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, D.C.

The three meetings will focus on the effectiveness of crane operator certification to ensure that crane operators can safely operate equipment, and the level of competence and safe operation that certification ensures. The agency seeks information from the public on 1) the usefulness of certifying operators for different capacities of cranes, and 2) the risks of allowing an operator to operate all capacities of cranes within a specific type.

Individuals interested in participating in, or observing, a meeting must pre-register by calling OSHA’s Directorate of Construction at 202.693.2020.