Articulating Crane Council of North America (ACCNA), an NTEA operating division since 1992, is composed of articulating crane manufacturers. It was formed to promote and serve the common interests of articulating crane manufacturers in the development and sale of safe, efficient, and useful products.
Articulating cranes, also known as knuckleboom cranes, have many applications. As the singular representative of and advocate for the articulating crane industry in North America, ACCNA aims to increase articulating crane use by furthering safe articulating crane installation and operation through education and by advocating for the industry through monitoring and influencing regulatory activities.
ACCNA tracks changes to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards involving cranes, as well as any applicable state requirements. Articulating cranes can fall into various OSHA categories, such as forestry for log-loaders or maritime for equipment used on docks. OSHA’s construction standards largely cover truck-mounted variations due to the broad definition of “construction.”
OSHA’s standards for cranes and derricks used in construction are contained in Code of Federal Regulations Title 29 Part 1926, Subpart CC. Since this regulates workplace safety, changes to OSHA standards are the responsibility of the equipment owners/operators. ACCNA members forecast the effects of such regulatory changes to ensure customers can meet new requirements based on equipment use and function.
Construction standards for cranes also involve certification requirements for operators, a component which took effect in 2018. Before these requirements began, ACCNA partnered with the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) to develop a series of written and practical exams for articulating crane operators, which was launched in 2009. Beforehand, there were no resources that could formally officiate a crane operator, making this work significant. The task force, which included ACCNA member company representatives, created three categories of articulating crane operator certification to cover construction industry equipment groupings subject to the new regulations. The success of this cooperative program continues as articulating cranes and operator requirements evolve.
The Council serves as a voice for the articulating crane industry within the regulatory community, and monitors rulemaking activities accordingly. Its members continue to navigate the effects and challenges with advanced driver assistance systems, such as automatic emergency braking and electronic stability control, among other commercial vehicle innovations.
Eligibility
To be eligible for membership in the Division, a company, corporation or other entity must be an NTEA member in good standing and be engaged in the manufacture or be an authorized importer of articulating cranes for the North American market. To join, apply online at ntea.com/accna (member login required). For more information, contact division secretary Steve Spata at steves@ntea.com.
ACCNA member companies
- F.LLI FERRARI Italy S.p.A (Poviglio, Italy)
- Fascan International Inc (Baltimore, Maryland)
- Fischer Crane Co (Bolingbrook, Illinois)
- HIAB USA Inc (Perrysburg, Ohio)
- HYVA Corporation (Wood Dale, Illinois)
- Iowa Mold Tooling Co Inc (Garner, Iowa)
- Manitex Inc (Georgetown, Texas)
- National Crane Corp (Shady Grove, Pennsylvania)
- PALFINGER North America LLC (Niagara Falls, Ontario)
Steering Committee
Division Chair: Jim Walliser, HIAB USA Inc
Division Vice Chair/Treasurer: Colton Peterson, Manitex Inc
Division At-Large Member: Brian Boyd, Fischer Crane Co
Division Secretary: Steve Spata, NTEA