Grant funds new crane safety classes out West

The OSHA Training Institute at the University of California San Diego Extension will be offering a new crane safety class in Nevada, Arizona and California. The new classes are made possible by a $150,000 Susan Harwood Training Grant.

At the conclusion of the coursework, participants will take the written certifying exam from the National Commission on the Certification of Crane Operators, a test now required in California and other states. This course is designed to give safety professionals and mobile crane operators the knowledge to set-up, operate and maintain mobile cranes, said Bob Harrell, instructor for the OSHA Training Institute and owner of Safety Management Services in San Diego.

As part of the grant, UCSD Extension will be teaching the five-day safety courses at no cost to a limited number of students in Reno, Phoenix, and San Diego. Afterwards, the training will be offered regularly through UCSD Extension, says Carol Hosmer, program director. The goal is to prevent the all too frequent crane-related accidents that cause injuries, fatalities and property damage, says Hosmer.

More information about the OSHA Training Institute Region IX may be learned by visiting http://osha.ucsd.edu http://osha.ucsd.edu or by calling (858) 605-0109.