06.03.2009

Oklahoma House defeats licensing for crane operators

Oklahoma, USA has decided that crane operators do not need to be licensed. The House defeated the Bill 2079 proposed by Labour Commissioner Lloyd Fields by a vote 48 to 41 in a measure that would have established regulations for crane operators.

Four people were killed in crane and aerial basket accidents in the past year, which Fields said prompted him to work on legislation that would require crane operators to be licensed.

The bill’s author, Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, said there may not be enough time for the bill to be reconsidered. March 12 is the deadline for House bills to be voted out of the House; it’s doubtful his proposal would be attached as an amendment to a Senate measure, he said.

Federal regulations on heavy equipment operators are scheduled to take effect in 2013. Wesselhoft and Fields said HB 2079 had minimum regulations and would have helped crane operators get used to having operators licensed.
"It’s a very dangerous occupation and a lot of people are being injured and killed from these crane accidents,” Wesselhoft said.

New requirements
HB 2079 would have required licenses for crane operators. Applicants would have to be at least 21 years old, have at least 2,000 hours of related experience, and pass a written and practical examination as well as a drug test. His legislation also would have developed a license for trainees, who would be at least 18 years old.
His proposal also would have established a crane operator licensing board. Its responsibility would be to oversee the operator and trainee exams.
However several questioned the need for a new board, saying the Labour Department and federal safety inspectors should be responsible for those duties.