OSHA Announces Construction Crane Rule Changes

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced several new changes to the safety rule governing the use of cranes in the construction industry. More specifically, the proposed regulations focus on three elements, all of which are designed to improve the safety of cranes in the construction industry.

Crane operators face many risks, some of which include struck-by, falls from elevated surface, electrocution, heat exhaustion and more. Each year, tens of thousands of workers sustain serious injury while on the job. OSHA is hoping to reduce these numbers for crane operators by revising the safety rule. See below for a list of the three major changes proposed to the construction crane safety rule.

The first major change is new requirements for certification by crane operators. This shouldn't come as news to construction employers and professionals, as OSHA first agreed to consider these new requirements back in 2013. Just a few year prior, a construction representative said the existing 2010 certification requirements were lacking; thus, placing operators and other workers at greater risk for injury. OSHA has since agreed to revise the certification requirements for crane operators, using a third-party evaluator for the process.

In addition to the new crane operator certification requirements, OSHA is also planning to revise the definition of "hoisting" in regards to this construction practice. When speaking to the press, OSHA's Office of Construction Standards and Guidance Ashley Briefel said the agency plans to redefine "hoisting" so it covers lifting and stabilizing loads with at least one end touching the ground or connected to a fixed structure.

The third major change coming to the crane safety rule involves the use of equipment to maintain railroad tracks. In 2010, the Association of American Railroads questioned OSHA's existing rule, saying it wasn't clear enough when defining the safety standards governing the use of equipment to maintain railroads. Four year later, OSHA and the Association of American Railroads signed an agreement stating that such equipment from exempt. The upcoming safety rule for construction cranes will reflect this change.

So, when can you expect to see these changes go into effect? While there's no official work yet for implementation, most sources say it will likely occur sometime next year. In the meantime, you can check back with our blog here at SafetyCompany for all of the latest news on workplace safety and worker wellness.