Homeland Security says cranes & specialized transport is ‘essential’

The Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) has received notice from the US Department of Homeland Security confirming the crane, rigging, and specialized transportation industry and its workers as ’Essential Critical Infrastructure’.

In Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce issued on March 28, 2020 by the Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the crane, rigging and specialized transportation industry and its workers are mentioned as essential critical infrastructure under “Transportation and Logistics”.

The wording is as follows: “Workers including truck drivers, railroad employees and contractors, maintenance crew, and cleaners supporting transportation of chemicals, hazardous, medical, and waste materials to support critical infrastructure, capabilities, functions, and services, including specialized carriers, crane and rigging industry workers.”

SC&RA said the list is advisory in nature, rather than a federal directive or standard.

“We are pleased that CISA has recognized our industry and its workers as essential critical infrastructure as they play a key role in keeping infrastructure viable,” said SC&RA CEO Joel Dandrea.

“We are grateful that CISA has responded so quickly to our request this week for recognition as essential critical infrastructure.”

For the latest information on how the crane, rigging, and specialized transportation industry is responding to the COVID-19 crisis, visit www.scranet.org/COVID19.

ACT is also maintaining a rolling-news story on construction and COVID-19, which can be found here.