Representative Adriano Espaillat Calls for Modernization of Crane and Derrick Safety Standards
Member Urges OSHA to Prioritize Employee Safety by Overhauling Standards and Practices
NEW YORK, NY – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) sent a letter to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) urging the consideration of crane and derrick safety standard modernization.
“The recently proposed amendments by the Department of Labor to increase safety standards of the use of cranes and derricks in construction sites fall short and fail to consider the use of new, innovative, and safe technology that has the potential to help save lives,” said Rep. Espaillat. “In 2020, there were more than 1,000 crane violations in the nation, and it is critical OSHA implement crane and derrick technological advancements when amending current safety standards. Doing so compliments the recent implementation of the revised certification requirements within the OSHA Cranes & Derricks in Construction Standard put forth by the Coalition for Crane Operator Safety (CCOS). It is my hope that my call to the Department of Labor will encourage further conversations about the overall modernization of safety standards that prioritize employee safety and aim to prevent accidents at these sites.”
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's passage marked the beginning of a new wave of public infrastructure, increasing construction projects within our districts. Additionally, the construction industry faces increased labor demand with an estimated 650,000 additional workers needed to meet industry demand this year.
As such, there will be a significant uptick in construction equipment usage, particularly of cranes and derricks, and a need to not only keep up with this uptick but continue to prioritize worker safety. Although significant progress has been made to implement and revise certification requirements within the OSHA Cranes and Derricks construction standards, consideration for emerging technologies has not been considered by OSHA, despite the use of such technologies in the industry.
“It’s critical we meet this moment and bring federal attention to technologies that will allow us to strengthen our infrastructure, reduce job-site risks, and improve efficacy,” he concluded.
Read the letter from Rep. Espaillat in its entirety here.