The International Sign Association’s updated Mobile Crane Operator Safety Certification Training, which begins in January, will offer courses in more than 40 cities throughout 2011. In addition, each training course immediately will be followed by testing conducted by The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO).
The training and certification program is ISA’s way of helping the sign industry become compliant with OSHA’s new Cranes and Derricks in Construction Rule 29 CFR Part 1926, which was issued in August of this year. Among other initiatives, the OSHA rule mandates that every crane operator be certified within four years, and also requires employers to pay for certification training.
“By offering an extensive lineup of courses, ISA is ensuring that crane operators in our industry are well trained and meet these certification requirements,” said Tracey Cook, ISA Director of Education and Communications. “Our goal is to provide these courses in areas that are centrally located so that receiving the certification is as convenient as possible. These first trainings are scheduled towards that end.”
Training even is available in conjunction with the ISA International Sign Expo 2011, held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in April. Training fees are $349 for ISA members and $549 for non-members. Non-members who register and complete the program will receive one year of ISA membership with their paid registration. In addition, certification fees are $195 for the written exam and $60 for the practical exam.
The new OSHA rules are designed to address the four main causes of worker death and injury: electrocution, being crushed by parts of the equipment, being struck by the equipment/load, and falls.
In addition to preventing injuries on the jobsite, certification also may bring a reduction in Workers’ Compensation costs. Companies should check with their insurance providers to determine if they qualify.
To register for the courses, or to learn more about Sign Expo 2011, visit www.signs.org/cranetraining. Because class size is limited, note that some courses may sell out quickly.
The lineup of courses follows:
Jan 19-22, 2011: Libertyville, IL
Jan 26-29: San Diego, CA
Feb 2-5: Phoenix, AZ
Feb 9-12: Austin, TX
Feb 16-19: Tampa, FL
Feb 23-26: Birmingham, AL
Mar 2-5: Baton Rouge, LA
Mar 2-5: Bunkie, LA
Mar 9-12: Jackson, MS
Mar 16-19: Baltimore, MD
Mar 23-26: Atlanta, GA
Mar 30-Apr 2: Pierre, SD
Apr 6-9: Columbus, OH
Apr 13-16: Greenville, SC
Apr 20-23: Pittsburgh, PA
Apr 27-30: Las Vegas, NV (coincides with ISA International Sign Expo 2011)
May 4-7: New Bedford, MA
May 11-14: San Francisco, CA
May 18-21: Billings, MT
May 25-28: Kansas City, KS
June 1-4: Syracuse, NY
June 8-11: Nashville, TN
June 15-18: Greensboro, NC
June 22-25: Colorado Springs, CO
June 29-July 2: Seattle, WA
July 13-16: Portland, OR
July 20-23: St. Cloud, MN
July 27-30: Madison, WI
Aug 3-6: Chicago, IL
Aug 10-13: Des Moines, IA
Aug 17-20: Indianapolis, IN
Aug 24-27: Little Rock, AR
Aug 31-Sep 3: Hartford, CT
Sept 7-10: Oklahoma City, OK
Sept 14-17: Lincoln, NE
Sept 21-24: Dallas, TX
Oct 5-8: Bangor, ME
Oct 12-15: Charlottesville, VA
Oct 19-22: Reno, NV
Oct 26-29: St. Louis, MO
Nov 2-5: Miami, FL
Nov 16-19: Boise, ID
Nov 30-Dec 3: Mobile, AL
Dec 7-10: Lansing, MI
Dec 14-17: Albuquerque, NM
