Propane Marketers Request LABOR SECRETARY TO POSTPONE OSHA CRANE RULE

WASHINGTON, DC (May 8, 2017) – On behalf of the members of the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), the organization called on newly confirmed U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta to immediately delay the compliance deadline for certain provisions of the Crane and Derricks in Construction regulation.

The current compliance deadline of November 10, 2017, is a three-year extension of the initial deadline. OSHA intended to propose modifications to the crane operator certification component of the regulation during the extension, but the agency has failed to do so.

Rick Roldan, NPGA’s President and CEO said, “OSHA has failed to hold up their end of the bargain during the last three years and provide modifications to the existing rule. The industry is depending on Secretary Acosta to take action and hold OSHA accountable.” He continued, “NPGA requests that Secretary Acosta immediately postpone the compliance deadline by an additional three years and instruct the agency to reengage stakeholders in changing the regulation.”


NPGA has long-held objections to the regulation and its applicability to the propane industry. At the onset, NPGA challenged the regulation’s relevance to propane tank delivery and subsequently argued for exclusion from the regulation. However, OSHA maintains that the regulation is activity-specific rather than industry-specific; therefore, the requirements of the regulation may cover some propane tank deliveries by articulating or mobile cranes.

Delaying this regulation is likely to be one of the main discussion topics during NPGA’s annual fly-in, Propane Days, next month. Additionally, NPGA is preparing a White Paper detailing the requirements of the Crane and Derricks in Construction regulation as it is currently finalized.

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) is the national trade association of the propane industry. NPGA represents approximately 2,800 companies, including producers, wholesalers, transporters, and retailers of propane gas as well as the manufacturers and distributors of associated propane equipment and appliances. 50 million Americans choose propane as their energy source. Propane is an abundant, American resource that supports small businesses and protects the environment. For more information about NPGA and the propane gas industry, visit NPGA online at www.npga.org.