NEW YORK CITY-In the wake of several construction fatalities at development sites on the Far West Side and Manhattanville, city officials are now requiring new tests and requirements to up the safety standards for crane operators citywide. According to new administrative rules from the New York City Department of Buildings, new applicants must now obtain certification from either the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, a non-profit that develops performance assessments for crane operations nationwide, an organization accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies or the American National Standards Institute, beginning in May.
Developed by experts nationwide, exams offered by these certification organizations are updated more frequently than those currently used by the city to reflect updates in technology and require applicants to be tested on a variety of cranes rather than a single piece of equipment, the DOB says. By 2014, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration will require all crane operators to pass the exams offered by a nationally accredited organization as well as undergo re-testing every five years.
Steven Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board of New York, an industry group that lobbies on behalf of the commercial real estate industry, applauded the action, saying that the new licensing program will “dramatically improve” the education, training and oversight of crane operators.
“The common sense action that this mayor adopted will raise the level of professionalism that protects the safety of not only the public, but of all construction workers on a site,” he says, in a statement following the passage of the safety standards. “We commend the administration and the Department of Buildings for placing public safety ahead of political expediency in promulgating these rules.”
According to the DOB, licenses for crane operators are divided into three classes: class C for small mobile cranes, class A for medium-sized mobile and tower cranes and class B for a crane of any size or capacity. The new requirements will go into effect 30 calendar day after the rule is published in the city record on April 26.
The new requirements already currently hold active class A and B licenses will be required meet these requirements and obtain national certification by July 1, 2013 to retain their licenses.
Under the new requirements, new applicants seeking a license will also be required to complete a 40-hour training course that covers New York City’s construction and safety regulations, undergo a criminal background check, demonstrate physical fitness and comply with a substance abuse policy, says the DOB. Upon license renewal every three years, applicants must complete an eight-hour refresher training course. Failure to comply could result in criminal charges, the DOB says.
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