23
NCCCONEWS
JUNE 2014
ACT
New eSubmit
system speeds
up certification
Anew system for submittingCCO
practical exam score sheets electronically
that expedites the scoringand certification
processhasbeen introducedby the
NationalCommission for theCertification
ofCraneOperators (NCCCO).Dubbed
“eSubmit,” and introducedaspart of
NCCCO’spolicyof continuingprogram
improvement, thenew system establishes a
process that allowsPractical Examiners to
scanand email Practical Exam score sheets
toNCCCO’s testing servicesprovider,
InternationalAssessment Institute
(IAI) rather than shipping themusinga
traceable carrier.
The launchof eSubmit follows several
monthsof pilot testingand isnow
available forNCCCOPractical Examiners
ingood standing.More than100NCCCO
Practical Examinershadbeenapproved
touse eSubmit by the endofMay, and
approximately40percent ofCCO
practical examswerenowbeing submitted
using thenew system, said JoelOliva,
Manager, ProgramDevelopment andTest
Administration.
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Power Line
Safety card is
handy reference
TheNational Commission for the Certification of
CraneOperators (NCCCO) ismaking available Power
Line Safety cards to help operators understand and
apply federal OSHA’s new guidelines for operating
cranes around power lines. The cards, issued in
conjunctionwith the Florida Crane Safety Alliance, also
provide references for best practices based on both
consensus standard ANSI B30.5 andOSHA29CFR
1926 Subpart CC.
“Studies show that electrocution from contact with
power lines account for a large percentage, if not themajority, of crane-related fatalities,”
saidNCCCO ExecutiveDirector, GrahamBrent. “WhileOSHA’s new crane rule provides
comprehensive requirements for operating cranes near power lines, applying the new
rules can be challenging. NCCCO is distributing these power line safety cards as a handy
reference for operators, lift directors, and others responsible for job site safety.”
One side of the cards covers numerous items to check before starting to lift, including
knowing the load, crane configuration and set up, boom configuration, radius of load, proper
rigging, environmental concerns, external obstacles to consider, communicationwith
riggers, and qualified lifting personnel. To better implement best practices, these items are
cross-referenced by role, indicatingwhich apply to lift directors, crane operators, riggers,
signal persons, oilers/trainees, andmanagement/supervision.
A flowchart on the reverse of the card helps users navigate the rules for working around
power lines detailed in 29CFR1926.1408. The flowchart startswith “IdentifyWork Zone”
andworks through an extensive decision tree to determine exactly what precautions are
necessary according to theOSHA requirements. Table A from theOSHA rule, “Minimum
ClearanceDistances,” is also included for easy reference.
NCCCO piloted the cards at CONEXPO’s Lift Safety Zone inMarch. Due to the popularity
of the power line safety demonstrations and the importance of the information on the cards,
NCCCO is distributing the reference cards to interested parties for a nominal charge to
cover the costs of printing andmailing (nccco.org/plscard).
Sicklesteel Cranes
donates20,000
calculators for use
onCCO exams
I
n support of theNationalCommission
for theCertificationofCrane
Operators’ (NCCCO) policyof
providing calculators for certainCCO
written exams, SicklesteelCranes,
Mt.Vernon,WA, has donated20,000
calculators for candidates’ use.
Calculators are supplied forCCOMobile
CraneOperator SpecialtyExams,Digger
DerrickOperator exams, RiggerLevel
II,MobileCrane Inspector,MobileLift
Director, andTowerLiftDirector exams.
“SicklesteelCranes isdelighted to show
its support ofCCO certificationprograms
and the safetybenefits certification
brings,” saidThomSicklesteel, president
of SicklesteelCranes. “Thishighlyvisible
sponsorshipopportunitydemonstrates
SicklesteelCranes’ commitment to
NCCCO’sprimarymissionof promoting
safe liftingpractices.”Sicklesteel also
currently servesNCCCOas its 2014
President. Candidates arepermitted to
keep the calculators after completing their
exam(s).
SinceNCCCO’spolicyallowing
calculatorson certain examswent into
effect twoyears ago,NCCCOhas given
awayapproximately30,000 calculators to
certification candidates.OnlyNCCCO-
supplied calculators arepermitted tobe
used– for security reasons, candidates
maynot bring theirown calculators into
the secure exam room.Candidates taking
their exams at a computer-based testing
test center continue touse anon-screen
calculator.
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