512 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 16-22

Sections

16-3. Personnel Required Qualification/Training.

Physical Qualifications/Examination

Operator physical examinations are mandatory every three years or as required by the employer, confirmed by ENG Form 6209.
Class II crane/hoisting equipment operators are exempt, except when hoisting personnel, necessitating a physical examination.
LHE maintenance, inspection, and repair personnel are exempt from crane operator physical requirements.

Government Drug Testing Program

All government employees must comply with AR 600-85.

Crane Operator Certification and Qualification

Operators can be certified by a nationally accredited organization or by a USACE designated in-house trainer, with qualifications documented on ENG Form 6209.
Certification by USACE in-house trainers is not transferable and valid for 5 years.
USACE must maintain current lists of operators, training records, and equipment each operator is qualified to use.

Signal Person Qualifications

Signal persons must be qualified by a third-party or employer’s Qualified Evaluator, understanding signal types and demonstrating competency through written and practical tests.
Qualifications by an employer’s evaluator are not transferable to other employers.
Signal persons must be retrained and reassessed if they fail to meet qualification requirements.

Powered Industrial Trucks (PITs)/Telehandlers

Operators, riggers, and those involved in operations must have documented proof of qualifications.

Specific Operation Training

Operators of excavators with special attachments must receive training specific to those operations.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

16-3. How often must mandatory operator physical examinations occur?

annually or as required by the contractor

every three years or as required by the employer

every five years or as required by ENG Form 6209

every two years at a minimum

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 16-3 (f.–k.).

16-3. Personnel Required Qualification/Training. (f.–k.).

f.  Physical Qualifications/Examination.  Operator physical examinations are required every three years or more frequently if their employer deems it necessary.  The employer must complete and sign ENG Form 6209 (Certificate of Compliance for Load Handling Equipment and Rigging) (see para 16-10.b) that states that the operator received a physical examination and meets the physical qualifications of the ASME B30.5 standards for the specific type of equipment.  Contractors will submit the signed CoC to the KO or COR for acceptance prior to allowing the operator to use the equipment. (16-3.f)

Note. Operators of Class II cranes/hoisting equipment are exempt from the Physical Qualifications Examination requirements, unless this equipment is used to hoist/lift personnel.  Hoisting/lifting personnel is a Critical Lift activity and requires a physical examination for the operator.  Train all Class II operators hoisting personnel on the specific requirements for hoisting personnel.

Note. LHE maintenance, inspection, and repair personnel covered by paragraph 16-3 are exempt from the crane operator physical requirements identified in this chapter.

g.  Government Drug Testing Program.  All government employees will follow AR
600-85.  (16-3.g)

h.  Crane Operator Certification and Qualification Options.  The following two options are available for the certification and qualification of crane operators. Contractor must use mandatory ENG Form 6209 (Certificate of Compliance for Load Handling Equipment and Rigging) to designate each operator for the equipment to be used. (See para 16-10.b)  (16-3.h)

(1)  Crane operators are trained, tested, and certified by a nationally accredited testing organization. If this option is chosen, the employer is still responsible for designating in writing that the operator is qualified to operate a particular type, capacity, and configuration of equipment.

(2)  Crane operators are trained, tested, and qualified by a USACE designated in- house crane trainer.  If this option is chosen, the employer is still responsible for designating in writing that the operator is qualified to operate a particular type, capacity, and configuration of equipment.  Certification and qualification under this option is:

(a)  Not portable.  Such a certification and qualification is applicable only where the operator is employed by and operates the equipment for USACE.

(b)  Is valid for 5 years from date of issuance.

Note. Each USACE activity or operating project must maintain a current list of operators, complete crane and hoisting equipment training records for each operator, and a list of all equipment that each operator is qualified to operate.

i.  Signal Person Qualifications.  (16-3.i)

(1)  A third-party Qualified Evaluator or the employer’s Qualified Evaluator/LHE
    trainer must qualify all signal persons.

(2)  For a signal person to be qualified, the evaluator must assess the individual’s capabilities and determine and document that they meet the following requirements:

(a)  Know and understand the type of signals used (for example, radio, cell, hand). If the signal person uses hand signals, they must know and understand the Standard Method for hand signals.

(b)  Be competent in the application of the type of signals used.

(c)  Have a basic understanding of crane operation and limitations, including crane dynamics involved in swinging and stopping loads and boom deflection from hoisting loads.

(d)  Demonstrate that they meet the requirements through written and practical test that assesses both technical knowledge and hands-on skills.

(3)  An assessment by an employer’s Qualified Evaluator/LHE trainer is not portable.  Other employers are not permitted to use it to meet these requirements.

(4)  If subsequent actions by the signal person indicate that the individual does not meet the qualification requirements, the employer may not allow them to work as a signal person until they are retrained and re-assessed.  See also 29 CFR 1926.1428(c) (29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC) Qualification Requirements.

j.  Powered Industrial Trucks (PITs)/Telehandlers.  Equipment operators, riggers, and others involved in transportation and hoisting operations must have written proof of qualifications.  (16-3.j)

k.  Operators of excavators used with attachments, such as drill rigs or pile driving equipment, must be trained on the specific operation.  (16-3.k)