Sources: National Precast Concrete Association, Carmel, Ind.; Occupational Safety & Health Administration
OSHA has issued a one-year extension, to November 18, 2018, for precast concrete or construction fleets bound by Standard 1926.1427 Operator Qualification and Certification. It requires operators of 2,000-lb. or higher capacity cranes to be 1) Qualified, where they are observed working safety and knowledgably, and have documentation on file; and, 2) Certified by passing written and practical exams administered through Crane Institute Certification, National Center for Construction Education & Research, National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators or other accredited body.
“When OSHA initially published the rule several years ago, we were very concerned that testing requirements did not match up with the types of cranes typically used in precast,” NPCA President Ty Gable told members in a dispatch following the agency’s certification deadline extension. “Once the appropriate test was in place, there was not enough time to get all the operators certified before the November 2017 deadline.”
NPCA’s continued collaboration with OSHA, he adds, has afforded precast producers time to complete Standard 1926.1427 training and testing. The association provides crane operator certification resources here.