ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS - INITIAL CERTIFICATION

Requirements for initial certification are addressed on page 3 of the OECP Crane Operator Candidate Manual. They include the following:

·        Be a member in good standing with any Local of the International Union of Operating Engineers with dues paid through the current month.

·        Possess a valid U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Medical Card/Certificate or a state issued Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Medical Card/Certificate.

·        Comply with the OECP’s substance abuse policy.

·        Have 1,000 hours of documented crane-related experience and/or training in previous five (5) years. Note: For tower cranes, 500 hours of this 1,000 hour requirement must be in documented, tower crane-related experience and/or training.

·        Pass written examinations (mobile crane candidates must pass the mobile crane written examination; overhead crane candidates must pass the overhead crane written examination; and tower crane candidates must pass the tower crane written examination).

·        Pass practical examination(s).

ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION

The OECP Certification Director is responsible for determining an applicant’s conformity to the program’s published eligibility requirements. Appeals from rejected applicants should be directed to the OECP Board of Directors at the address listed on page 6 of the OECP Crane Operator Candidate Manual. The Board of Directors will make the final decision on any issue of eligibility determination.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must meet the physical requirements as contained in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B30.5 standard or the U.S. DOT physical requirements contained in 49 CFR Sections 391.41-391.49.

Evidence of the above physical condition is indicated by the candidate’s possession of a valid U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Medical Card/Certificate, or a state issued Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Medical Card/Certificate.

Medical Cards must be renewed every two (2) years. The OECP certification is only valid when accompanied by a current DOT or DMV Medical Card/Certificate.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY

It is the policy of the OECP that crane operators who apply for certification, or recertification, shall not use prescribed, over-the-counter, or illegal substances which may impair their ability to safely operate a crane.

This includes, but is not limited to, illegal drugs, controlled substances, designer drugs, or any other substance which has an effect on the human body of being a narcotic, depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogen.

An exception is that an operator may use a drug if it is prescribed by a licensed physician who is familiar with the operator’s medical history and all assigned duties, and who has advised the operator that the prescribed drug will not adversely affect the operator’s ability to safely operate a crane.

In addition to this policy, all candidates must comply with the substance abuse testing rules as specified in ASME B30.5.

ASME B30.5 states: “Operator . . . shall meet the following . . . a negative result for a substance abuse test. The level of testing will be determined by the standard practice for the industry where the crane is employed and this test shall be confirmed by a recognized laboratory service."

A "recognized" laboratory should be one that is certified to meet federally mandated standards.

Candidates applying for either initial certification, or recertification, must submit proof of a negative substance abuse test from a recognized laboratory or medical review officer conducted within 90 days of application receipt by the OECP.

Please read the entire Candidate Manual for further information.