OSHA Includes Crane Rule in Updated Regulatory Agenda

June 22, 2015 - In the U.S. Department of Labor's Spring 2015 publication, OSHA has included the Crane Operator Qualification in Construction in its updated regulatory agenda. The rulemaking will identify criteria for employers to follow to ensure their crane operators are completely qualified to operate cranes safely on construction work sites. Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is scheduled for December 2015.

In the 2010 final cranes standard, the OSHA established crane operator certifications as the sole criterion for operator safety. Certification is virtually always provided by third-party testing entities.

Following publication of the final crane standard, stakeholders informed the agency that certification did not by itself establish a safe enough level of experience and competence; employers must be responsible to ensure that crane operators are qualified. OSHA responded by publishing a final rule postponing the deadline for operator certification and extending the employer duty to permit the agency to conduct rulemaking, if necessary, on operatory qualification.

This rulemaking will also clarify issues surrounding operatory certification, including the "type and capacity" requirement from the 2010 final construction cranes standard.