The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has urged the U.S. Department of Labor and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to act now for timely completion of new crane safety standards that have been in development since 2003.

AEM President Dennis Slater sent a letter to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao and OSHA Assistant Secretary Edwin Foulke in which AEM asked the department to "expedite the approval process and give this safety initiative the full attention it deserves."

Slater noted that AEM and its members "fully support the actions of the Department of Labor and OSHA in developing a new and comprehensive Crane Safety Standard that would replace the current 30 year old lifting regulations (29 CFR 1926.550) and update the safety requirements needed in the crane industry."

"OSHA and AEM are both dedicated to achieve the same goal, safer crane operation, and this Standard is a vital part of that process. AEM stands ready to offer any assistance needed to complete this effort," Slater wrote.

Slater said that AEM was both frustrated and disappointed that two years have passed since the proposal went to OSHA and yet the proposed changes to the Crane Safety Standard have not advanced to the public comment stage. "We understand the governmental requirements and process that have to be followed but this unending delay is totally unacceptable," he wrote.