New Crane Standard B167-08!!!

Well it has been a number of years, 2002, since Canadian Standards Association (CSA) decided a revision was necessary for the second edition of the crane standard, entitled “Safety Standard for Maintenance and Inspection of Overhead Cranes, Gantry Cranes, Monorails, Hoists and Trolleys B167-96”.

This revision, B167-08, now includes crane design and classification as well as crane operation including operator qualifications and training requirements which are all components not covered by previous editions B167-96 or B167-64.

As well this new standard incorporates selected material from ISO and ASME standards. In particular the crane operation requirements of this new standard directly reference the operator training in ISO 9926-1.

Although it has been a long time coming, the really good news is that the standard is now (February 2009) available to purchase online from the CSA website (see our link).

The ISO 9926-1 can also be downloaded for a cost of US$43.00 at www.global.ihs.com.

In January we announced the introduction of our new Industrial Hoisting, Rigging and Crane Operator Training program which we are pleased to say was designed to meet the requirements of the new CSA B167-08 and the ISO9926-1.

The revised standard requires employers to maintain a record of training (ROT) for each operator that includes an expiry date by which time refresher training should be completed. It then states that operators should participate in refresher training on the theory portion of the course prior to this expiry date. This should be followed by both theory and practical refresher training prior to the next (second) expiry date on the ROT. On all future expiry dates the operator should receive theory refresher and on every other expiry date should receive practical refresher training.

It appears to be left up to the employer or the training provider to dictate just what this expiry should be. The CSA standard for Lift Trucks specifies a 3-year period however for some unknown reason this standard does not. It would seem a little obvious that a very similar time period would apply to cranes considering that under our Ontario Industrial Regulation 851 this equipment is all defined as ‘lifting devices’.

At Busch Training Inc. we have decided to use the same 3-year expiry for crane training as we do for lift truck operator training and as well for operators of aerial work platforms.

Again we are very excited about our new program, but we will also be introducing other new and creative material in the very near future.

Watch for future announcements!

April 09 MOL Blitz

The MOL officially announced yesterday on their website that their April Blitz will focus on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) targeting the construction, health care, industrial and mining sectors. Inspectors will be looking at any job tasks or activities that require workers to exert force, fixed or awkward postures or repetition. MDSs are injuries and disorders of the muscles, tendons and nerves that can develop as a result of continued exposure to repetitive work, awkward postures and other factors.

“Musculoskeletal disorders account for almost half of all injuries in which workers need to take time off work in Ontario – resulting in substantial costs to the medical and workers’ compensation system. Ontario and its workplace partners are committed to eliminating all workplace injuries, including those involving MSDs.” - Peter Fonseca, Minister of Labour

Furthermore the MOL statistics show that in 2007, 43% of all lost time injuries involved MSDs, amounting to more than 35,000 injured workers.

What will MOL inspectors look for?

Your first concern should be “does your company have a written policy/procedure/program dealing with MSDs”?

In our commitment to be your Health and Safety provider we are well equipped to assist you with this initial step and can also help you with implementation of your program.

Be prepared for this “Spring Blitz”! 

We can help!

For more information on “Blitzes” use our link to the MOL website and search under “blitzes”.

March 09 MOL Blitz

Did you survive the latest Blitz on forklifts in February?

Many of our clients took advantage of our special offer for lift truck operator training last month and a number had visits from an inspector and were found to be in compliance.

Now in March the inspectors will be focusing on hazards involving construction equipment and materials handling at construction sites. In particular, conditions that could result in workers being struck, or trapped, or crushed by moving equipment or improperly secured building materials.

Thirty-four constructions workers were killed during the 4 year period of 2005 to 2008 due to being struck by or crushed by construction equipment or the material being handled by such equipment. The MOL claims that among the contributing factors were poor training and procedures and inadequate maintenance.

According to the MOL Backgrounder document, Inspectors will focus on:

·         The quality of equipment operators’ training and supervision

·         Adherence to equipment manufacturers’ operating instructions

·         The presence and use of roll-over protection

·         The adequacy of equipment maintenance

·         Proximity tot overhead power lines

·         The adequacy of excavation shoring

·         Worker exposure to carbon monoxide

·         Procedures for handling materials safely, and

·         The protection of workers from being struck by construction equipment or road traffic.

Need help?

We can help!

We can provide you with training covering all of the above topics.

For more information on “Blitzes” use our link to the MOL website and search under “blitzes”.