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

Private sector employers in New York 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.

Public sector (state and municipal government offices and operations) employers in New York 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 cranes and derricks in construction rules by reference (12 NY Codes, Rules, and Regulations (NYCRR) 800.3).

Operators of cranes and hoisting equipment used in construction, demolition, or excavation work must be licensed to operate such equipment under the state’s operator licensing rules.

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 York Department of Labor's (DOL’s) Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau administers and enforces state occupational safety and health requirements for public sector employers. DOL’s License and Certificate Unit administers the crane operator certification requirements in the state.

Any individual or owner who operates a crane outside New York City must obtain a certificate of competence before operating such equipment.

Note: New York City has adopted its own rules for crane operator certification.

See the state website for more information about crane operator certificate of ...