General Requirements for Crane Operators

General Requirements

Summary

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B30 standards

Part 1926 – Safety and Health Regulations for Construction

1) Age: 18 (some states require age 21).

“No minor under eighteen (18) years of age shall be employed in occupations involving the operation of any power-driven hoisting apparatus or assisting in such operations by work such as hooking on, loading slings, rigging gear, etc.” – 1915.117(d)

2) Trained, Certified/licensed, evaluated (certification and licensing requirements vary by state – view state crane laws).

“The employer must ensure that each operator is trained, certified/licensed, and evaluated in accordance with this section before operating any equipment covered under subpart CC, except for the equipment listed in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.” – 1926.1427(a)

3) Pass written & practical exams.

“Certification by an accredited crane operator testing organization”. – 1926.1427(d)

“Be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency based on that agency’s determination that industry-recognized criteria for written testing materials, practical examinations, test administration, grading, facilities/equipment, and personnel have been met.” – 1926.1427(d)(1)(i)

NCCCO Substance Abuse Policy

a. It is the policy of the NCCCO Services LLC dba CCO Certification (CCO) that certified personnel shall not perform duties related to their certification while under the influence of any substance that impairs or may reasonably be expected to impair their ability to work safely in the workplace.

b. This includes alcohol, illegal drugs, look-alike drugs, designer drugs, controlled substances, or any other substance that impairs or may reasonably be expected to impair a certificant’s ability to work safely, including prescribed or over-the-counter substances.

c. CCO-certified personnel shall comply with all substance abuse provisions of applicable federal, state, and local regulations, as well as industry standards, including the substance abuse testing provisions of ASME B30.

d. For purposes of this policy, a refusal to submit to a required substance abuse test shall be treated in the same manner as a positive test.

e. It is a condition of certification that those certified, or who have applied to be certified, by CCO agree to comply with this Substance Abuse Policy.

f. Non-compliance with this policy may subject a certificant to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or revocation of their certification status.

(https://www.nccco.org/nccco/about-nccco/policies/substance-abuse-policy)

NCCCO Code of Ethics

CCO has adopted a Code of Ethics that exemplifies the professional conduct that is expected of CCO-certified personnel and candidates for certification.

CCO’s Code of Ethics is as follows:

In my occupation, I will conduct myself in a manner:

(i) So as to place the safety and welfare of others associated with my work above all other considerations,

(ii) So as to protect and preserve nearby general public property and the environment, and

(iii) So as to be free of bias with regard to religion, ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, and disability.

Furthermore, in connection with my work and in my dealings relating to CCO certification, I will:

(iv) Make management and appropriate personnel aware promptly if I have any safety concerns relating to the work that I am performing or with which I am involved;

(v) Not knowingly violate any safety-related regulations, warnings, or instructions set forth by OSHA, recognized safety standards, prevailing jurisdictions, or equipment manufacturers; and,

(vi) Not mislead, misrepresent or knowingly deceive others concerning my experience or the capabilities of myself or the equipment I am operating or with which I am working.

(vii) Not use my certification or evidence of certification in a misleading manner, or make claims regarding certification that go beyond the scope for which certification has been granted to me;

(viii) Not use my CCO certification in such a manner as to discredit CCO, and not make any statement regarding my certification which CCO considers misleading or unauthorized;

(ix) Discontinue the use of all claims to certification that contain any reference to CCO or CCO certification upon suspension or withdrawal of my certification, and I understand that I must return any cards or certificates issued by CCO immediately if required to do so; and,

(x) Not misrepresent or misuse any acronyms or logos, or any registered trademark or other intellectual property of CCO, including content subject to copyright or confidentiality.

In addition, in my dealings with CCO, I will:

(xi) Provide accurate and complete information and abide by CCO’s policies and procedures, including this Code of Ethics, as they may be updated from time to time;

(xii) Not act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage, or to provide another with an advantage, in connection with any dealings with CCO;

(xiii) Conduct my affairs with CCO, any Proctor or testing personnel, and other candidates, in a professional and respectful manner, according to accepted codes of business conduct; and,

(xiv) Cooperate fully and completely with any administrative inquiries or investigations by CCO.

CCO candidates and certificants who violate the Code of Ethics, whether in their capacity as a candidate, certificant, or credentialed testing personnel, will be subject to action by the Ethics and Discipline Committee, or a similar panel, which may result in suspension or revocation of certification or other appropriate sanctions.

(https://www.nccco.org/nccco/about-nccco/policies/code-of-ethics)

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