OSHA’S Type and Capacity RequirementThis article originally appeared in Crane & Rigging Hot Line, and is reprinted here with permission by the author.Lately there’s been a lot of chatter in the industry about OSHA requiring operators to be certified by type and capacity.  This particular requirement was included in the new Cranes and Derricks in Construction rule when it was issued in 2010.  It shouldn’t be a surprise to those in the industry, so why all the fuss?In 2003, OSHA formed a committee to develop the new Cranes and Derricks standard which would replace CFR 1926.550.  This standard surely needed an update because other than the addition of language related to hoisting personnel, which was added in the late 1980s, there hadn’t been any changes to the rule since its inception.OSHA 1926 Subpart CC, Final Rule was finally issued in August 2010, not only helping the industry to catch up to current industry standards, but going even further in some areas, such as its requirements for crane operator certification.  Operators must be certified by November 10, 2014 through an accredited program and by type and capacity.