How is being a Boy Scout like working in the construction business? Both pursuits embrace the motto “Be prepared.”

A future hoisting operator.
Construction workers, especially those with hoisting licenses, must make sure that their equipment is functioning correctly, that they have all of the necessary tools and supplies, and that the conditions are properly safe to work. So it’s not surprising that they might adopt this attitude of preparedness when fulfilling their state-mandated requirements for continuing education (CE).
Everyone in the state of Massachusetts who obtains a hoisting license must complete four hours of continuing education every two years before they can renew their license for another cycle. According to the state’s Department of Public Safety, the topics that are covered in CE “shall include, but are not limited to” these areas:
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 146 – Hoisting machinery classifications, related rules and regulations, criteria for hoisting licenses, temporary permits, and apprentice operator licenses.
Massachusetts General Laws Chapters 82, Section 40 and 82A – Definitions of excavation terms, related rules and regulations, fines for violations, safety hazards, excavating permits, and unattended open trenches.
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 164, Section 76D – The establishment and participation requirements for the state’s utility underground plant damage prevention system.
Chapter 520 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, Section 6.00 – Hoisting machinery general provisions and adopted standards, requirements and exemptions for licensure, apprentice licenses, in-service training programs, hoisting machinery operating procedures, accident reporting, and special requirements for specific types of machinery.
Chapter 520 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, Section 14.00 – Excavation and trench safety, permitting requirements, protections for the general public, permit suspension or revocation, immediate shutdown procedures, fine assessments, and appeals processes.
Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s Standards Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations Part 1910, Subpart F, Section 66 – Information about powered platforms for building maintenance, including requirements, testing, inspection, maintenance, and training.
Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s Standards Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations Part 1910, Subpart N, Section 179 – Information about overhead and gantry cranes, including requirements, testing, inspection, and load-handling.
Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s Standards Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations Part 1910, Subpart S, Section 306, parts b and c – Specific purpose equipment and installations information about cranes, hoists, and elevators.
Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s Standards Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations Part 1926, Subpart N, Section 552 – Information about material hoists, personnel hoists, and elevators, including minimum factors of safety for suspension wire ropes.
Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s Standards Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations Part 1926, Subpart N, Section 553 – Information and requirements pertaining to base-mounted drum hoists.
Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s Standards Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations Part 1926, Subpart N, Section 554 – Information and requirements pertaining to overhead hoists.
American National Standards Institute/American Society of Mechanical Engineers B30 construction package – Listing standards applicable to various hoists, cranes, lifting systems, and derricks.

You have to have a license in good standing in order to operate this bad boy.
Thankfully, fulfilling hoisting CE requirements is easy when you partner with Massachusetts Contractor Academy. They have four-hour online courses available for almost every hoisting subspecialty category in the state. You can go to their website, click on the course you want, and start immediately. Now that you know what material is being covered, your hoisting license will be in good standing with the state of Massachusetts in no time at all!
Get started today! Take our Hoisting License classes for free.