Recordkeeping Delay
OSHA has proposed a new date for electronic recordkeeping. The original date had been postponed until July 1, then OSHA issued a statement which for all purposes said “we’ll let you know.” Now the deadline has been proposed for December 1, 2017. This new date would still allow for a four-month window to get your records in. However, no method for submitting has been announced. We’ll keep you posted on these developments.
In the areas of cranes, there has been movement on a couple of items.
Crane Operator Training Delay
The deadline to get your crane operators officially certified has been continuously delayed since the rule became law in 2010. The most recent compliance certification November 10, 2017. However, OSHA is proposing to move this date once again. They haven’t issued an official date, but it’s thought to be November 10, 2018. UPDATE: The new compliance deadline for operator certification has indeed been set to November 10, 2018.
Monorail Hoist Compliance Change
OSHA has announced a change to its enforcement policy for monorail hoists. Monorail hoists are like those pictured above and are often used to place storage tanks for propane and oil, engines, commercial generators, precast concrete components such as septic systems and vaults, electrical transformers, temporary storage units, and other components.
Until recently, monorail hoists were enforced under the Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard. OSHA, along with a number of stakeholders, realized that while still a safety issue, these hoists did not operate in the same way other equipment enforced under this standard did.
Until a better option can be found, OSHA will not be enforcing the crane standard when it comes to these devices as long as your company…
- Complies with 1926.554 Overhead Hoists for Construction or the General Duty Clause for General Industry;
- Trains operators to safely use them;
- Makes determinations that each operator is qualified to safely use them per 1926.20, General Safety and Health Provisions; and,
- Follows the OSHA construction standards applicable to each vehicle or support system when your monorail hoists are mounted to work vehicles, utility trailers, scaffolding systems, or other mobile or stationary supports.
More info on the monorail hoists enforcement policy can be found here.