Borough of Merchantville, NJ Crane Operation and Licensing

Certification from the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators or any other organization found by the Board to offer an equivalent testing and certification program meeting the requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME B30.5 and the accreditation requirements of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

COMMISSION

The Commissioner of Labor.

CRANE

Shall be defined in accordance with N.J.S.A. 45:26-1 through 45:26-17 (Licensure of Crane Operators Act), hereafter referred to as the Crane Operator Licensure Act and the 1926 OSHA Crane and Derricks in Construction also known as OSHA Subpart CC.

CRANE OPERATOR

An individual engaged in the operation of a crane.

CRANE RELATED EXPERIENCE

Operating, inspecting, training and maintenance experience acceptable to the board.

PRACTICAL EXAMINATION

An examination demonstrating the applicant's ability to safely operate a particular category or type of crane. Practical examinations shall be conducted for the following crane categories: the lattice boom crawler cranes (LBC) lattice boom truck cranes (LBT), telescopic boom cranes (TLL, Swing Cab) & (TSS, Fixed Cab), Tower cranes and Overhead cranes.

§ 18A-2 General Requirements.

Five (5) days before any crane operator, contractor or other person or company initiates the use of a crane within the Borough of Merchantville, a permit shall be obtained. In emergent situations the Construction Code Official may waive this requirement in his or her own discretion if the operator meets the balance of the requirements of this chapter.

The permit will be maintained with the Borough of Merchantville as well as with the crane operator at all times; a copy of the permit shall be produced on the work site when requested.

The following documents must first be provided to the Borough of Merchantville in order to be granted a permit:

(1)

Copy of crane operator certificate from one of the following organizations:

(a)

National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO); or

(b)

Operating Engineers Certification Program (OECP); or

(c)

Crane Institute of America Certification;

(2)

New Jersey Crane License;

(3)

Current Medical Examiner's Card;

(4)

A copy of the most recent and current proof of inspection; (Crane owner);

(5)

Insurance required as follows:

(a)

Bodily Injury:

[i]

For any one (1) person in the amount of $500,000.00;

[ii]

For any occurrence in the amount of $1,000,000.00.

(b)

Property Damage:

[i]

For any one (1) accident in the amount of $500,000.00;

[ii]

For any aggregate of occurrences in the amount of $2,000,000.00.

(6)

Proof that crane operator submits to a random drug testing program;

(7)

Proof of completion of Signal Person Qualification or Certification course;

(8)

Upon receipt of a properly completed application and compliance with the requirements of this section, the Construction Code Official shall issue or deny the requested permit within five (5) business days. If the application is denied the reasons for the denial are furnished to the application in writing.

§ 18A-3 Registration of cranes; crane inspection; licensure of crane operators pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:26-7.

No person shall engage in the operation of a crane, offer himself for employment as a crane operator or otherwise act, attempt to act, present or represent himself as a crane operator unless licensed as such under the provisions of this chapter.

A crane operator's license shall be valid only in conjunction with a current certification and only in the specialty or specialties for which the crane operator is certified. The specialties are lattice boom crawler crane (LBC), lattice boom truck crane (LBT), telescopic boom cranes (TLL, Swing Cab) & (TSS, Fixed Cab), Tower cranes and Overhead cranes.

To be eligible for a license as a crane operator in the Borough of Merchantville, an applicant shall fulfill the following requirements:

(1)

Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;

(2)

Receive certification from the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators or any other organization found by the board to offer an equivalent testing and certification program meeting the requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME B30.5 and the accreditation requirements of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies;

(3)

Have at least 1,000 hours of crane-related experience; and

(4)

Maintain a current medical examiner's certification card.

The crane operator should reside in the Borough of Merchantville. If not, the crane operator should reside in Camden County. The crane operator shall reside in New Jersey.

§ 18A-4 Fee schedule.

The permit fee for each crane shall be five hundred ($500.00) dollars. Each permit is valid for sixty (60) days and may be extended and/or renewed provided that compliance with the requirements of this chapter continues to be met. Fee for an extended or renewal permit is two hundred, fifty ($250.00) dollars for each sixty-day extension.

§ 18A-5 Notification of accident or safety issue - required.

The owner of the building shall immediately notify the Borough of Merchantville of every accident causing personal injury or damage to property involving a construction crane covered by this chapter and shall afford the municipal official every facility for investigating such accident. When an accident involves the failure, breakage, damage or destruction of any part of the apparatus, it shall be unlawful to use such device until after an examination by the Borough of Merchantville is made and approval of the equipment for continued use is granted. It shall be the duty of the Borough of Merchantville to make a prompt examination into the cause of the accident and to enter a full and complete report thereof in the records of the Borough of Merchantville. Such records shall be open for public inspection during regular business hours.

§ 18A-6 Safety equipment - required.

All crane equipment shall be kept in safe working condition at all times by the owner and licensee.

If any safety or operational aid used or required to be used in connection with the operation of a crane is not working properly, the person operating such crane shall immediately shut down the crane until such time that the required safety or operational aid is repaired or replaced and the crane is restored to property working order.

Any and all safety requirements promulgated by the Mayor and/or Borough Council of the Borough of Merchantville must be adhered to at all times.

Every crane shall be thoroughly inspected by a competent designated employee or authorized agent of the owner or lessee if such mobile crane, tower crane or derrick at intervals not exceeding one month. Such inspection shall include but not be limited to all blocks, shackles, sheaves, wire rope, connectors, and various devices on the master boom, controls and breaking mechanisms.

A written, dated and signed record of each such inspection shall be completed by the competent designated employee or authorized agent who made the inspection. The most recent record of such inspection shall be posted inside the cab of such crane and shall be filed with the Borough of Merchantville. Attached to such record of inspection shall be a written designation naming the competent employee or authorized agent. Such attached designation shall be signed by the owner or lessee of such.

Every crane shall be inspected before being erected or operated for the first time on any job.

Adjustments and repairs to cranes shall be made only by competent designated persons.

§ 18A-7 Administration; enforcement.

The Mayor and/or Borough Council may issue rules and regulations for the administration of the provisions of this chapter.

The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the Construction Code Official or any other law enforcement officer within the Borough of Merchantville.

§ 18A-8 Unsafe cranes.

Any crane which is or hereafter becomes unsafe or otherwise dangerous to human life or public safety, or which involves inadequate maintenance shall be deemed in unsafe condition by the Municipal Engineer. All unsafe cranes shall be taken down or removed or made safe, as the Municipal Engineer deems necessary and as provided for in this section.

The Municipal Engineer shall cause a report to be filed on an unsafe crane. The report shall state the nature of the unsafe condition.

If an unsafe condition is found, the Municipal Engineer shall serve on the owner, agent or person in control of the crane, a written notice that describes the condition being unsafe and specifies the required repairs or improvements to be made to abate the unsafe condition. Such notice shall require the person thus notified to declare immediately to the Municipal Engineer exceptions or rejection of the terms of the order.

Such order shall be deemed properly served if a copy is delivered to the owner personally, or sent by certified or registered mail addressed to the owner at the last known address with the return receipt requested. If a certified or registered letter is returned showing that the letter has not been delivered, a copy shall be posted in a conspicuous place in or on the structure affected by such notice. Service of such notice in the foregoing manner upon the owner's agent or upon the person responsible for the crane shall constitute service of notice upon the owner.

The equipment determined to be unsafe by the Municipal Engineer may be restored to a safe condition. To the extent that repairs, alterations or additions are made during restoration of such equipment, such repairs, alterations or additions shall comply with all applicable codes.

Any person who refuses or neglects to comply with the requirements of an order to abate an unsafe condition shall be subject to a fine in accordance with Section 18A-9 of this chapter.

§ 18A-9 Violations; penalties.

Any person who operates a crane without meeting the requirements of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder shall be subject to a fine of not less than one thousand ($1,000.00) dollars and no more than ten thousand ($10,000.00) dollars for each violation. Each day of illegal operation shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.

Any person or company who employs an unlicensed person as a crane operator or who permits or directs an unlicensed person to operate a crane shall be subject to a fine of not less than two thousand ($2,000.00) dollars nor more than twenty thousand ($20,000.00) dollars for each violation. Each day of illegal operation shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.