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821 Cranes and Derricks Safety II
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Qualifications of Maintenance & Repair Employees

Improper crane maintenance and repair can lead to dangerous equipment failure.

Improper maintenance by unqualified persons can lead to equipment failure.

To ensure that maintenance and repair employees are qualified to perform their assigned tasks, Section 1429 requires maintenance and repair personnel to meet the definition of a qualified person with respect to the equipment and maintenance/repair tasks they perform. OSHA defines a "qualified person" as:

  • A person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training and experience, successfully demonstrated the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.

Some maintenance and repair tasks may require the maintenance and repair personnel to operate the equipment to diagnose a problem or check its operation. Such personnel need not be qualified or certified under section 1427 to operate the equipment as long as:

  • the operation is limited to those functions necessary to perform maintenance, inspect the equipment, or verify its performance; and
  • personnel either:
    • operate the equipment under the direct supervision of an operator who meets the qualification/certification requirements of section 1427; or
    • are familiar with the operation, limitations, characteristics, and hazards associated with the type of equipment.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-7. OSHA requires that maintenance and repair personnel meet the definition of a _____ with respect to the equipment and maintenance/repair tasks they perform.