OSHA Delays Overhead Crane Training Rule—What Employers Must Know

Confused by the chaos of OSHA’s crane regulations? You’re not alone.

OSHA has moved the date for these regulations twice now, along with other changes. It’s a confusing time for employers left wondering what’s required of them.

We’ve put together this brief digest so you’ll know everything you need to know about OSHA’s overhead crane training requirements.

What Happened?

OSHA devised certification requirements for crane operators in 2010, as part of their Cranes and Derricks in Construction Standard. These requirements were aimed at ensuring crane operators were properly qualified to handle lifting equipment.

Originally, these requirements were set to go into effect in 2014. But there were a few kinks to work out, and OSHA moved the date to November 2017 instead.

Now OSHA has moved the date again, a day before the revised deadline. As of Nov 9, 2017, a final rule moved the date to Nov 10, 2018.

This new delay gives OSHA more time to revise the rules of the regulation. OSHA has also identified that a large number of employers still don’t meet requirements yet, so this gives them more to seek accreditation for their staff.

The move has attracted some criticism, particularly from employers who have already invested in staff accreditation. Critics note the health and safety implications of delaying the standards by another year.

What Does it Mean for Me?

For employers, it means some confusion.

OSHA’s requirements mean employers have to provide overhead crane training to any operators under their employ – or ensure they’re otherwise qualified, such as through military training.

Nov 10, 2017, was the original deadline for employers to meet these requirements. Plenty of employers have already taken steps to meet the standards. If you’re one of these, you won’t need to worry.

If you’re not, you can breathe easy knowing you have another year to meet them. And that’s if OSHA doesn’t delay the regulations further.

What’s Next?

Now it’s a waiting game. OSHA could announce another delay anytime before Nov 10, 2018. Or they could go ahead with the revised standards. There’s no real way to tell at present.

Either way, employers should take steps to meet the standards. Employers have a few main routes to employee certification, as follows:

• Training through an accredited third party
• An internal audited program
• Government-issued license meeting OSHA standards, such as a military qualification

OSHA will issue further updates as any changes to the deadline become apparent. In the meantime, you can read the exact text of the final note here.

Stay Current on Overhead Crane Training

The best move for businesses right now is to stay up-to-date on overhead crane training news. Keep an eye on the headlines for an idea of what you’ll need to do, and when. In the meantime, consider taking steps to meet the requirements in advance, so you’re not caught out when the regulations finally come into force.

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