Maryland Cranes and Derricks (Construction): What you need to know

All private and public (state and local government) sector employers in Maryland that own or operate cranes and derricks in construction are regulated under state occupational safety and health rules.

The state has adopted its own licensing requirements for crane operators in construction (COMAR 09.12.26.01 to 09.12.26.13). The state rules include additional requirements for crane operator trainees, signal persons, and riggers.

The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Division of Labor and Industry administers and enforces the crane rules for construction in private and public sector workplaces.

Operators of a mobile crane, a tower crane, or a derrick must either hold a crane operator certificate from an organization accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies or American Nationals Standards Institute, or be trained and pass a written examination in accordance with the requirements listed in the regulation. See the state regulations at http://www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/cranes/craneregs.shtml for more information.

An operator of a tower crane must have a certificate of competence earned through any organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute or the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and that states the holder of the certificate demonstrates knowledge of and training in safe crane operating procedures.

An employer must maintain a written record of the training for each crane operator, signal person, rigger, and crane operator trainee. All training records ...