NCCCO Foundation Crane Chair

The NCCCO Foundation has named Fred Simmons chair of the Crane Type Advisory Group (CTAG) following the retirement of Dave Ritchie.

Garry Higdem, president, NCCCO Foundation, said: “Dave leaves behind an outstanding legacy for which we are all enormously grateful. And we are equally confident that Fred will continue that legacy for the betterment of industry and all those whose work brings them into contact with cranes and rigging.”

Since it was established five years ago, CTAG has made more than 30 determinations as to the “most similar” certification applicable to operators of types of cranes for which no specific accredited operator certification is available.

“With the recent publication of OSHA’s revised Compliance Directive that includes specific guidance to compliance officers as to how to implement federal crane operator qualifications, we anticipate increased requests from employers as to which certification is the most appropriate,” added Higdem.  “And we are confident, given the unrivaled breadth and depth of the experience of the subject matter experts who serve on the Committee, that CTAG will be able to provide that guidance.”

The NCCCO Foundation has named Fred Simmons chair of the Crane Type Advisory Group (CTAG) following the retirement of Dave Ritchie.

• Anyone interested in seeking a determination as to the most similar certification for which no specific program exists can email the CTAG Committee at [email protected], Hidgem noted.