The new law requiring all mobile hydraulic crane operators to be certified by the NCCCO became effective June 01, 2005. A large number of crane operators have not been certified. My question is what happens to non-certified crane operators if they are caught operating a crane? Are they fined? Is the company they work for fined? Are there any other repercussions? How are the new regulations being policed? Is there a "hot line" to report unsafe or non-compliant acts?

You can learn more about the crane certification at:
http://www.nccco.org/news/downloads/CAQA.pdf

California's regs about cranes may be found at: http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/Cranes.html

and

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=lab&group=07001-08000&file=7370-7374

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As may be seen, an employer who permits an employee to operate a crane without the appropriate certification/training is subject to severe penalties from OSHA.

An employee who falsifies cerification can be subject to disciplinary action by his/her employer and, if the employee caused harm to another person or to property, criminal charges may be filed.

Accordding to the NCCCO site:
"Is NCCCO certification mandatory?
The NCCCO program was established as a voluntary program, by industry, for industry and continues to receive support from industry. The recognition of NCCCO by OSHA is still as a voluntary program, but recognizes NCCCO certification as a means of being in compliance with OSHA's requirement for a qualified operator. Remember, certification may not be mandated, but training is; OSHA requires all employees be trained for the work they do. Of course, when an employer makes NCCCO certification a job requirement, it effectively becomes "mandatory."