Frequently Asked Questions (Complete List)

Yes, when the applicable DOT physical examination requirements satisfy the alternative provided by the California regulation.

Cal/OSHA specifically allows the physical examination requirement to be satisfied using the applicable U.S. DOT physical examination requirements contained in 49 CFR §§391.41 through 391.49, rather than the specified ASME B30.5-2000 criteria.

For more information Crane Operator Physical & Medical Requirements in California.

Generally, yes.

The referenced ASME criteria permit adequate hearing to be achieved with or without a hearing aid.

The important consideration is whether the operator can hear adequately to meet the demands of the operation.

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Generally, yes.

The ASME vision criteria incorporated into California’s regulations expressly allow the required visual acuity to be achieved with or without corrective lenses.

Wearing glasses or contact lenses is therefore not, by itself, a disqualification.

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Not necessarily.

Crane operation is safety-sensitive work, so certain medical conditions can require additional evaluation. However, the existence of a medical condition should not automatically be treated as a blanket disqualification unless the applicable standard requires it.

The ASME framework referenced by California recognizes that specialized clinical or medical judgment may sometimes be appropriate when an individual does not meet a particular qualification but the condition may not affect safe crane operation.

Individual medical qualification questions should therefore be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.

For more information Crane Operator Physical & Medical Requirements in California.

Yes, for crane operators covered by California’s crane operator certification requirements.

Cal/OSHA Title 8 §5006.1 applies to covered mobile and tower cranes in general industry, while §5006.2 establishes operator training, certification, and evaluation requirements for covered cranes and derricks used in construction.

Under both regulations, a certificate of competency may be issued only after the operator meets several requirements, including passing a physical examination.

For more information read Crane Operator Physical & Medical Requirements in California

Not necessarily.

California’s crane regulations contain important exceptions and different requirements depending upon the equipment and type of work being performed.

For example, §5006.1 contains exceptions (read more on crane operator exemptions in California) for certain smaller mobile cranes, qualifying electric line trucks and marine terminal operations. Section 5006.2 also contains exceptions for certain equipment used in construction, including equipment based upon crane type, capacity and how it is being used.

For more information Crane Operator Physical & Medical Requirements in California.

Federal OSHA’s construction crane rules under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC require covered crane operators to be properly trained, certified or licensed, and evaluated by their employer.

For more information Crane Operator Physical & Medical Requirements in California.

California crane operators covered by these certification requirements must recertify every five years.

An operator who has at least 1,000 hours of documented experience operating the specific type of covered crane during the immediately preceding certification period may not have to repeat the hands-on examination during recertification, provided the operator meets the applicable physical examination, substance abuse and written examination requirements.

In other words, sufficient experience may eliminate the need for another practical examination during recertification, but it does not eliminate the physical examination requirement.

For more information Crane Operator Physical & Medical Requirements in California.

Yes, for operators subject to California’s certification requirements.

In addition to the physical examination, Cal/OSHA requires operators to pass a substance abuse test.

For more information Crane Operator Physical & Medical Requirements in California.

This article will cover:

• Who Can Perform the Crane Operator Physical?
• Can a DOT Physical Be Used?
• Is the California Crane Physical an NCCCO/CCO Requirement?
• Does Federal OSHA Require a Crane Operator Physical?
• What Is ASME B30.5?
• How Often Is a Physical Examination Required?
• Does Every Crane Operator in California Fall Under These Requirements?
• Does a Medical Condition Automatically Prevent Someone From Becoming a Crane Operator?

California’s medical examination requirement comes from California law — not simply from holding a CCO certification.

Current CCO Mobile Crane Operator eligibility requirements include:

• Being at least 18 years old
• Compliance with CCO’s Substance Abuse Policy
• Compliance with CCO’s Code of Ethics
• Passing the required written examination(s)
• Passing the required practical examination(s)

For more information Crane Operator Physical & Medical Requirements in California.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B30.5 standard addresses safety requirements for mobile and locomotive cranes.

ASME B30.5-2000, Chapter 5-3.1.2(a)(1-5, 7, 8).

ASME B30.5 has been revised many times since 2000, and newer editions contain updated requirements. However, when determining what California’s §§5006.1 and 5006.2 require, operators and employers should look to the specific edition and provisions incorporated by California, rather than assuming the newest ASME edition automatically replaces the edition named in the regulation.

For more information Crane Operator Physical & Medical Requirements in California.

The ASME criteria incorporated by California also address physical (i.e. Seizures or Loss of Physical Control) or emotional conditions that could interfere with safe crane operation.

For more details see Crane Operator Physical & Medical Requirements in California

California specifically incorporates portions of ASME B30.5-2000 into its crane operator certification regulations.

The criteria generally evaluate the following:

1. Vision
2. Ability to Distinguish Colors
3. Hearing
4. Strength, Endurance & Agility
5. Depth Perception, Field of Vision and Coordination

For more details see Crane Operator Physical & Medical Requirements in California

The regulations state that the physical examination may be conducted by a physician or other licensed healthcare professional, giving examples such as:

• Physician
• Physician assistant
• Nurse practitioner

For more information please see Crane Operator Physical & Medical Requirements in California