Current through Register Vol. 54, No.43, October 26, 2024
Section 29.54 - Qualifications for operators(a) No person shall operate or be asked or allowed to operate any powder actuated tool within this Commonwealth unless he has been licensed by having issued to him an operator's card, as provided in § 29.53 (relating to qualifications for instructors).(b) Blank forms of applications for operator's cards may be obtained from the Board.(c) All completed applications for operator's cards shall be submitted to the Board and shall include the signature of the instructor and identification number. Under no circumstances shall a rubber stamp be used as a signature.(d) To qualify as an operator, an applicant shall be at least 21 years of age. He shall be able to disassemble (field strip) and reassemble the tool correctly, demonstrate ability to use the tool safely under varying conditions, and be able to properly clean and maintain the tool in accordance with the operating instruction of the manufacturer.(e) Only persons considered to have good judgment and a familiarity with safe work practices and procedures shall be selected as operators. Competency shall be substantiated by a written examination prior to issuance of an operator's card.(f) When the authorized instructor is satisfied that the applicant for an operator's card has had a minimum of 100 hours of experience in powder-actuated tools prior to examination, he may be given an oral examination in lieu of a written examination. When the written examination is waived because of this past experience, the authorized instructor shall note that fact on the copy of the operator's card filed with the Board.(g) The application of the operator shall be filed by an authorized instructor and identified by the ID number of the instructor. Such application shall be filed with the Board by the authorized instructor within four days of the date of issuance.(h) The purpose of the operator's card shall be to certify that the operator has completed the required training and is licensed as a qualified operator. The card shall be of a size (approximately 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches) which may readily fit into a wallet.(j) The signature of the operator in the designated space shall follow a statement on the card reading as follows: I have received instruction in the safe operation of powder-actuated tools of the makes and models specified, and I agree to conform to the rules and regulations governing their use.
(k) Trainees, may obtain special permits from any authorized instructor or from the Department, under rules approved by the Board, but such trainees shall not operate powder-actuated tools except under the direct supervision of a qualified operator. Trainees shall be at least 18 years of age.(l) Operators and trainees shall keep their operator's cards or permits in their personal possession at all times when at work, and produce and display such card upon request of any authorized person properly on the job site where a powder-actuated tool is being used.(m) Operator's cards and trainee's permits may be suspended or revoked by the Department for failure to comply with any or all of the regulations or rules governing operation of powder-actuated tools.(n) Instructors' and operators' cards shall remain the property of the Commonwealth and if lost or stolen should be reported to the Board of the Department.