Legislation establishes a state board and licensing procedures
Following years of hard work to help create safer environments for crane operators throughout Pennsylvania, Rep. Mario J. Civera, Jr. (R-Upper Darby) today announced the state House has adopted his measure to establish a state board to oversee crane use and require licensing for all crane operators. The legislation, House Bill 647, will now head to Gov. Ed Rendell for his signature.
“We have tried for a long time to get this legislation passed, and I am very pleased with today’s vote,” Civera said. “Over the last several months we have seen an alarming number of tragic crane accidents throughout the country. We do not want to see the next accident here in Pennsylvania, and this legislation will now help us better ensure that does not occur.”
House Bill 647 was approved by the state House by an overwhelming vote of 180-19. The plan unanimously passed the state Senate.
Civera’s plan would create a seven-member State Board of Crane Operators within the Department of State. Licensing requirements would mandate all operators be properly certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators or other organizations approved by the board.
Additionally, the bill requires all crane operators to be at least 18 years old and authorizes licensees to operate only those cranes for which they are certified. The legislation excludes some crane-related machines, such as those used in coal mining operations, as well as forklifts, digger derricks and bucket trucks.
Pennsylvania currently does not require individuals to be licensed in order to operate a crane. If the governor moves to sign the bill into law, Pennsylvania would join 15 other states and six cities across the nation that currently license crane operators.
“Everyone who supported this bill has worked very hard to help move it to the governor’s desk,” Civera said. “We all knew this was a serious safety issue, and we knew something needed to be done. Now, Pennsylvania will offer crane operators and workers statewide better protection from unnecessary tragedies and that is something of which we should be very proud.”
Rep. Mario J. Civera, Jr.
164th District
House Appropriations Committee, Chairman
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(610) 853-4115
(717) 787-3850
www.MarioCivera.com
Contact: Todd Brysiak
Communications Coordinator
(717) 787-1711