OSHA issued a final rule on September 26 extending the compliance deadline for employers to ensure that crane operators are certified by an OSHA-recognized accredited certification body. The deadline has been extended by three years to November 10, 2017. Under the  extension employers must continue to ensure crane operators are competent to operate a crane safely, as previously required.  

The extension comes in response to concerns on the qualification/certification requirements included in  the August 2010 cranes and derricks in construction final rule- specifically the requirements to certify operators by specific equipment type and capacity. ABC filed comments on the proposal expressing concern that the construction industry would be disrupted by a shortage of crane operators in the coming years without an extension of the compliance date.

During the three year extension OSHA will be considering what regulatory approach to take regarding operator qualification.