(1) Prior to operating any crane covered under chapter
296-155 WAC, Part L, with the exception of the trainee/apprentice requirements outlined in subsection (2) of this section and those cranes exempt in WAC
296-155-52900(3), you must ensure that the operator meets the following requirements:
(a) Has a valid crane operator certificate, for the type of crane to be operated, issued by a crane operator testing organization which has an accredited program, accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency. The operator certification must include a successful passing of a written and practical examination for each crane category listed in Table 3 and by crane type for mobile cranes.
(b) A determination through a written test that:
(i) The individual knows the information necessary for safe operation of the specific type of crane/derrick the individual will operate, including all of the following:
(A) The controls and operational/performance characteristics.
(B) Use of, and the ability to calculate, load/capacity information on a variety of configurations of the crane/derrick.
(C) Procedures for preventing and responding to power line contact.
(D) Technical knowledge similar to the subject matter criteria listed in WAC
296-155-56420 of this part applicable to the specific type of crane/derrick the individual will operate. Use of WAC
296-155-56420 criteria meets the requirements of this provision.
(E) Technical knowledge applicable to:
(I) The suitability of the supporting ground and surface to handle expected loads.
(II) Site hazards.
(III) Site access.
(F) This part, including applicable incorporated materials.
(ii) The individual is able to read and locate relevant information in the equipment manual and other materials containing information referred to in (i) of this subsection.
(c) A determination through a practical test that the individual has the skills necessary for safe operation of the crane/derrick, including the following:
(i) Ability to recognize, from visual and auditory observation, the items listed in WAC
296-155-53405(2).
(ii) Operational and maneuvering skills.
(iii) Application of load chart information.
(iv) Application of safe shut-down and securing procedures.
Notes: | • An operator's certificate issued by the accredited testing agency is valid for a 5-year period, and must be renewed to ensure operators maintain qualified operator status. |
| • For self-erecting tower cranes, the department will accept a tower crane certification issued by a nationally accrediting testing agency. |
| • For derricks, the department will accept, at a minimum, a lattice boom truck or crawler mobile crane operator's certificate. |
| • An operator will be deemed qualified to operate a crane if the operator is certified under (a) of this subsection for the type and capacity of the crane or for higher-capacity crane of the same type. |
(d) If there is no accredited written or practical test for operator certification available, you must ensure the operator has been completely trained, evaluated and tested by you on the operating procedures for the piece of equipment in use as recommended by the crane/equipment manufacturer and the applicable ASME standard. This process must be documented and made available upon request.
(e) Has crane hours of experience as shown in Table 3; and
(f) Pass a substance abuse test conducted by a recognized laboratory.
Exemption: | When it is necessary in the performance of their duties, manufacture representatives, factory representatives and maintenance personnel are not required to be certified crane operators. |
Crane Operator Experience for Cranes Used in the Construction Industry
Table 3
The 5 Categories of Cranes and their Types | Number of Hours of Actual Crane Operating Experience | Number of Hours of Crane Related Experience |
(1) Mobile Cranes |
(a) Lattice Boom Crawler Cranes (LBC) | 300 tons and above 1000 Hours | 300 tons and above 1000 Hours |
Under 300 tons 500 Hours | Under 300 tons 500 Hours |
(b) Lattice Boom Truck Cranes (LBT) | 300 tons and above 1000 Hours | 300 tons and above 1000 Hours |
Under 300 tons 500 Hours | Under 300 tons 500 Hours |
(c) Large Telescopic Boom Cranes (Swing Cab) (TLL) (including digger derricks) | Over 130 tons 750 Hours | Over 130 tons 750 Hours |
Over 40 tons to 130 tons 250 Hours | Over 40 tons to 130 tons 250 Hours |
40 tons and under 40 Hours | 40 tons and under 40 Hours |
(d) Small Telescopic Boom Cranes (Fixed Cab) (TSS) (including digger derricks) | 15 tons and above 40 Hours | 15 tons and above 40 Hours |
Over 5 tons and under 15 tons 20 Hours | Over 5 tons and under 15 tons 20 Hours |
| 5 tons and under 8 hours | 5 tons and under 16 hours |
(2) Articulating Boom Cranes | 20 Hours | 20 Hours |
(3) Tower Cranes |
(a) Hammerhead | 500 Hours | 500 Hours |
(b) Luffer | 500 Hours | 500 Hours |
(c) Self-Erecting | 50 Hours | 50 Hours |
(4) Overhead/Bridge and Gantry Cranes |
(a) Cab Operated | 40 Hours | 40 Hours |
(b) Pendant/Remote | 40 Hours | 40 Hours |
(5) Derricks (not including digger derricks) | 20 Hours | 500 Hours |
Hours of actual crane operating experience. For all cranes: Time while the operator is at the controls of the crane; and/or has direct control of that crane; and/or a combination of operating hours within the same crane type. For mobile cranes: It also includes time while installing/removing boom sections, luffing boom, jib, extending and retracting outriggers/stabilizers, leveling crane, and replacing hoisting rope. For tower cranes: It includes time while jumping (increasing the height of the tower/mast). |
| Note: Additional actual crane operator experience may account for crane related experience. |
Hours of crane related experience: Time as a signalperson/bellman, oiler, crane mechanic, crane inspector, formal classroom training, crane simulator operation, and a combination of operating hours on other categories of cranes. |
Note: | Cranes and other lifting machines covered under this part that are exempt can be found in WAC 296-155-52900(3). |
(2) Prequalification/certification training period. An employee who is not a qualified crane operator as outlined in subsection (1) of this section is permitted to operate the crane as part of his/her training providing the following requirements are met:
(a) The employee ("trainee/apprentice") must be provided with sufficient training prior to operating the crane to enable the trainee to operate the crane safely under limitations established by this section (including continuous supervision) and any additional limitations established by the employer.
(b) The tasks performed by the trainee/apprentice while operating the crane must be within the trainee's ability, as determined by the supervising qualified crane operator.
(c) Qualified crane/derrick operator. While operating the crane/derrick, the trainee/apprentice must be continuously supervised by a qualified crane/derrick operator who meets the following requirements:
(i) The qualified crane/derrick operator is an employee or agent of the trainee's/apprentice's employer.
(ii) The qualified crane/derrick operator under this section is familiar with the proper use of the crane's/derrick's controls.
(iii) While supervising the trainee/apprentice, the qualified crane/derrick operator performs no tasks that detract from the qualified crane/derrick operator's ability to supervise the trainee/apprentice.
(iv) For cranes other than tower cranes: The qualified crane/derrick operator and the trainee/apprentice must be in direct line of sight of each other. In addition, they must communicate verbally or by hand signal.
(v) For tower cranes: The qualified crane operator and the trainee/apprentice must be in direct communication with each other.
(d) The trainee/apprentice must not operate the crane in any of the following circumstances:
(i) If any part of the crane, load line or load (including rigging and lifting accessories), if operated up to the crane's maximum working radius in the work zone, could get within 20 feet of a power line that is up to 350 kV, or within 50 feet of a power line that is over 350 kV;
(ii) If the crane is used to hoist personnel;
(iii) In a multiple-crane or multiple load line lift situations; or
(iv) Multiple-lift rigging, as defined in WAC
296-155-52902, can only be accomplished by the trainee/apprentice when the qualified crane operator determines that the trainee's/apprentice's skills are sufficient for this high-skill work.
(v) Critical lifts, as defined in WAC
296-155-52902, can only be accomplished by the trainee/apprentice when the qualified crane operator determines that the trainee's/apprentice's skills are sufficient for this high-skill work.
(3) You must obtain documentation showing hours of crane operator experience and crane related experience separated out by crane type and capacity.
Note: | You may accept a signed declaration from the crane operator attesting to actual hours of crane operator experience and crane related experience separated out by crane type and capacity. For sample declaration form see WAC 296-155-56425. |
(4) The department may recognize crane operator certification from another state or territory of the United States as equivalent to qualified crane operator requirements if the department determines that the other jurisdiction's credentialing standards are substantially similar to the qualified crane operator requirements.
(5) Crane operator experience and crane related experience must be documented and separated out by crane type and capacity; this documentation need only show the minimum amount of hours as outlined in Table 3 above. If you are documenting crane operating and/or related crane experience hours, you must provide a copy of the hours to the operator as soon as practical, if requested.