The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently scheduled an informal public hearing to discuss OSHA’s proposed rule to extend the compliance date for the crane operator certification requirement and the existing phase-in requirement that employers ensure that their operators are qualified to operate the equipment. The hearing will be held May 19, 2014, in Washington, D.C.

On Feb. 10, 2014, OSHA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to extend the deadline for operator certification by three years to Nov. 10, 2017, and to extend the existing employer duties for the same period. The public had 30 days to submit comments on this issue. The comment period closed on March 12, 2014. The agency received 60 comments from the public in response to the NPRM, one of which requested a hearing.

The purpose of the hearing is to gather additional information related to whether OSHA should extend the requirement by three years or not at all.

The public hearing will be held at 9:30 a.m., Monday, May 19 in the auditorium of the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20210. Individuals who wish to testify must submit a notice of intention to appear by April 25. Submissions may be made electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, by mail or facsimile. See the Federal Register noticefor submission details.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.