Name:           HOLCOMB
Title:          
Organization:   STISCO INC
Date:           20030311
Address1:       
Address2:       
City:           VICTORIA
State:          TX
Zip Code:       77905
Docket Number:  S030
Exhibit Number: 7-11
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Safety Standards for Cranes and Derricks
 
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is planning to establish a Crane and Derrick Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee (C-DAC) under the Negotiated Rulemaking Act (NRA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The Committee will include representatives of parties who would be significantly affected by the final rule. 
 
On July 16, 2002, OSHA published a Federal Register notice of intent to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee (67 FR 46612) and requested nominations for membership. In the current Federal Register notice OSHA is asking for comments on the proposed list of fifty-five nominations.  The list can be found in the complete notice.
 
Please note that you may not attach materials such as studies or journal articles to your electronic comments. If you wish to include such materials, you must submit three copies to the OSHA Docket Office at the address listed above. When submitting such materials to the OSHA Docket Office, clearly identify your electronic comments by name, date, subject, and Docket Number, so that we can attach the materials to your electronic comments.
 
Online comments must be received by March 31, 2003 COB EST.  If you wish to commit online on the proposed list of Committee members, please enter your submission in the box below.  Thank you for your interest in worker safety and health. 
 
I would ask the committee to consider the fact that since the advent of hydraulic cranes, many operators having not participated in an apprentiship program, such as they did when all cranes were friction type only, lack even the basic knowledge needed to identify and eliminate rigging hazards. This, coupled with the fact that most craftworkers are expected to serve as riggers without any formal rigging training either, is basically a recipe for disaster. I have been training riggers aqnd heavy equipment operators for two decades, and seldom run across an operator possessing the knowledge about rigging that he should have. Most craftworkers are in the same boat. OSHA requires a competent rigger at the hook, but that requirement is seldom met. I would suggest mandatory and standardized rigger training for everyone that serves in the construction industry.Thank YouSincerely;Hank Holcomb, MS, CELS, CSSS, CECM
 
