The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) has recently made available its Articulating Boom Crane Operator written certification exams in Spanish. The exams, which are a direct translation of the English exams, have been developed by a panel of bilingual crane experts, including a representative from Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau (CICB). These are essential to employers who must ensure their Spanish-speaking operators meet the OSHA 1926 Subpart CC requirements.
CICB’s Senior Bi-Lingual Instructor, Jeff Palacios, notes that “the ability for Spanish-speaking operators to test in their native tongue allows them to effectively demonstrate their mastery of articulating boom crane operations, without being penalized for their limited fluency in English.”
Articulating or knuckle-boom cranes, primarily known for material delivery, have gradually been adopted to perform tasks that were previously handled by telescopic-boom mobile cranes. “The many tasks that articulating cranes are being used for has led to some confusion as to whether the operators are required to be certified under OSHA 1926 Subpart CC,” said John O’Connor, CICB’s Houston Manager and Career School Director.
OSHA defines construction as “work for construction, alteration, and/or repair, including painting and decorating.” The delivery of construction materials is typically classified as “general industry” but, if a crane facilitates a construction activity while delivering materials, it is also considered “construction” and Subpart CC rules apply.
Under OSHA’s Regulation all articulating crane operators will need to be certified if the crane is used to hold, support, or stabilize material to facilitate a construction activity, or if they are handling pre-fabricated components (such as roof trusses or wall panels) or structural steel. Articulating cranes used purely to deliver materials from truck to ground are exempt at this time.
About CICB
Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau is a veteran-owned Texas company with offices and training facilities in Houston and Orlando, FL. CICB provides training, inspections, and management assist visits globally. Additionally, Houston is home to CICB’s Career School, which is approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission, Division of Career Schools and Colleges.
CICB’s professionally trained instructors and subject matter experts are not only NCCCO Accredited Practical Examiners, but are NCCCO Certified as Mobile, Overhead & Articulating Crane Operators, Riggers, Signalpersons, Lift Directors and Crane Inspectors. CICB’s instructors have been awarded the prestigious Top Trainer Award in 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2009