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Boehler has been active with the A92 committee and various subcommittees (A92.3 Manually Propelled Elevating Work Platforms, A92.5 Boom Supported Elevating Work Platforms, and the A92.6) for the past four years. He is also involved with the Canadian CSA B354 Elevating Work Platforms Technical Committee, and the ISO Technical Committee 214 (TC 214) - Elevating Work Platforms. Other industry associations include being an approved AWPT (Aerial Work Platform Training) instructor and sitting on the AWPT Advisory Council as well as being the chair of the AWPT Practical Evaluation Working Group. Boehler is also a member of the IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) Manufacturer’s Technical Committee and the FEM Mobile Elevating Work Platforms product group.

State of Washington clarifies use of harnesses in scissor lifts issue

Following the release of a widely circulated story stating that the State of Washington had issued a document requiring the use of harnesses on scissor lifts, Aerial Work Platform Training (AWPT), an organization that exists to promote the safe and effective use of powered access equipment sought clarification of the new requirement.

After speaking directly with Dan K. McMurdie, compliance operations manager from the State of Washington’s Division of Occupational Safety & Health, AWPT’s Tony Groat learned that there was a misunderstanding of the rules found in the recently released document from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. According to McMurdie, "The Division of Occupational Safety and Health has not changed the requirements for fall protection while using scissor lifts. The requirement is still standard guardrails on all open sides. Full-body harness and lanyard is only required when working from a boom-elevated platform or rotating aerial device."

Further clarification of the new rules contained in Chapter 296-869 WAC "Elevating Work Platforms" can be found on the Department’s web site at www.lni.wa.gov/WISHA/Rules/elevatedplatforms/default.htm

The misunderstanding of the new rule apparently stems from wording found in Section WAC 296-869-20045, "Working from the Platform", that states, "Make sure all persons in the platform wear a full-body harness with lanyard attached." This section however, pertains only to "Aerial Lifts" which are defined as, "An aerial device mounted on a vehicle such as a truck, trailer, or all-terrain vehicle."