OSHA Issues Final Rule for Crane Operator Certification Requirements

OSHA

OSHA

Back in September, OSHA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would extend the deadline for crane operator certification requirements.  Although OSHA 1926.1427 has required crane operators to receive certain certifications to be able to operate the machines since 2010, actual enforcement of that rule has been delayed several times.

Effective November 9, 2017, OSHA has issued a final rule that will again delay the enforcement of the crane certification rule until November 10, 2018. If the rule is not delayed again, employers will be responsible for ensuring that their crane operators receive at least one of the following :

  • Certification by an independent testing organization accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization;
  • Qualification by an employer's independently audited program;
  • Qualification by the U.S. military; or
  • Compliance with qualifying State or local licensing requirements (mandatory when applicable).

In the final rule, OSHA explains their reasoning for the delay: “By delaying the deadline for employers to ensure that crane operators are certified until November 10, 2018, and by extending the employer duty to ensure that crane operators are competent until that same date, this rule will avoid disrupting the construction industry and allow OSHA time to complete a related crane standard rulemaking that will address these and other issues.

Final Rule: Cranes and Derricks in Construction: Operator Certification Extension | OSHA