New OSHA Crane Mandates now make it compulsory for all rigging and signal person personnel to meet certifying or qualification standards. For many workers, this involves training and assessment to ensure they meet these standards – and that may include workers who have been in the job for many years. This is a direct effort to increase safety awareness in workplaces, and to ensure there is a minimum standard across all workplaces in the United States where cranes are in use.

Associated Training Services (ATS) has two training programs that are designed to meet these standards. These training programs are:

Rigging / Signalperson – Qualification Program

• Meets OSHA qualification standard for rigging and signal person.
• Includes written and practical training and testing.
• 8 to 12 hours depending on number of candidates

Rigging / Signalperson – Certification Program

• Exceeds OSHA qualification standard for rigging and signal person.
• Includes written and practical training and testing.
• 32 to 36 hours (4 days) depending on number of candidates.

The ATS training programs are flexible and designed to be delivered in the workplace. We come to your site where we deliver a combination of classroom/written subject matter and testing, along with practical instruction and testing relevant to the training programs requested. Upon completion of the rigging/signalperson training program, participants who have successfully completed the required components will receive either a Qualification Compliance Card issued by Associated Training Services (Qualification Program) or NCCCO Rigging Level One and NCCCO Signalperson Certifications issued by the National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators (Certification Program).

If you have any doubts as to whether or not your employees currently meet the new OSHA Crane Mandate, contact us. We can assess your situation and determine what training your employees require to comply with these mandates.

Over the years the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) have established guidelines and minimum requirements for workers engaged in different industries. In the construction industry, there are a range of occupations that have been looked at in order to increase safety and, in so doing, decrease the number of accidents. Riggers have not been immune from this close examination, and from November 8, 2010, riggers had to be ‘qualified’ to undertake specific tasks.

To meet OSHAs criteria for a “qualified person”, riggers must meet certain conditions. These include:

….possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to rigging.

The easiest way to demonstrate these abilities is by obtaining an NCCCO certification. This is generally obtained following training and assessment by a suitably qualified assessor. Experienced riggers can obtain certification by undertaking the assessment alone. However, rules and regulations are constantly changing so updating skills through training never hurts.

Employers must engage qualified riggers for work that includes the assembly and/or dis-assembly of cranes, hooking, unhooking, or guiding a load, or in the initial connection of a load to a component or structure and are within the fall zone. Associated Training Services has been accredited through NCCCO to deliver training and assessment to meet the standard required for certification as a rigger. By undertaking rigger training and assessment through ATS, employees will receive their rigger certification, a qualification that is portable and recognized across the country. If you are a rigger who requires certification, contact ATS for more information on our next training and assessment program.

If you visit a number of construction sites, there is one thing they may have in common – they all use a different language when it comes to hand signals. This often occurs when a team has worked together for a long period of time. Informal hands signals start to creep in, often because they are thought to be easier than the industry standard signals.

Industry standards are important. To begin with, they are portable so a worker can work on any site and they will be using the same language as everyone else. In fact, your English skills may be barely adequate, but your hand signals will be clearly understood by everyone. Industry standards are also important as they are generally deemed to be the clearest and easiest to learn by all.

If you employ riggers and signal persons, do they use the industry standard hand signals? It is now compulsory for workers in these areas to hold an OSHA qualification for their positions. This qualification is a way of recognizing the skills that each employee has in their field, and that they meet national minimal standards. Hand signals are an important component of a rigger’s and signal person’s working life.

For employers who have workers in either one (or both) of these fields, you need to ensure they all hold an OSHA qualification for riggers or signal persons. If they don’t, you may be subject to legal action resulting in quite large fines. Associated Training Services has a number of programs designed to qualify riggers and signal persons. These programs can be delivered either at your workplace or in our training schools. Upon completion of the programs, your employees will be eligible for compliance cards, thus meeting the new labor law requirements.

With workplaces rules and regulations constantly changing, employers can find it hard to keep up to date with what is required. Some recent changes include a requirement for all riggers and signalpersons to be assessed as qualified for their roles. They also need to be able to produce a qualification compliance card to prove they have passed those assessments.

If you have a team of riggers that are about to start a job, and they don’t have those compliance cards, now is the time to have them assessed. Training and assessment can be completed in as little as eight hours – that’s just one full day. Do they need training? Perhaps not, however, they may have knowledge gaps that could see them fail their assessments and not receive their compliance cards. Training is designed to fill in any gaps they may have.

The ATS rigging and signal person qualification program meets the OSHA qualification standard for rigging and signalperson and includes both written and practical training and testing. ATS trainers can deliver these training and testing components in your workplace – this avoids transport issues and can be far more cost effective for employers.

If your riggers are not able to produce qualification compliance cards, it could result in substantial fines to employers. Rather than taking the risk, it’s far easier to have your employees undertake the compliance program to receive their compliance cards. You could opt for the four day certification program if that is suitable. Speak to one of our advisers first, they can advise you which program is best suited to your employees.

Anyone who is working in the construction industry as a rigger (or signal person) is now required to meet minimum training standards. There are two standards that can be met, a qualified rigger and a certified rigger. At some stage in the future you can expect industry to lean heavily towards those that are certified rather than those that are just qualified.

If you are currently working in the industry, you can attend a short course that will provide you with the skills, knowledge, and documentation required to prove your abilities as a rigger. Training is both practical and theoretical and includes testing for the issue of either a Qualification Compliance Card or an NCCCO Rigging Level One Certification.

For employers, ATS will qualify or certify your riggers (or signal persons) to meet the new OSHA crane mandate. This will improve the skills, knowledge, and safety consciousness of those personnel and ensure your employees meet the requirements. Ultimately, as an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that all riggers meet the new standards. Failing to do so can have severe consequences, more so if they are involved in an incident that involves injury or death.

By meeting these new standards you know that your workforce is competent in the skills required to work effectively in their roles. You can also feel more secure in the knowledge your employees are working to set safety standards.

If you have not brought your workforce up to date with the new qualification requirements, contact ATS – we can help to organize the training and the issuing of training verification documents. While safety is always of concern, a well-trained workforce is also highly productive, especially when taking into account the reduced amount of time lost through accidents – always a big cost to industry.

One of the most demanding jobs on a construction site is that of a rigger or signal person. While crane operators are responsible for lifting and placing loads, it is the rigger/signal person who directs those crane operators. To be employed as a rigger or a signal person, you now need to meet the new OSHA crane mandated qualifications.

Associated Training Services (ATS) has developed one of the most effective and affordable OSHA compliant rigger/signalperson training programs in the market today. There are three areas that should stand out from that statement – the training is OSHA compliant, the training is effective, and the training is affordable. All are important considerations for those either looking to enter a career as a rigger or signal person, or for those already in the industry looking to become OSHA compliant.

The ATS rigger and signal person certification program:

1. Exceeds OSHA qualification standard for rigging and signal persons.
2. Includes written and practical training and testing.
3. 32 to 36 hours (4 days) depending on number of candidates.
4. Certification issued by National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO).
5. NCCCO Rigging Level One and NCCCO Signal Person Certifications.

This is one of the easiest paths to becoming a certified rigger or signal person. You don’t have to undertake training at one organization while seeking certification in another. You will also find the employers will place a premium on your certification because of the reputation that ATS has earned over the years. In fact, we have been training for over 40 years, a record that few training organizations can boast.

If you are looking to become a certified rigger or signal person, then let ATS show you the easy path to gain that certification.

Riggers and Signal Persons are required to be qualified under OSHA regulations. Becoming qualified is certainly not difficult and at the very least it should be affordable. Associated Training Services take it one step further offering affordable training and testing as either a qualified or certified rigger/signalperson. The question then is which is your best option – being qualified or certified?

The minimum requirement for a rigger/signalperson is holding a qualification compliance card. However, from an employment perspective, being certified by the National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) certainly holds more weight. Employers are always looking to hire the best credentialed workers possible, especially when it comes to safety issues. We also don’t know what the future holds for rigger/signalpersons. The law is constantly changing when it comes to workplace safety and the time may come when all rigger/signalpersons will require certification. We have already seen this with crane operators.

Associated Training Services has a comprehensive certification program for rigger/signalpersons. This program:

1. Exceeds OSHA qualification standard for rigging and signal persons.
2. Includes written and practical training and testing.
3. 32 to 36 hours (4 days) depending on number of candidates.
4. Certification issued by National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO).
5. NCCCO Rigging Level One and NCCCO Signal Person Certifications.

Being certified is an important step when looking at your qualifications. Why stop at meeting the minimum requirements when, with just a little more effort, you can gain certification that reflects your knowledge and skills. If you are looking for affordable NCCCO certification, or a qualification compliance card, contact Associated Training Services – we’re leaders in the field of rigger/signalperson training and testing.

The new OSHA Crane Mandate makes it compulsory for employers to ensure that all riggers meet the minimum standards set down for this position. This means that all riggers must be either qualified or certified as riggers – employing riggers that don’t meet these standards could lead to significant fines. ATS Crane Operator Schools are now conducting training programs that can help employers bring their riggers up to these new standards.

For employers looking to qualify their employees, ATS offers training that:

• Meets OSHA qualification standard for rigging,
• Includes written and practical training and testing,
• Can be completed in 8 to 12 hours depending on number of candidates, and
• Qualifies employees – compliance cards are issued by Associated Training Services upon successful completion.

If you are looking to provide your employees with a certification training program then we offer training that:

• Exceeds OSHA qualification standard for rigging,
• Includes written and practical training and testing,
• Is completed in 32 to 36 hours (4 days) depending on number of candidates,
• Certifies employees – certification issued by National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO), and
• Provides NCCCO Rigging Level One Certifications.

Safety is the primary aim of this new standard and it has been introduced because of the number of accidents that have occurred in recent years. The aim is to reduce the number of accidents, in particular the number of deaths and serious injury that occurs in construction each year.

To assist employers to quickly update their employees’ skills, ATS can arrange to deliver rigger training and testing at your workplace if required. This can make training much easier for your employees as they are on familiar soil and around equipment they see and use on a daily basis. This new mandate is not an option – it’s compulsory. If you require help to ensure your employees comply, contact us now – we’re ready to help.

Late last year the rules and regulations related to persons working in crane and derrick rigging or signaling positions were changed. While these are federal changes, there are state laws and regulations that must also meet or exceed these requirements. These regulations have been changed to try an prevent accidents, injuries, and deaths that have been prevalent in the industry over the years. According to the official website:

It is anticipated that this final standard will prevent 22 fatalities and 175 non-fatal injuries each year.

While that may not sound like a lot of deaths or injuries, the economic and social affects of those deaths and injuries can be huge – especially to the families involved. The final standard addresses issues such as the certification of crane and derrick operators and the qualification of those working in rigging or signaling. What is important to note is that it is an employer’s obligation to ensure that those working in these jobs are either certified or qualified, depending on the federal or state laws that apply.

For those working in the industry, or proposing to work in the industry, undertaking formal training in these areas is vital. While federal rules have set minimum standards, some states have exceeded those rules and put in place more stringent regulations so it advisable to seek the most comprehensive training available. You should certainly be looking for training programs that exceed the minimum requirement.

ATS Crane Operator Schools now offer OSHA Compliant Rigging & Signal Person training. Our standards are purposely set higher than the minimum to ensure that students receive comprehensive training that meets the requirements nationwide. If you are working in the industry, or are considering working in this industry, contact us for more information on this training program.