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ARTICLE
Amendments to Cranes & Derricks regulation The Federal Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has set a July target date to make amendments to 1926 Subpart CC Cranes & Derricks in Construction. In addition, there are two new letters of interpretation dealing with riggers, both published earlier this year. The most significant proposed amendments include: Broaden the exclusion for forklifts carrying loads under the forks from “winch or hook” to with a “winch and boom.” Clarify an exclusion for work activities by articulating cranes. Clarify the use of demarcated boundaries for work near power lines. Correct error permitting body belts to be used as a personal fall arrest system rather than a personal fall restraint system. Resolve an issue of “NRTL-approved” safety equipment (e.g., proximity alarms and insulating devices) that is required by the final standard, but is not yet available. Note that OSHA issued a temporary enforcement policy for proximity alarms and insulating links that was effective April 30, 2014. In addition, there are two new letters of interpretation dealing with riggers, both published earlier this year. One has to do with labor-management joint apprenticeship training meeting the requirements for qualified rigger as long as the employer retains responsibility for ensuring that the rigger is qualified for the specific lift. The other asks if qualified riggers are required when the load weighs less than 2,000 lbs. OSHA affirmed they are required, and that the under-2,000 lb. exception “applies only when working with hoisting equipment, as specified in 29 CFR 1926.1441, having a 2,000-lb. capacity or less.”
In addition, there are two new letters of interpretation dealing with riggers, both published earlier this year. One has to do with labor-management joint apprenticeship training meeting the requirements for qualified rigger as long as the employer retains responsibility for ensuring that the rigger is qualified for the specific lift. The other asks if qualified riggers are required when the load weighs less than 2,000 lbs. OSHA affirmed they are required, and that the under-2,000 lb. exception “applies only when working with hoisting equipment, as specified in 29 CFR 1926.1441, having a 2,000-lb. capacity or less.”