As of July 28, 2010 the Office of the Federal register has posted a special filing of the final rule for OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1926 – Subpart N – Cranes and Derricks in Construction.  The change in this rule came about due to the original rule (written in 1971) becoming more and more obsolete as new technologies have developed in the last 39 years.  For example, in 1971 hydraulic cranes were very rarely used in construction, whereas today they are considered the most prevalent form of lifting.  Additionally, with the recent crane accidents, injuries and deaths in the last several years, OSHA was pushed and responded by updating the regulation.

The rule becomes effective 90 days after August 9, 2010, the date the final rule will be published in the Federal Register. Certain provisions have delayed effective dates ranging from 1 to 4 years.

The final standard addresses additional advancements in design, related hazards and qualifications of employees which are needed to operate this type of machinery safely.  Also, the new standard will address the 4 main causes of worker deaths related to cranes and derricks: electrocution, crushed by parts of the equipment, struck by the equipment/load and falls.  Some highlights of the updated rule include:

• Employers must assess the ground conditions prior to performing a hoist.
• Employers must comply with local and state operator licensing requirements which meet the minimum criteria specified in § 1926.1427.
• Employers must pay for certification or qualification of their currently un-certified or unqualified operators.
• Written certification tests may be administered in any language understood by the operator candidate.
• When employers with employees qualified for power transmission and distribution are working in accordance with the power transmission and distribution standard (§ 1910.269), that employer will be considered in compliance with this final rule’s requirements for working around power lines.
• Employers must use a qualified rigger for rigging operations during assembly/disassembly.
• Employers must perform a pre-erection inspection of tower cranes.

Additional compliance assistance will be released by OSHA in August of 2010 to assist construction companies with the additional regulations being set for for cranes and derricks.  BP RiskTools policies, programs and guidance documents will be updated to reflect the new rule as it becomes law.  To learn more about how to obtain our Environmental Health & Safety/Business Process risk management tools and software solutions, please Contact Us.

To view a full copy of the regulatory text, Download the PDF.