Certification program modifications announced

The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) has announced a series of modifications to the CCO crane operator certification program aimed at streamlining the application process and broadening the scope of the program.

NCCCO no longer requires the submission of the DOTCDL or NCCCO physical exam forms as part of the candidate application. However, candidates must still comply with ASME B30 physical requirements in order to receive and maintain their CCO certification, and they must attest to compliance with these requirements when making their application.

These changes are reflected in the new revision of the CCO Candidate Handbooks and in the attestation statement on the new Candidate Application form which supersedes all previous versions.

The policy change is aimed at streamlining the CCO application process without diminishing program requirements.

“Clearly, it is vitally important that CCO-certified crane operators are physically and mentally able to operate cranes safely,”said NCCCO Executive Director Graham Brent. “This change in NCCCO administrative procedures is geared simply to reducing the paperwork burden on candidates, one which we believe they, and the industry, will welcome. In no way does this new procedure affect NCCCO's position on the need for operators to be physically qualified, in accordance with the provisions of the ASME B30 standard,”he said.

The 20 pounds of barrel ballast (weight) that is used in Task 3: Ball in Barrels has been removed for the small and large telescopic crane practical exams. The lattice boom crane practical exams (crawler or truck) will continue to use the 20 pounds of ballast for each barrel. A revised Mobile Crane Site Report is available on the NCCCO website at www.nccco.org.

The decision to remove the ballast was made after a detailed analysis of test statistics over a multi-year period as well as field reports from practical examiners. It was determined that, in some cases, instead of controlling the headache ball movement with appropriate control techniques (catching the load), candidates might use the weighted barrels inappropriately as a means to stop the headache ball from swinging.

NCCCO is now processing Practical Exam site requests for short boom configurations. Previously, all lattice boom cranes used for practical tests were required to have a boom of at least 120 feet plus or minus the shortest section (80 feet plus or minus the shortest section for cranes with capacities of 50 tons and below). act