The Value of NCCCO Certification and Crane Operator Training

It stands to reason that operating a crane is no small feat. The crane’s ability to lift a heavy load, swing it in any direction, raise it high overhead, and deliver it safely to the designated spot primarily depends skill of its operator.

A single miscalculation by the crane operator could result in damage to life and property, not to mention lost time and the possibility of litigation. As such, the proficiency of a crane operator to do his job well is crucial to the successful completion of the project.

At H. Brown, our safety and training programs includes every requirement for working with all types of cranes in a variety of industries including oilfield, petrochemical, utilities, construction, demolition, and others.

We follow very high standards in safety and all our operators are NCCCO – National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators – certified.

NCCCO Training Improves Safety

Established in January 1995, NCCCO administers a nationwide program of certifications designed to reduce the number of accidents and deaths. The organization, a 501(c)6 non-profit, sets standards for the knowledge and skills required to operate a crane safely.

While NCCCO does not conduct training itself (that is handled through third-party providers), it establishes fair and reliable examinations to test crane operators.

There is clear evidence that certification can decrease the number of accidents, and save lives and property.

For instance, according to The Crane School, an NCCCO certification testing company, the Province of Ontario instituted a certification program in 1979 requiring more thorough training of crane operators. The net result has been fewer injuries and fatalities and an improvement in overall safety records.

Crane-related fatalities and injuries in California declined sharply after more than four years of training and testing that produced over 10,000 certified crane operators.

CCO certified crane operators have to adhere to a strict code of ethics that says they will place the safety and welfare of others associated with their work above all other considerations. In addition, they cannot use any substance that would impair their ability to operate the crane safely. Any violation can lead to loss of certification.

What NCCCO Training Means

The Crane School says that, in order to receive certification, operators must “demonstrate skills and knowledge that subject matter experts have judged necessary for safe crane operation.”

Operators carrying CCO certification cards have demonstrated that they possess a “fundamental knowledge necessary for the safe operation of cranes – without relying on subjective…judgment,” said Crane.

For our customers, the fact our operators have received training and CCO certification means that, not only are the chances of an accident occurring greatly reduced, their ability to handle jobs quickly, efficiently and safely can save time and money.

NCCCO Program Key Facts

The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) is an independent, not-for-profit organization incorporated in January 1995 to establish and administer a nationwide program for the certification of crane operators.

NCCCO has administered over 1,200,000 written and practical examinations and issued more than 420,000 certifications in all 50 states, ensuring that a significant portion of crane operators throughout the nation are informed, trained, and qualified.

NCCCO programs meet federal OSHA regulations and American National Standard ASME B30.

The CCO national certification programs are recognized by the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration as meeting OSHA’s requirements for crane operator competency. This formal agreement between OSHA and NCCCO provides significant benefits for employers who adopt the CCO certification program.

The benefits of NCCCO’s nationwide certification programs include reduced risk of loss, fewer accidents, more consistent training, and expanded job opportunities for those who work in and around cranes.

CCO certification is designed to assure both industry and the general public that employees working with cranes are skilled and knowledgeable.

A CCO certification card is issued to those who meet eligibility requirements and pass written and practical exams demonstrating fundamental knowledge of and skills in safe operations.

NCCCO has the support of a diverse group of crane-using industries, including construction, utilities, energy, steel erection, crane rental, automotive, petrochemicals, and pulp/paper.

NCCCO activities center on these three specific areas:
Validating knowledge and proficiency
Developing and administering examinations to test that knowledge and proficiency
Issuing certification to those who meet the appropriate criteria

NCCCO programs are:

Examinations are administered on demand at sites across the U.S. Tests are available in both a traditional paper-and-pencil format and via computer-based testing (CBT).

In addition to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, NCCCO also works closely with other U.S. federal agencies including the Department of Defense, the Department of Education, the Department of Energy, Department of the Navy, the U.S. Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

NCCCO coordinates its testing services through all major industry groups, and is formally recognized by many including:

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