ab-and-bc-crane-and-mechanical-lifting-certifications-and-requirments

[vickyp]

#102817

Forum: Community

What are the requirements for training and certification for personnel that operate mechanical lifting devices. Everything from 1 ton over head cranes to mobile cranes, to picker trucks’ are there required training and certifications and where can i find this information

[vickyp]

#103283

The Alberta requirements are contained in Part 6 of the OHS Code, Sec. 64, https://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/OHS/OHSCode.pdf
Operator requirements
64(1) An employer must ensure that a lifting device is only operated by a competent worker
authorized by the employer to operate the equipment.
64(2) At the employer’s request, an operator, before operating a lifting device, must be able
to demonstrate that the worker is competent in the equipment’s operation and
knowledgeable about load charts and the code of signals for hoisting operations.
64(3) No worker other than the competent worker authorized by the employer may operate
a lifting device.
64(4) Before operating a particular lifting device, the operator must be familiar with all
recent entries in its log book.
The OHS Guidance fleshes out the details  https://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/OHS/OHSCodeExplanationGuide.pdf   starting on page 9
Section 64 Operator requirements
Subsection 64(1)
An employer must ensure that the operator of a lifting device meets two conditions.
First, the worker must be competent. Under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act,
no person may work in the occupation of Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator
unless that person
 has a recognized trade certificate:
 Alberta Journeyman Certificate
 Alberta Qualification Certificate
 Alberta Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship
 Alberta Certificate of Proficiency
 Certificates of Completion of Apprenticeship issued by another province prior to
May 9, 1996
 Certificates bearing the Interprovincial Standards Program Red Seal
 Effective June 26, 1988, certificates for the Trade issued by Saskatchewan
Apprenticeship; or
 has applied to go into an apprenticeship program; or
 is in an apprenticeship program; or
 is a student in a work‐training program; or
 is otherwise permitted under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act to work in
the trade; or
 has a certificate from another jurisdiction that is not recognized and has applied to
have it recognized and is working under apprentice‐type supervision; or
 is in a recognized training program from another jurisdiction and working under
apprentice‐type supervision; or
 has applied for a certificate and is working under apprentice‐type supervision.
These provisions under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act are limited to
(a) tower cranes;
(b) mobile cranes with a lifting capacity of 15 tons or greater;
(c) stiff boom trucks that have a lifting capacity greater than 5 tons;
(d) articulating boom trucks that have a lifting capacity greater than 5 tons equipped
with a winch or 8 tons if not equipped with a winch; and
(e) wellhead boom trucks.
A journeyman’s certificate, or an equivalent credential recognized by Alberta Advanced
Education, Apprenticeship and Industry Training, is not required under the OHS Act,
Regulation or Code to prove the competency of a worker performing the work of a
particular compulsory trade.
The absence of an Alberta trade certificate alone is insufficient to consider a worker not
competent. The employer is ultimately responsible for ensuring that workers are
Occupational Health and Safety Code 2018 Part 6
Explanation Guide
6-11
adequately qualified, suitably trained and have sufficient experience to perform their
work safely. Employers need to be aware of OHS and other legislation that applies to
their workers.
Subsection 64(2)
An operator must be able to demonstrate competency in operating the device, including,
where relevant
(a) operating the lifting device in a proper, safe, controlled, and smooth manner in
accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications;
(b) reading and understanding lift plans;
(c) maintaining the equipment log book and the operator’s log book;
(d) selecting the appropriate boom, jib and crane configuration to meet lift requirements
and determine the net lifting capacity of this configuration;
(e) determining the number of parts of line required;
(f) thoroughly understanding the information in the operating manual and
understanding the device’s limitations;
(g) knowing, understanding and properly using the load charts;
(h) inspecting the lifting device and performing daily maintenance as required by the
manufacturer’s specifications or by the employer;
(i) checking that all hazards have been identified;
(j) shutting down and securing the device when it is unattended; and
(k) understanding and using hand signals for hoisting operations.
Subsection 64(3)
Any worker who does not meet the requirements of subsection (1) is prohibited from
operating the lifting device.
Subsection 64(4)
To ensure the safest possible lifting operation, the operator of a lifting device must be
familiar with the device’s operating condition. The device’s log book is the record of that
condition at any given time and the operator is required to review recent entries prior to
operating the device.
********
For BC, Sec. 14.34 of the OHS Reg. https://www.worksafebc.com/en/law-policy/occupational-health-safety/searchable-ohs-regulation/ohs-regulation/part-14-cranes-and-hoists#SectionNumber:14.34
14.34 Operator qualifications
(1) A crane or hoist must only be operated by a qualified person who has been instructed to operate the equipment.
(2) A person must demonstrate competency, including familiarity with the operating instructions for the crane or hoist and the code of signals for hoisting operations authorized by the Board before operating the equipment.

14.34.1 Operator certification
On and after July 1, 2007, a mobile crane, tower crane or boom truck must be operated only
(a) by a person with a valid operator’s certificate issued by a person acceptable to the Board, and
(b) in accordance with any conditions stipulated on the certificate.
[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 243/2006, effective January 1, 2007.]

WorkSafeBC Guidance  https://www.worksafebc.com/en/law-policy/occupational-health-safety/searchable-ohs-regulation/ohs-guidelines/guidelines-part-14#0ABED581C7104F4FA0A39EDD3A887539
G14.34 Operator qualifications and competencies
Issued October 28, 2015
Regulatory excerpt
Section 14.34 of the OHS Regulation (“Regulation”) states:

(1) A crane or hoist must only be operated by a qualified person who has been instructed to operate the equipment.
(2) A person must demonstrate competency, including familiarity with the operating instructions for the crane or hoist and the code of signals for hoisting operations authorized by the Board before operating the equipment.

Purpose of guideline
An operator of a crane or hoist (including an operator of equipment with a different primary design function that is being used in a hoisting or lifting application) needs to be knowledgeable and competent in assembly, set-up, erection, start-up, shutdown, dismantling, maintenance, inspection, and safe operation, as applicable and relevant to the specific equipment being operated.
This guideline outlines the requirement for the operator to be qualified and competent on the various types of equipment covered under section 14.34 of the Regulation.
The guideline also provides an explanation of the minimum qualifications that must be held and competencies that must be demonstrated by a qualified person before the person is permitted to operate the equipment covered under section 14.34.
The requirements in section 14.34 apply to cranes and hoists of a type required to meet a standard specified in section 14.2 and to any other equipment with a different primary design function that is being used in a hoisting or lifting application (refer also to section 14.1.1). This includes logging equipment that uses a load line for lifting. It does not include a front end loader, an excavator, or other earth moving equipment that is being used
(a) In applications consistent with its primary design purpose, or
(b) During a lifting task incidental to its primary design purpose if the manuals and operating instructions of the manufacturer of that equipment provide criteria for that lifting task.
Qualifications
Equipment may only be operated by a person qualified to do so. This means that the person must be knowledgeable of the work being done, the hazards involved, and the means to control the hazards, by reason of education, training, experience, or a combination of these. Also, the person must have been instructed in how to operate the specific equipment being used. This applies to operation of a crane or hoist, and where other equipment is being used in a hoisting or lifting application. For example, a rotating pipe layer or a side boom tractor is used in a hoisting or lifting application when placing pipes into position. The requirements of section 14.34 of the Regulation apply.
For a mobile crane, tower crane, or boom truck, there are additional operator certification requirements under section 14.34.1 of the Regulation.
Competencies for equipment used in hoisting or lifting operations
Before operating a crane, hoist, or other equipment being used in a hoisting or lifting application, an operator must demonstrate competency to do so, as appropriate to the equipment being used and as appropriate to the operator’s responsibilities, including but not limited to the following:
(a) Understanding the information in the equipment manufacturer’s operating manual and safety decals, including emergency procedures; understanding the limitations of the equipment (e.g., slopes, terrain, loads, extensions); understanding the applicable requirements of the Regulation
(b) Ability to recognize worksite potential hazards, including overhead, underground, ground conditions (slope/soil/excavation), other trades in proximity, pedestrians, and mobile traffic
(c) Ability to assemble and disassemble the crane or hoist in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications
(d) Selecting the appropriate boom, jib, track/outrigger extension, parts of load line, and counterweight to meet lift requirements and determine the net lifting capacity of this configuration
(e) Knowing, understanding, and properly using the load charts with respect to actual lifting components installed and the configuration being used
(f) Selecting, configuring, and using the controls and control panel, computer, and limiting device functions with respect to the actual machine components installed
(g) Inspecting the equipment components (e.g., pre-operational checks and regular periodic inspections) and performing minor maintenance as required by, and at intervals required by, the manufacturer’s specifications, applicable Standard, or the employer
(h) Maintaining the equipment log book with respect to pre-shift inspections and safety checks, and entering any observed defects, operating difficulty, or need for maintenance; reporting required repairs immediately to the employer
(i) Operating the equipment in a proper, safe, controlled, and smooth manner in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications; understanding and implementing safe rigging and lifting procedures
(j) Understanding and using hand signals and radio protocol for hoisting operations
(k) Calculating (as necessary) and understanding lift plans
(l) Understanding critical lift definitions, supervision, planning, and meeting the applicable requirements
(m) Shutting down and securing the equipment when it is unattended
If the assessment reveals any gaps in the worker’s knowledge or skills, the employer needs to ensure these gaps are addressed through further training and instruction.
Verification of competence
As part of an inspection by a WorkSafeBC prevention officer, employers may be asked to verify compliance with the requirement that the operator of the crane or hoist is qualified and has demonstrated competence. This verification would entail reviewing records relating to the competency assessment and the qualifications of the operator. The extent of documentation expected would reflect the nature of the crane or hoisting equipment, in particular the size and complexity of the equipment. For example, it is likely to be much simpler to assess competencies of an operator of a small shop crane than it is to assess competencies for an operator of a large warehouse bridge crane.

G14.34.1 Operator certification
Issued January 1, 2007; Editorial Revision May 3, 2007; Revised December 1, 2008; Revised July 9, 2009; Revised March 7, 2011; Revised November 21, 2017
Regulatory excerpt
Section 14.34.1 of the OHS Regulation (“Regulation”) states:

On and after July 1, 2007, a mobile crane, tower crane or boom truck must be operated only
(a) by a person with a valid operator’s certificate issued by a person acceptable to the Board, and
(b) in accordance with any conditions stipulated on the certificate.

Purpose of guideline
The purpose of this guideline is to identify who is considered “a person acceptable to the Board” and has the authority for certifying crane operators in the province of British Columbia, in accordance with section 14.34.1 of the Regulation.
Types of equipment operators covered
Section 14.34.1 applies to operators of all mobile cranes, boom trucks, and tower cranes with a rated capacity equal to or greater than five tons (4.54 tonnes) and/or with a boom length equal to or greater than 25 feet (7.62 meters) based on manufacturer’s specifications. WorkSafeBC considers this equipment to include the following:
Mobile Cranes and Boom Trucks:
As described in

• CSA Standard Z150-1998, Safety Code for Mobile Cranes
• ANSI Standard ANSI/ASME B30.5-2004, Mobile and Locomotive Cranes
• ANSI Standard ANSI/ASME B30.22-2005, Articulating Boom Cranes

Tower Cranes
As described in

• CSA Standard Z248-2004, Code for Tower Cranes
• ANSI Standard ASME B30.4-2003, Portal, Tower, and Pillar Cranes

Crane operator certification
Crane operator certification is administered through the British Columbia Association for Crane Safety (BC Crane Safety). As the administrator, BC Crane Safety is responsible for the certification process; including application, assessment, quality assurance, and maintenance of the certification scheme. BC Crane Safety has the authority to issue crane operator certification in B.C.
Full details on how to become certified as a crane operator are available at http://www.bccranesafety.ca.
Credential recognition — Other jurisdictions
Crane operators from other jurisdictions must have their credentials validated by BC Crane Safety to receive a certificate acceptable to WorkSafeBC.
Enforcement
On inspections at workplaces, a WorkSafeBC prevention officer may require a crane operator to produce a valid BC Crane Operator Certificate. An employer that permits a non-certified operator to operate a crane will be subject to orders from the prevention officer. In some situations, the employer may be subject to administrative penalties. The non-certified operator may also be subject to orders prohibiting the operator from continuing to operate a crane.
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Hope this helps. Glenn

[Author]

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