Calculators on Certification Test Don't Meet B30.5 Standard

February 2009 – With the emergence of certification programs that permit the use of calculators in their tests, the controversy surrounding the appropriateness of their use has once again resurfaced.

“Ever since the first national exams were released by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) back in 1996, there has been debate as to whether they should be permitted,” said NCCCO Executive Director, Graham Brent.  “Some experts have pointed to the almost universal use of calculators in all aspects of personal and professional life, while others believe that certified operators should be able to solve basic addition, subtraction and division problems without assistance.” 

“The real issue has never been about security since that is easily addressed by providing calculators at the test site,” Brent notes.

However, Brent says the debate is moot since there is no doubt as to where the ASME B30.5 American National Standard’s stands on the issue. “Whatever your feelings about whether or not calculators should be permitted for use on certification exams, the ASME B30.5 mobile crane subcommittee is crystal clear about its position,” he says.

In two separate official interpretations of the standard, first in 1997 and again in 2003, ASME stated that the use of calculators does not meet the B30.5’s requirement for crane operators to be able to demonstrate the ability to perform the basic math necessary for accurate load chart interpretation.

“The fact of the matter is that any certification program that permits the use of calculators is in direct violation of the American National Standard,” said Brent.  If—and only if--the standard were to change would NCCCO be able review its position, he added.  “NCCCO does not make American national crane standards, but it does go to great lengths to ensure all its programs are in compliance with them,” Brent said.

OSHA rules are currently silent on the matter and any proposed change would, even if approved, not take effect until 2014 at the earliest, he said.