Section 6.44. Standards of conduct, disciplinary action, suspension and revocation

(a) The Board may levy a civil penalty, impose costs of investigation, or refuse, restrict, suspend or revoke a license if the Board finds that an individual subject to its jurisdiction violated the act or this chapter.

(b) The following acts, errors or omissions constitute a violation of the standards of conduct of a crane operator:

(1) Negligent operation of a crane.

(2) Operation of a crane without the ability to use reasonable skill and safety by reason of mental or physical illness or condition.

(3) Operation of a crane while impaired by alcohol, hallucinogenic or narcotic drugs, or another substance that impairs judgment or coordination.

(4) Operation of a crane during a period of time when:

(i) The individual abuses alcohol, hallucinogenic or narcotic drugs, or other substances that impair judgment or coordination.

(ii) The individual is dependent upon alcohol, hallucinogenic or narcotic drugs, or other substances that impair judgment or coordination, and dependence is not in full remission.

(5) Violation of any of the provisions of the act or this chapter.

(6) Commission of fraud or deceit in:

(i) The operation of a crane.

(ii) Securing licensure or certification.

(iii) Securing renewal of licensure or certification.

(7) Conviction of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude, or disposition by probation without verdict, disposition in lieu of trial or Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition in the disposition of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude in the courts of this Commonwealth, the United States or any other state, territory, possession of the United States or any other country.

(8) Violation of The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act (35 P. S. § § 780-101—780-144) or an equivalent offense under the laws of another jurisdiction.

(9) Failure to operate a crane consistent with the applicable ASME B 30 standard.

(10) Failure to operate a crane in a manner consistent with accepted standards in the industry.

(11) Operation of a crane, engaging in the operation of a crane or continuing to operate a crane, when the crane operator had reason to know of conditions or circumstances under which the crane could not be operated without exposing persons or property to an unreasonable risk of harm.

(12) Violation of a lawful order of the Board.

(13) Failure to properly supervise a trainee.

(14) Failure to report an event, occurrence, injury, property damage, claim, condition, diagnosis, civil action, criminal proceeding or other matter subject to the duty to report in § 6.42 (relating to impaired operation of a crane and reportable conditions, incidents or events).

(15) Failure to follow applicable workplace safety standards of OSHA, or other applicable safety standards of the Commonwealth or another jurisdiction, regardless of whether the violation arose from the operation of a crane.

(16) Conviction or disposition by Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition or any disposition other than a nonconviction, for a violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § § 3801—3817 (relating to driving after imbibing alcohol or utilizing drugs).

(17) Conviction or disposition by Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, or any disposition other than a nonconviction for an offense that involves intentional or reckless conduct that poses an unreasonable risk of bodily harm to others.

(18) Whether or not acting in the capacity of a crane operator, to discharge, discipline or in any manner discriminate against another person with respect to that person’s compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment or independent contract, for any of the following reasons:

(i) The other person has refused to operate a crane, or participate in the operation of a crane in a manner which is not in compliance with the act, this chapter, a Federal rule, regulation, standard or order applicable to crane operation, or the applicable ASME B 30 volume.

(ii) The other person, or a person acting under a request of the other person, has filed a complaint or instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding relating to a violation of the act, this chapter, a Federal rule, regulation, standard or order applicable to crane operation, or the applicable ASME B 30 volume, or has testified or is about to testify in the proceeding.

(iii) The other person refused to participate in the operation of a crane as a rigger, signal person, or in another function related to the operation of a crane when the operation constitutes a violation of the act, this chapter, an applicable ASME B 30 volume, or Federal rules, regulations, standards or orders applicable to crane operation.

(iv) The other person had a reasonable apprehension of serious injury to himself, or to another person due to the unsafe condition of the crane or the unsafe manner in which the crane was to be operated. For purposes of this paragraph, the other person has a reasonable apprehension of serious injury due to the unsafe condition of a crane or the unsafe manner in which a crane is to be operated if:

(A) The condition of the crane or manner of operation is of a nature that a reasonable person, under the circumstances then confronting the other person, would conclude that there is a bona fide danger of an accident, injury or serious impairment of health resulting from the unsafe condition or unsafe manner of operation.

(B) The other person sought from the lift director and was unable to obtain correction of the unsafe condition or unsafe manner of operation.

(c) It shall be an affirmative defense to an allegation of a violation of subsection (b)(1), (9), (10) or (11) that the crane operator acted, or refrained from acting, in justifiable reliance upon the advice, instruction or direction of the site supervisor or the lift director.

(d) It shall be an affirmative defense to an allegation of a violation of subsection (b)(2), (3), (4) or (14) that the crane operator acted, or refrained from acting, in justifiable reliance upon the advice of a licensed health care practitioner.