CCAA and NCCCO to Develop Certification Program for Crane Certifiers

FAIRFAX, Va., June 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Crane Certification Association of America (CCAA) and the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) announced plans to develop cooperatively a certification program for crane inspectors, also known as "crane certifiers" or "crane surveyors." The announcement was made jointly by both organizations at the Crane and Rigging Conference (CRC) held May 26–27, 2010, in Houston, TX.

CCAA and NCCCO mutually recognize the importance of safe crane operations and the role of certification in ensuring that personnel have the knowledge necessary to inspect and certify cranes. NCCCO will work with CCAA by providing test development guidance and psychometric expertise throughout the anticipated 10-month development timeframe.

"We are delighted to be joining NCCCO in creating a certification program for crane inspectors based on professionally developed assessment tools that will effectively test the knowledge required to certify cranes as meeting prevailing national standards," said CCAA President Ed Shapiro.

According to Kerry Hulse, NCCCO Commission Chairman, a task force will be assembled to develop the comprehensive written tests that will provide the core elements of a fair, valid, and legally defensible certification program for crane inspectors. "NCCCO's unique ability to harness the knowledge of subject matter experts from all sectors of the industry—and to combine it with solid psychometric support—underpins its recognition as a respected, independent, and nationally accredited certification-program developer of the highest standard," he said.

"NCCCO was contracted by the State of Washington to develop the crane certifier examinations for the new state requirement that went into effect last year," stated NCCCO Executive Director Graham Brent, "so we will be able to build on the specific experiences of that project in creating this new national program for crane certifiers."

"With CCO certification programs now firmly established for crane operators, riggers, and signalpersons, it makes perfect sense to bring into the certification mix the person who inspects the cranes as being safe to be operated in the first place," concluded Brent.

NCCCO will also administer the final certification program, which will meet or exceed all current and proposed state and federal requirements for crane operator qualifications including OSHA's proposed rule on cranes and derricks (C-DAC).

A "call for volunteers" has been posted on the NCCCO website (www.nccco.org) for qualified experts to sign up to participate.

ABOUT NCCCO

The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) is an independently accredited non-profit organization established for the purpose of developing and administering certification programs that measure the knowledge and proficiency of personnel that work with and around cranes and lifting equipment.

ABOUT CCAA

The Crane Certification Association of America (CCAA) was founded to promote crane safety, improve the crane certification profession, and address the subject of crane safety in governmental forums. For the past 27 years, CCAA has provided the continuing education that its members need to maintain and raise their level of expertise, as well as inform the public at large.

SOURCE National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators