Dedicated Pile Driver Operators Certification Introduced

December 28, 2016 - The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) and the Pile Driving Contractors Association (PDCA) have jointly announced the introduction of a certification program for operators of dedicated pile driving equipment.

Dedicated pile drivers represent a growing type of equipment utilized in the construction industry and, up until now, no independent mechanism has existed for operators to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities required of these specialized pieces of equipment.

“While operators of mobile cranes equipped with pile driving attachments are already covered under the existing CCO lattice boom crawler crane certification, the new CCO Dedicated Pile Driver (DPD) Operator certification program addresses a need identified by the industry for an operator certification specifically designed for operators of these specialized machines,” said Joel Oliva, NCCCO's director of operations and program development. 

NCCCO developed the program in cooperation with the PDCA. A task force of subject matter experts representing operators, users, owners, manufacturers, trainers and other stakeholders developed the written and practical tests that individuals must pass to become certified according to sound psychometric principles. Task force members identified the knowledge areas and tasks necessary for safe dedicated pile driver operation and developed examinations that are fair, valid, reliable and legally defensible.

“PDCA has been delighted to work with NCCCO in the development of this program which will make a major contribution to ensuring pile driving equipment is operated in a safe and professional manner,” said PDCA Executive Director, Stevan Hall.  “By providing the industry with assessments that are specifically focused on the work that operators perform on a daily basis, we will ensure that operators are proficient and knowledgeable and thereby reduce risk and improve safety.”

When accredited, this new operator certification program will meet the operator certification/qualification requirements of OSHA 1926 Subpart CC set to go into effect November 10, 2017. Dedicated pile drivers are specifically identified by OSHA as one of the equipment types within the scope of the Cranes and Derricks in Construction rule.

The written exam covers a wide variety of knowledge areas critical to dedicated pile driver work, including setup, inspection, operation, maintenance, and the ability to utilize load charts. The practical exam requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to operate the equipment and perform common activities, such as the lifting, securing and lowering of a pile.