Governmental agencies like OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) are placing more stringent regulations on companies who utilize cranes and on equipment owners. Confusion regarding equipment inspections under the new OSHA rules 29 CFR Subpart CC Cranes and Derricks has resulted in “Failure to perform annual inspections by a Qualified Person” to be No. 4 on the Top Ten OSHA Crane Standards Cited.
Only a qualified person will be allowed to conduct the annual inspection of crane equipment. A qualified person also needs to inspect the equipment after it has been modified, repaired or adjusted and after the equipment has been assembled.
A qualified person as defined by OSHA is one who, “by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, successfully demonstrates the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to the subject matter the work or project”.
A competent person may conduct the work shift and monthly equipment inspection as long as the person has been trained in the required elements of a shift inspection. OSHA’s definition of a Competent Person is “capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surrounds or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to employees, and who has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them”.
Employers are responsible for designating Inspectors of specific types and capacities of cranes, just as it is the responsibility of the Employers to designate operators, riggers, signalpersons, spotters, and assembly/disassembly directors for each lift and each project.
Does your Employer designate you for each particular lift and/or project?