OSHA Asks 151 VPP Partners to 'Stand Down for Crane Safety'

October 17, 2008 • OSHA's New York regional office is asking the 151 worksites in its jurisdiction participating in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) to conduct voluntary inspections of any crane activity occurring at their worksites this week. VPP is an elite, voluntary, merit-based program that recognizes worksites committed to effective employee protection beyond the requirements of OSHA standards.

During this "Stand Down for Crane Safety," VPP worksites in New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico will have an opportunity to reinforce best practices in crane safety by stopping crane work and demonstrating their proactive commitment to safety and health for both their own and contractors' employees.

 

"We're asking all companies to examine any crane operations at their worksites to ensure all applicable OSHA requirements are met and to promptly correct any deficiencies should they be found," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York. "Worksites earn entry into the VPP by showing that their safety and health management systems go well beyond OSHA standards and are effective in reducing injuries and illnesses."

 

Though many of these worksites may not use cranes as part of their everyday operations, cranes operated by contractors may be present on a temporary basis, such as for a construction project. In those instances, OSHA is asking the VPP companies to take a look at their contractors' crane activity.

While this initiative is focused on VPP companies, OSHA asks all construction companies to conduct a crane stand-down in an effort to protect the safety and health of their employees.

 

Information on crane inspections and crane safety is available at OSHA's website. Among the resources are OSHA's mobile crane inspection guidelines and a Crane, Derrick, and Hoist Safety website.