OSHA-inspector.99125913_std Comments were made at a meeting between crane industry representatives and Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials regarding a need for change to the crane operator testing and certification requirements. The suggestions were brought out during one of the OSHA stakeholder meetings with the companies as well as the organizations which are influenced by the testing requirements. These discussions were brought on by industry complaints and will affect testing and certification.

Head of OSHA’s Construction Directorate, Jim Maddux, announced that OSHA’s options include changing the rule, leaving it how it is, or creating an alternative plan that addresses industry concerns. Maddux did not indicate that any hasty decisions would be made anytime soon. In 2010 the crane rule was approved and set in motion, however, industry members are concerned with the qualification as well as the certification standards for crane operators but even members at the meeting had split views on who should make the final decision on who is qualified or not.

Another debate that was raised at the meeting was about how OSHA should be able to define a crane’s capacity. Currently, the capacity is based upon the weight it is designed to lift, however some individuals brought up other defining elements such as the length of a crane’s boom as well as the actual weight of the load. Maddux, however, did not release a timeline for when the agency will respond or make decisions based on the suggestions and debates from the meeting.

For the full article visit http://www.bna.com/crane-industry-officials-n17179873168/

OSHA’s information page for the cranes and derricks standard is http://www.osha.gov/cranes-derricks/.