50-76-103. Crane and hoist license required. (1) (a) It is unlawful for a person to operate any crane and hoist equipment, when used in hoisting or lowering personnel or material, that has a manufacturer’s load chart rating of 6 tons or more or to operate a tower crane of any capacity without first obtaining a license from the department. The crane and hoist equipment includes overhead trolley and gantry cranes used only in construction and excludes equipment with excavation attachments or log loading equipment when in use.

Terms Used In Montana Code 50-76-103

  • Crane: means a machine with a hoisting mechanism that is integral to the machine and that is used for lifting and lowering a load and for moving it horizontally. See Montana Code 50-76-111
  • Department: means the department of labor and industry provided for in 2-15-1701. See Montana Code 50-76-111
  • Hoist: means a power-driven apparatus capable of lifting and lowering loads and not designed to facilitate horizontal movements. See Montana Code 50-76-111
  • Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201

(b)In emergencies, 50-74-317 applies to the operation of the equipment named in this section.

(2)Licensing is as follows:

(a)Licensed first-class crane and hoist engineers may operate any hoisting equipment in industrial or construction operations.

(b)(i) An applicant for a first-class crane and hoist engineer’s license must be at least 18 years of age and, except as provided in 50-76-113:

(A)may not have less than 1 year of experience operating equipment requiring a second-class crane and hoist engineer’s license or shall demonstrate equivalent competency by examination; and

(B)shall pass a written test prescribed by the department.

(ii)A biennial physical exam is required of all first-class licensees.

(c)Licensed second-class crane and hoist engineers may operate crane and hoist equipment with a manufacturer’s load chart rating of between 6 tons and 17.5 tons or a tower crane of any capacity.

(d)(i) An applicant for a second-class crane and hoist engineer’s license must be at least 18 years of age and, and except as provided in 50-76-113:

(A)may not have less than 1 year of experience in actual operation of crane and hoist equipment covered by this section or shall demonstrate equivalent competency by examination; and

(B)shall pass a written examination prescribed by the department.

(ii)A biennial physical exam is required of all second-class licensees.

(e)Licensed third-class crane and hoist engineers may move all truck cranes driven by any power and of any capacity. This license requirement also applies to truck crane oilers who move truck cranes.

(f)An applicant for a third-class crane and hoist engineer’s license is required to successfully pass a written test prescribed by the department and must be at least 18 years of age before receiving a license.

(3)The department shall reexamine each licensee every 5 years during the anniversary month of the issuance of the license if the licensee has not worked at the trade for 5 years.