NLBMDA seeking member action for OSHA crane rule
The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association has issued a call to action regarding the repeal of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s regulations for cranes and derricks used in construction.
The NLBMDA issued the following statement regarding OSHA, and is asking members to reach out to lawmakers:
NLBMDA has been working over the last several years to repeal the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) 2016 Letter of Interpretation (LOI) regarding the Crane and Derricks in Construction Standard exemption for material delivery.
Unfortunately, OSHA has been unresponsive to NLBMDA’s numerous formal requests to withdraw the 2016 LOI. As a result, NLBMDA has decided to engage Congress for assistance and is partnering with Rep. Ron Wright (R-TX), member of the House Education and Labor Committee, to send a letter to OSHA from the House of Representatives demanding that they rescind the LOI. The letter is now open for signatures and can be signed by any representative in the House through July 17.
Today, NLBMDA is asking all of its members to reach out to the legislative staff of their respective representatives to request that they join Rep. Wright in signing the letter. Below you will find detailed information on how to contact your representative’s office including outreach instructions, staff email addresses, a copy of the letter and a one-page issue brief:
- Crane Rule Congressional Outreach Instructions
- Congressional Staff Directory
- Crane Rule Letter
- Crane Rule Issue Brief
The letter is supported by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and all of NLBMDA’s federated state and regional associations.
For any questions, please contact Kevin McKenney at [email protected] or Alex McIntyre at [email protected].
Crane Rule Background:
In 2010, OSHA issued regulations regarding the use of cranes and derricks in construction, including certification and safety requirements. The regulations included an exemption for building material delivery. Unfortunately, OSHA essentially repealed the material delivery exemption in a 2016 Letter of Interpretation (LOI). The Agency did not provide any reasoning for this change and failed to give small businesses and other stakeholders the opportunity to provide public comment, circumventing the traditional rulemaking process. The confusion created by the 2016 LOI has created unnecessary conflict between equipment manufacturers, building material suppliers, and contractors over the final stage of the material delivery process.