The crane and lifting sector continues to place greater emphasis on certification, standardized inspections and workforce safety as equipment owners and contractors navigate evolving regulatory requirements. CCO Certification has expanded its leadership team with the appointment of an executive experienced in international crane safety and standards development.
CCO Certification has named Brandon Hitch as Senior Director. Hitch joins the organization after serving as chief executive officer of the Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA), where he led industry initiatives involving safety, technical standards and regulatory engagement.
Before leading CICA, Hitch worked as a senior engineer with HIAB, gaining experience in articulating crane design and lifting operations. Since joining CICA in 2011, he has contributed to the development of inspection programs, compliance initiatives and industry guidance supporting Australia's crane sector.
In his new role, Hitch will provide strategic leadership across multiple CCO programs while supporting the organization's certification and industry engagement efforts.
Hitch also brings experience with CraneSafe Australia, an independent third-party crane inspection program designed to improve equipment safety through standardized inspection practices.
CCO Certification said his background will support continued expansion of Green Sticker by CraneSafe, the organization's inspection program in the United States. His work will focus on promoting consistent inspection standards, strengthening program credibility and increasing industry awareness of periodic equipment inspections.
In addition to his work in Australia, Hitch has participated in international crane and lifting initiatives, including ISO standards activities and collaboration with organizations such as the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA), the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), the European Association of Abnormal Road Transport and Mobile Cranes (ESTA) and the European Materials Handling Federation (FEM).
For crane owners, contractors and lifting professionals, leadership with experience in engineering, standards development and certification can help strengthen industry-wide safety practices and inspection consistency. As regulatory expectations continue to evolve, organizations are placing greater emphasis on standardized certification and third-party inspection programs that support safer equipment operations and workforce compliance.
Source: NCCO.
