The US-based crane operator certification company, National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO), has announced that it will issue color-coded CCO cards for operators, riggers, signal persons, crane inspectors, practical examiners, and auditors.
The new policy has been adopted in response to the growth in the range of certification programs offered by the company as well as the need to easily identify qualifications in the field.
In 1996, when NCCCO launched its original Mobile Crane Operator certification program only two CCO credentials were available, one for certified operators and one for the practical examiners who administer the hands-on tests required for certification.
Since then the company has added certifications for tower, overhead and articulating crane operators, and has developed certifications for signal persons, riggers and crane inspectors. NCCCO auditors, who play a critical role in ensuring the continued integrity of the certification programs, will also receive a new card under the new policy.
The operator certification cards will continue to have a black band across the bottom, while the signal person and rigger cards have a green band and crane inspector cards have a blue band. A brown band has been selected for practical examiner cards, while auditor cards will have a red band. The information on the back of the cards has also been tailored to reflect each program's particular requirements.
In total there are nine crane operator designations, three crane inspector designations, two rigger designations, and a signal person designation. New certifications are also being developed for digger derrick operators and lift directors.
NCCCO chairman Kerry Hulse said: "CCO cards are nationally accepted as official proof of certification, and the new cards have been redesigned to meet all federal OSHA and state requirements. The new cards will also make it easier for employers and government authorities to readily determine the qualifications of those working onsite by including details about the certifications, such as the types of signals in which a signalperson is certified."
Executive director, Graham Brent added: "NCCCO's program growth has led to the decision to provide separate cards to each category of NCCCO-affiliated personnel, and the color coding NCCCO has adopted will ensure fast and effective identification of qualifications on the job site."
