Joel Oliva, special projects coordinator for the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO), Fairfax, Va., recently gave an update on new program development at the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association’s annual conference. During 2008 the NCCCO focused on developing exams for signal persons and riggers. Signal person Certification debuted last fall and the first test for Rigger (Basic Level) was given on April 17, 2009. The Intermediate Level is scheduled for roll-out this summer, followed by Advanced Level in August or September.
Meanwhile, the organization has been working with Washington state to develop a certification for crane inspectors. The Washington program will be completed this summer in time for its requirement Jan. 1, 2010. Using the Washington plan as a platform, NCCCO will roll out a national Inspector Certification program in late 2009 or early 2010.
Also on target for this fall is the Articulating Crane Operator Certification, which was developed in conjunction with the Articulating Crane Council of North America (ACCNA). Unlike the “specialty” exams that NCCCO has developed for mobile truck and crawler cranes, the articulating crane operator certification will be a stand-alone program because of the unique design and operating characteristics of knuckleboom cranes.
Finally, a Master Crane Operator Certification is now in the works. In addition to written and practical testing, those seeking master level certification must have a higher level of experience demonstrated by recording a certain number of hours of seat time. Specific requirements have not yet been determined. Previous NCCCO operator certification is a prerequisite. The development of this program meets a need commonly voiced in the industry that experienced crane operators desired a different designation than beginners. Implementation of this program is expected in January 2010.
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