Crane Institute Certification to Release Tip Sheet for Hiring Certified Workers
February 4, 2014 - Crane Institute Certification (CIC), Villa Rica, Ga., announces it has produced “Five Reasons for Hiring Certified Workers” to assist health, safety, and risk managers with one important aspect of their job—worker qualification. The full paper will be released at ConExpo-Con/Agg in Las Vegas, which is taking place March 4-8. CIC is exhibiting at G-2975, where it will announce a new certification for Lift Directors.
Multiple studies show that construction projects using qualified personnel are more often completed on time, on budget, and with fewer accidents than projects where under-trained employees are working. In addition, according to a 2012 McGraw-Hill Construction SmartMarket Report called “Construction Industry Workforce Shortages: Role of Certification, Training and Green Jobs in Filling the Gaps,” 71% of construction professionals that were surveyed found that having certified employees increases the competitiveness of their firm and its ability to win contracts.
The overall deficit among skilled labor and historic lows among unionized labor in the private sector, which has traditionally promoted training and qualification, only serves to put an even greater importance on certification of craft workers. Likewise, “Proactive EHS managers must use every tool at their disposal to protect life, property, the public, and the environment,” said Larry Curtis, Executive Director of Institute for Safety and Health Management (ISHM), Yuma, Ariz.
Any accredited, third-party certifier of workers, regardless of affiliation, offers employers with verifiable credentials attesting to a worker’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. It’s difficult for an individual to obtain accredited certification without first having been properly trained. Experience also contributes to successful achievement of certification, but is not by itself an indicator of knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Apply knowledge, skill and ability to their work;
- Plan to complete work on time; on budget; and safely;
- Refuse to cheat or skimp on safety;
- Value safety of self, others, equipment, and job site.; and
- Ensure work and safety objectives are met, consistently.
CIC and ISHM recently announced that the organizations have entered into a joint marketing agreement. Both organizations share a common goal of improving the safety and health of workers, and thereby reducing accidents.
Certifications from both organizations are designed to recognize the knowledge, skills and abilities of the professionals for which their respective certifications are provided. While CIC’s certifications are designed for in-the-field workers, management buy-in is crucial to the overall adoption of certification. ISHM’s certifications target safety managers who have a broad range of duties. CIC and ISHM’s certifications complement each other.
