The OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC -- Cranes and Derricks in Construction Standard requires a signal person to be evaluated by a "third-party qualified evaluator" or an employer's qualified evaluator. A qualification from an employer's qualified evaluator is not transferable.
Therefore, an independent third-party certification is highly advantageous.
The Iron Workers (IW) set the bar high in rigger and signal person training. It is the most comprehensive training program available. It requires a minimum of 80 hours in rigging and cranes training, 700 field experience hours or on-the-job training, and 23 units of instruction in addition to unit testing, assignments and practical exercises. It also includes an Apprentice Tracking System (ATS) and Quick Response Code verification. Other qualification programs require only eight or fewer hours of training, and some don't require any.
OSHA recently recognized the IW Apprenticeship and Training Department and Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs) meet the definition of a third-party qualified evaluator. This important recognition will help eliminate duplicate certification costs. It eliminates the need for additional training to satisfy OSHA regulations and project owner requirements.
The IW is working on implementing a new third-party rigging and signal person certification program. The comprehensive certification program will include customized written and practical components. The written component will be administered through a learning management system, and proctors will oversee both components. The written component will be developed using a Job and Task Analysis (JTA). The IW is on schedule to implement the third-party certification program by the end of the year and to seek accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
The IW continues to raise the bar and lead the industry in qualified rigger and signal person programs. "Apart from the OSHA stamp of approval, we have received industry-wide recognition for the quality of our program," said Eric Dean, general president of the IW. The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) lists the IW Ironworker Rigging Manual as a study resource for its certification test, and the program meets the Canadian National Occupational Analysis (NOA) requirements. Southern Co. and Crosby are among many industry experts that have endorsed the program.
For more information, visit www.ironworkers.org.
