Crane certification in marine construction

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

June 14, 1982

MEMORANDUM FOR: FRANK STRASHEIM
Acting Regional Administrator - Seattle

ATTENTION: JOHN GRANCHI
R. L. BEESTON

THRU: JOHN MILES
Director, Office of Field Coordination

FROM: PATRICK R. TYSON
Director, Federal Compliance and State Programs

SUBJECT: Clarification on the Applicability of 1915.115(a) and [1918.66(a)(1)] in Marine Construction

References: (1) Granchi Memorandum, dated November 2, 1981, title, Request for Clarification on the Applicability of 29 CFR 1918, Longshoring Standards to Marine Construction 1926.605(a)(1) Equipment Repair; (2) Beeston Memorandum, dated July 9, 1981, titled, Request for Clarification on Applicability of 1918 Longshore Certification Standards to Marine Construction Cranes.

[Note: Both memoranda referenced above have been superseded by the July 15, 1982 STD 03-13-002 (formerly STD 3-13.2) titled 29 CFR 1926.605(a)(1) as Applied to Marine Construction and are no longer available]

The Office of Compliance Programming intends to issue an OSHA Instruction to clarify the application of the subject standards to Marine Construction Operations. In addition, the Office of Safety Standards will modify 1926.605(a) to clarify its purpose and scope.

The intent of 29 CFR 1926.605 applies only to marine construction operations conducted over the water. It was never intended that construction cranes or other construction lifting devices be certificated under 29 CFR 1918 when this equipment is being used in a construction operation. However, if a construction employer is using lifting devices such as cranes to load or discharge "cargo" and the operation fits the definition of Longshoring as stated under [29 CFR 1918.2] then the cranes must be certificated as required by [29 CFR 1918.66].

[Corrected 05/28/2004]