Process Begins to Develop New Safety Standard for Cranes and Derricks

The committee will function as a part of OSHA's rulemaking process to revise the existing standards for cranes and derricks in construction. Members of the committee will identify key issues, evaluate their importance, analyze the information necessary to resolve the issues and work to reach a consensus on the coverage and the substance of a proposed rule. If the committee reaches a consensus on a proposed rule, the proposed regulatory text will be submitted to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health and then be published for public comment.

The advisory committee can have up to 25 members and a facilitator who will chair the meetings. OSHA will be a member of the committee.

OSHA published a Federal Register notice in July 2002 requesting comments on establishing a cranes and derricks negotiated rulemaking committee. There was broad support for using negotiated rulemaking to update the standard and nearly all commenters supported the establishment of the negotiated rulemaking advisory committee.