WASHINGTON (AP) - In the wake of three construction crane accidents in the
past three months that claimed 11 lives, industry groups on Thursday called for
nationwide safety standards.
An industry council agreed on a set of standards in July 2004 and
recommended them to the Department of Labor, but the proposal has languished
within the department's Occupational Health and Safety Administration since
then, the groups said.
"It cannot be overemphasized that the time for action is now," said Bill
Smith, president of NationsBuilders Insurance Services, which provides insurance
to crane operators. "National uniformity of standards is essential and
government must expedite the process."
The proposed standards include a requirement that all crane operators obtain
licenses, either under state programs or from accredited groups.
Fifteen states currently have similar rules, including New York, where two
of the recent accidents have taken place. Florida, where the third accident
occurred, doesn't require certification but is one of five states considering
doing so, according to Graham Brent, executive director of the National
Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators.
Smith said he has learned that the proposed rules, which also cover crane
design and construction, have been sent to the White House's Office of
Management and Budget for review, which will take 30 to 90 days. The public will
then comment on the rule for another 12 to 18 months before it can be issued.
Sharon Worthy, a Labor Department spokeswoman, referred questions to OMB. A
phone call to OMB was not returned.
"Any accident that occurs in our industry is of great concern to us, but the
tragic loss of life is particularly troubling and completely unacceptable," said
Joel Dandrea, executive vice president of the Specialized Carriers and Rigging
Association, which represents 1,300 transportation and industrial machinery
companies.
Dandrea also said his group has formed a task force that will develop a set
of construction crane "best practices" for contractors.
OSHA's existing rules for workers who operate cranes have not been updated
since 1971, though the agency acknowledges modernized standards could help
prevent future accidents.
The Labor Department in May estimated there are as many as 82 fatalities
annually associated with cranes in construction, and said a more up-to-date
standard would help prevent them. Most crane accidents are due to wind or
operator error, experts say.
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