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

Private sector employers in New Jersey are regulated under federal occupational safety rules for cranes and derricks in construction; the state does not have a federally approved occupational safety and health regulatory program for private sector employers. However, operators of cranes and hoisting equipment used in construction, demolition, or excavation work must be licensed to operate such equipment under the state’s licensing rules. Every crane operator apprentice must carry a valid certificate of registration for a license.

Public sector (state and municipal government offices and operations) employers in New Jersey are regulated under state rules for cranes and derricks in construction; the state has a federally approved occupational safety and health regulatory program for public sector employers. The state has adopted the federal rules by reference (NJ Admin. Code (NJAC) 12:100-5.2).

Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) administers and enforces workplace safety and health rules for crane and derrick operations in private sector workplaces. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) administers the crane and derrick requirements for public sector construction operations in the state. LWD’s Office of Public Safety Compliance administers the crane operator licensing requirements.

Overview of requirements. Anyone who operates a crane must have a valid state crane operator’s license available at the site of crane operation and readily available for inspection by state agency officials. A crane operator’s license is valid only in conjunction with a current ...