B.C. Marine and Pile Driving Contractors’ Association

September 20, 2006

To: All Marine and Pile Driving Contractors

Subject: Certification of Crane Operators

Comments:

Update Bulletin No.2

 

            In 1998 WorksafeBC introduced the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. Contained within these regulations was a provision for establishing a minimum competency level for crane operators. The underlying intent was to establish a formal program that would provide crane operators with a license or competency certification. The regulation was never enforced for the following reasons:

  1. The Industrial Training and Apprenticeship Commission (ITAC) which was referenced in the regulation was dissolved by the Provincial Government and
  2.  It was determined that there are a number of cranes and hoisting equipment that operated outside the construction industry and these operators did not have access to a designated crane training program.

In late 2004 WorksafeBC invited all the stakeholders to meet and explore the feasibility of developing a regulation that would meet the intent of the 1998 regulation and be acceptable to all the stakeholders. In 2005 The British Columbia Association for Crane Safety (BCACS) was incorporated under the Society Act. The mission of the Association is to provide leadership for health and safety training development within the crane hoisting industry. It serves all industry stakeholders as a forum for effectively addressing common safety issues and as an industry advisory body regarding standards, regulations, qualifications training and assessment. Its purpose is to support and maintain a comprehensive inclusive credentialing regime to support the goal of accident free crane operations throughout British Columbia.  The Board of Directors includes:

Rob Magee (Chairman)                    GWIL
Jim Barkman (Vice Chairman)         Eagle West Crane
Gary Kroeker                                    Local 115
Brian Savage                                      Western Industrial Contractor  
Mike Stekelenberg                            Alcan
Larry Sinclair                         BCMPDCA
Jim Voth                                             BC Hydro
Peter Sperlich                         BC Log and Timber Building
Bob Fedderly                                      Northern Society of Oilfield Contractors
Kathy Sheppard                                 WorksafeBC

                        To date the following key events have been achieved:

  1. The BCACS has applied for and received funding from WorksafeBC.
  2. The Association through individual Task Force Groups has developed Training Program Models for Mobile Crane operators, Tower Crane operators and Boom Truck operators. Attached is the Model for the Mobile Crane Certification Program.
  3. In August of 2006, WorksafeBC introduced new regulation OHS 14.34. A copy is attached complete with explanatory note and proposed guideline. Please note the guideline is not final and is currently being reviewed based on input from the Association concerning Direct Supervision.
  4. The Industry Training Authority (ITA) has agreed to modify the current training programs and will provide future funding for course development and course instruction.
  5. The BCACS has submitted a Request for Proposal for the development of course content for the crane development program. This RFP has been forwarded to the following groups:

Doug Simons
Vanier Training Consultants
Human Capital Strategies
Malispina University College
Operating Engineers Local 115
Fulford Harbour Consultants
Durham College-Ontario
B.C. Maritime Employers Association
Kathleen Savory and Associates

Over the next few months the BCACS will be involved in the following initiatives:
 

  1. Issuing an RFP for providing the training modules.
  2. Identifying experienced individuals to perform the practical assessment testing.
  3. Develop a training module for the practical test assessors.
  4. Develop a logbook for the operator in order to maintain a history of his work experience.
  5. Identify an authority to issue the crane operator license.

With regards to the licensing of current crane operators in the marine and pile driving industry it is the intent of the BCMPDCA to initiate the assessment program as soon as possible. The Association has identified 2 recently retired pile-driving operators who have offered their services for the practical assessment part of the program. These individuals will receive their formal training within the next 3 months and be available in the beginning of the New Year to begin assessment of the current operators in the industry. If any employer knows of an experienced operator who would be interested in working as an assessment officer for the BCACS please forward his name to the B.C. Marine and Pile Driving Contractors’ Association.

 OHS 14.34.1 states that by July 1, 2007 a mobile crane operator must have a valid operator’s certificate issued by a person acceptable to the Board. Existing operators will be licensed on the bases of their experience and will not be subject to a written examination. They will however be required to take a practical assessment test. This test will be conducted on the job using the employer’s crane. Because it may be impossible to practical test every operator by July 1, 2007, interim considerations will be given to any operator who has registered with the BCACS but has not had an assessment test.

            As a prerequisite to the program it is recommended that employers develop individual work histories of each operator. The history should include dates of employment, estimate of hours worked as an operator and the make and model of the cranes operated.

            Over the next few months more updates will be forwarded as the assessment portion of the program is finalized. If any employer has any questions please contact Larry Sinclair, B.C. Marine and Pile Driving Contractors’ Association, 604-986-5911.