To help the powered access industry move toward compliance with the updated ANSI A92 suite of Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) standards, IPAF has issued guidance in the form a four white papers, which are free to download. Published Dec. 10, 2018, the updated ANSI A92 suite has an effective date of December 2019. IPAF is also addressing the Canadian CSA standards, implemented in May, 2018. The white papers, created for dealers and users, identify changes to terminology and definitions, as well as requirements for owners and operators; risk assessments; equipment familiarization; and operator and supervisor/manager training affecting all manufacturers, dealers, owners and users of MEWPs, formerly aerial work platforms (AWPs), in North America.
Under changes to the ANSI A92 standards, machines will now actively monitor the load and will not operate normally when overloaded, except under emergency controls. MEWPs will be prevented from certain movements when they hit chassis inclination limits. The standards will require a user-developed plan to include tasks such as a risk assessment; MEWP selection for the application; and access, preparation, and maintenance of the work site prior to MEWP use. Evaluation and Training Requirements The user must now designate a qualified person to regularly monitor, supervise, and evaluate operators, and must ensure the operator is physically and mentally capable to operate the MEWP safely. New language also requires that rental companies deliver units to a designated person. Operators must be given sufficient time after familiarization to achieve operational proficiency. Training must be compliant with the new standards by the effective date. The standards also outline requirements for trainer qualification; training content and environment; testing, and documentation, for internal training. Comments are closed.
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