What Licenses or Certifications Are Required Of Offshore Crane Operators?
There is a difference between licensing and certification. A license is required for the operator to work as a crane operator in a particular state. Currently there are several states that require a state crane operator license. They are California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia. State law extends 12 miles outward from the shore in most states. While there may no license required for an offshore oil rig crane operator, Federal OSHA maintains jurisdiction over cranes that are mounted on barges or ships that are in “navigable” waters. OSHA regulations change constantly and being certified by one of the major associations, such as NCCCO is a good idea. Most employers nowadays, require their crane operators to be certified and take refresher courses throughout their career. This is necessary to reduce the liability of the company should an incident occur
