August 19, 2024—CCO Certification is honored to announce that 11 industry experts have been selected to develop a new certification program for side boom tractor operators. These machines fall under the ASME B30.14 Side Boom Tractors standard.In response to numerous requests from industry, CCO is developing this program so that users can garner the same increased safety benefits that users of other load handling equipment have seen through CCO certification.
The task force includes both experienced CCO contributors and new experts with more specialized knowledge, including those from unions, training companies, construction contractors, energy companies and regulatory authorities:
- Bryan Abel, IUOE/PLCA National Pipeline Training Fund
- Randel Besemer, IUOE Local 324
- Marcus Brister, ExxonMobil
- Art DeLeon, Underground Construction Co., Inc.
- David Hopkins, Price Gregory LLC
- Chad Lynch, IUOE Local 324
- Robert Merkel, Duke Energy
- Maynard Richmond, US Pipeline
- Gregg Strede, IUOE Local 478Jackie Terry, Enbridge
- Kenneth Villarete, Underground Construction Co.
Like all other certification programs that CCO has developed, this new Side Boom Tractor Operator program will be built according to the same strict psychometric standards that are a hallmark of all CCO’s certification programs, resulting in a certification process that is fair, valid, reliable and legally defensible. Program development will begin in Q3, and the new program is expected to be launched by the end of 2025.