OSHA Asked to Determine Financial Effect of Crane Certification

According to the November 10 issue of the SC&RA Newsletter, a panel convened under the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) issued a report requesting OSHA to clarify the economic impact of certification and training requirements for crane operators in the agency's proposed draft standard on cranes and derricks in construction.

The SBREFA panel stated that many small businesses felt OSHA underestimated the costs of compliance • particularly those associated with obtaining crane operator certification • while other small businesses said the requirements addressed a long-neglected problem requiring operator certification through a third-party organization.

The panel recommended that OSHA consider the potential advantages and solicit public opinion on allowing an operator to be certified on a particular model of crane; allowing tests to be administered by an accredited educational institution; and allowing employers to use manuals that have been rewritten to accommodate the literacy level and English proficiency of operators.