How safe are cranes?

• Position: TRENDS AND TRANSITIONS - Brief article

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Recent well-publicized construction crane accidents bring the question of safety front and center. Federal regulations require operators to conduct detailed inspections on an annual basis. Operators must also inspect cranes before each use to verify that equipment is safe and working properly.

Fifteen states and six cities have their own licensing requirements for crane operators. And Florida, Iowa, Maryland and Pennsylvania are considering licensing, according to the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators.

STATES THAT LICENSE CRANE OPERATORS

California

Connecticut

Hawaii

Massachusetts

Minnesota

Montana

Nevada

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

Oregon

Rhode Island

Utah

Washington (as of 2010)

West...