SC&RA Seeks Answers from OSHA, Awards Scholarships

The Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) reported at its annual conference held last week in Austin, Texas, that it continues to seek clarification from OSHA on several items included in the CFR 29 Part 1926 Cranes & Derricks in Construction regulation, issued in 2010.

Beth O’Quinn, vice president, said that the association recently met with OSHA, and the SC&RA will be submitting requests for letters of interpretation on requirements for:

• Certification testing to cover both crane type and capacity;
• Use of non-conductive tag lines as it relates to such products not being readily available in the market;
• Definition of the power line work zone as it relates to cranes with telescopic booms; and
• Responsibilities of A/D directors as it relates to foundation preparation for tower cranes.

O’Quinn’s assessment is that OSHA is trying to issue letters of interpretation on the questions it has received before issuing a compliance directive. “This is a way of taking the industry’s concerns into consideration,” she said.

Graham Brent, executive director of the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, came away with a similar impression following a separate meeting NCCCO had with OSHA. “Answering letters of interpretation is a way [for the agency] to neutralize these issues. We came away encouraged,” he said.

Several projects that the association has had in the works are nearing completion but await finalization depending on the answers presented in several of the letters of interpretation requests sent to OSHA.

The first is a power line safety video, completion of which awaits answers regarding non-conductive tag lines and the definition of the work zone. The second project is assembly/disassembly guidelines for both mobile cranes and tower cranes. Jeff Hammons, task force chairman for the mobile crane portion of the project, reported that the materials will include a work book on site preparation, crane assembly, post assembly inspections, and disassembly. The tower crane document will be presented in a similar format. Its completion depends on OSHA’s interpretation of the role of the A/D director’s responsibilities when erecting a tower crane.

In other news, the SC&R Foundation awarded $3,000 in scholarships to seven students studying for careers in transportation or construction management. The scholarship recipients for 2012-2013 are Jobie Debrick, Steven McLean, Callie Meek, Samson Meyer, Mitchell Nettinga, Lee Rucker, and Taylor Shepley. Since 1986, the foundation has given more than $300,000 in scholarships.

Debrick attends Fort Scott Community College in Paola, Kan. He plans to continue his education, simultaneously pursuing a ministry degree at Manhattan Christian College and a business administration degree at Kansas State University. Both institutions are in Manhattan, Kan.

McLean plans to attend the University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla. as a mechanical engineering major.

Meek is a business administration major at Southeast Missouri State University, who plans to receive a bachelor’s degree in 2013 and will attend an additional year to become a certified public accountant. She is the recipient of the George M. Bragg Memorial Scholarship.

Meyer plans to pursue a degree in either business administration or economics. At the time of his selection for the scholarship, he had not yet decided among several universities that had accepted him. He is the recipient of the Bennett International Continuing Education Scholarship.

Nettinga, a three-time winner, attends Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa, where he majors in business administration with an emphasis in finance. He plans to graduate in May 2014. He is the recipient of the Christopher A. Lorenz Memorial Scholarship.

Rucker plans to attend Lindenwood University, Saint Charles, Mo., as an Electrical Engineering major. He is the recipient of the Terex Continuing Education Scholarship.

Shepley plans to attend Pennsylvania State University, Wilkes Barre, Pa,. as a surveying engineering major. He is the recipient of the Mammoet USA Continuing Education Scholarship.

Additionally, the Foundation awarded a $1,500 grant to Donald Newman, a yardman/welder/tillerman at McTyre Trucking, Orlando, Fla. He plans to use the grant to pursue a welding certificate at Mid-Florida Tech in Orlando. He is the recipient of the Eugene R. DuBay Memorial Grant.