The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a new crane and derrick standard, Subpart CC.

The summary was prepared by the LHSFNA’s Occupational Safety and Health Division Director Scott Schneider. He may be reached at 202-628-5465 or schneider@lhsfna.org.

The standard covers all cranes and derricks used in construction with many exceptions. The exceptions include the following:

• Tow trucks used to lift vehicles and clear wrecks, dedicated drilling rigs, tree trimming and removal work, and
• Gin poles for erecting communications towers, helicopter cranes, articulating “knuckle-boom” trucks (when used to transfer materials from a crane truck to the ground) and cranes used in railroad operations covered by the Federal Railway Administration.

The standard also contains more than 100 definitions. One of the more important definitions given is for qualified person. It defines a qualified person as one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate or professional standing, or who, by extensive knowledge, training and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work or the project.