Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 26, December 27, 2024
A. An employee who is not qualified or certified under Regulation .06 of this chapter is permitted to operate a crane as a crane operator trainee only where the requirements of this section are met.
B. An employer shall ensure compliance with the following:
(1) The crane operator trainee is familiar with and understands 29 CFR §
1926.1427(f)(1), (f)(2), and (f)(3)(i), (iii), and (iv);
(2) The crane operator trainer is qualified or certified under Regulation .06 of this chapter and is familiar with the proper use of the equipment's controls; and
(3) The crane operator trainee is directly supervised by the crane operator trainer at all times.
C. The employer shall provide each crane operator trainee with sufficient training prior to operating the equipment to enable the crane operator trainee to operate the equipment safely under limitations established by this section, including direct supervision, and ensure that the crane operator trainee has a basic understanding of:
(2) Standard hand signals as defined in ASME B30.5-2007 Safety Standard for Cableways, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Hooks, Jacks, and Slings"Mobile and Locomotive Cranes;
(3) Voice and radio communications;
(4) Crane dynamics involved in swinging, controlling, and stopping loads;
(5) Boom deflection from hoisting loads;
(6) Personal fall protection methods; and
(7) Hazards and restrictions associated with working adjacent to overhead electric lines and equipment.
D. In lieu of compliance with §C of this regulation, an employer may accept proof of completion of training through an operating engineer apprenticeship program that has been approved by the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council.
E. The crane operator trainee shall not operate the equipment under any of the following circumstances:
(1) If any part of the equipment, load line or load, including rigging and lifting accessories, is operated up to the equipment's maximum working radius in the work zone so that the load line or load 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;
(2) If the equipment is used to hoist personnel;
(3) In lifts where 75 percent of the crane's capacity may be exceeded;
(4) If the equipment is used over a shaft or cofferdam or in a tank farm; and
(5) Special-lift rigging operations, except where the crane operator trainer determines that the crane operator trainee skills are sufficient for this high-skill work.
F. Every 2 years, an employer shall ensure that a crane operator trainee provides the employer with the following current medical documentation:
(1) Proof of successful completion of a physical examination conducted by a licensed physician that includes, at a minimum, the examination criteria specified in Paragraph 3.1.2 of the ASME B30.5-2007 Safety Standard for Cableways, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Hooks, Jacks, and Slings"Mobile and Locomotive Cranes; or
(2) A certificate of medical examination as required for a commercial driver's license that would be acceptable to the U.S. Department of Transportation, unless the employee provides documentation from a licensed physician that the failure to meet these qualifications will not affect the individual's operation of a crane.
G. The employer shall require that each crane operator trainee has successfully passed a substance abuse test pursuant to the employer's drug and alcohol free workplace and substance abuse policy.
