May 2016—Five years after the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA) adopted the CCO Signalperson certification as the recommended standard for all its members involved with cranes and lifting operations, the first group of certificants is stepping up to be recertified for a further five years. Through April, more than 5,500 UA members had completed all of the CCO Signalperson certification requirements and become CCO-certified. While adoption of the program is nationwide, the top five states with the most CCO-certified UA members are (in order) Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, California, and Illinois.
As far back as 2010 UA leadership recognized the education and safety benefits of having its members become certified through the CCO Signalperson program.
“The United Association is convinced that the CCO Signalperson certification program significantly enhances the safety of lifting operations and of our working men and women,” said UA General President, William Hite. “By taking matters to the next level, the UA has been able to demonstrate its ability to improve its methods of training and certification to keep pace with the ever-changing landscape of construction practices in today’s world.”
From the beginning, UA’s commitment to the CCO program was on a voluntary basis, although many members worked in jurisdictions—such as Philadelphia—where certification is required.
“UA’s investment in NCCCO’s ANSI-accredited CCO Signalperson program is highly valued and has clearly been mutually beneficial,” noted NCCCO Chief Executive Officer, Graham Brent.
United Association’s Assistant Director of Training, James Pavesic (left) and NCCCO CEO, Graham Brent, met to confirm the extension of the agreement between the two organizations.
Updated 5/19/16