The time table noted in this article states that an agreement from the crane industry group was sent to OSHA in July 2004 to license crane operators as well as other updated standards. These agreed items were sent to the Office of Management and Budget. It takes from 30 to 90 days for their actions. Then it takes another 12 to 18 months to get comments from all over the country, before any actions are gathered before the standard is put in place. There have been NO changes since 1971 to the crane standards.
One principle recommendation to these standards is the Licensing of ALL crane operators nationwide. Some states have this requirement now. While I agree that licensing of operators is a good thing and will show that, at least, they have had SOME formal training. However, the operators are only a part of the standards that need to be addressed. The REGULAR INSPECTIONS on each crane should be done on a timely basis by A TRULY COMPETENT PERSON that has been formally trained in the inspection of each type crane that they are to inspect. As I noted in another blog, I feel that recertification of cranes should be more frequent than once a year. This especially is applicable for tower cranes.
An industry council agreed on a set of standards in July 2004 and recommended them to the Department of Labor, but the proposal has languished within the department's Occupational Health and Safety Administration since then, the groups said.
"It cannot be overemphasized that the time for action is now," said Bill Smith, president of NationsBuilders Insurance Services, which provides insurance to crane operators. "National uniformity of standards is essential and government must expedite the process."
The proposed standards include a requirement that all crane operators obtain licenses, either under state programs or from accredited groups.
Fifteen states currently have similar rules, including New York, where two of the recent accidents have taken place. Florida, where the third accident occurred, doesn't require certification but is one of five states considering doing so, according to Graham Brent, executive director of the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators.
Smith said he has learned that the proposed rules, which also cover crane design and construction, have been sent to the White House's Office of Management and Budget for review, which will take 30 to 90 days. The public will then comment on the rule for another 12 to 18 months before it can be issued.
Sharon Worthy, a Labor Department spokeswoman, referred questions to OMB. A phone call to OMB was not returned.
"Any accident that occurs in our industry is of great concern to us, but the tragic loss of life is particularly troubling and completely unacceptable," said Joel Dandrea, executive vice president of the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association, which represents 1,300 transportation and industrial machinery companies.
Dandrea also said his group has formed a task force that will develop a set of construction crane "best practices" for contractors.
OSHA's existing rules for workers who operate cranes have not been updated since 1971, though the agency acknowledges modernized standards could help prevent future accidents.
The Labor Department in May estimated there are as many as 82 fatalities annually associated with cranes in construction, and said a more up-to-date standard would help prevent them. Most crane accidents are due to wind or operator error, experts say. 
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