Recently, The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A10 committee have drafted proposed new standards that cover the purchase, rental, lease, maintenance, use and training in use of aerial platforms used for lifting personnel in construction. Along with other organizations including the American Rental Association (ARA), the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has lodged an official objection on behalf of its members against the passage of the proposed A10.29 AWP safe use guideline standard.
IPAF members believe that safe use guidelines are already covered in the current ANSI A92 standards, and the hazards and risk associated with safe use in construction are no different than the hazards and risks found in all other industries using AWPs. The development of a second standard will either be duplicative or introduce inconsistencies between the two standards.
IPAF further believes that it should not be supported as it will result in confusion for end-users and create different requirements for operators of the same equipment depending on the work they perform and the industry they work in. There is no unique language in the proposed standard that does not apply to any user in any industry. The AWP industry only needs one standard, the existing ANSI A92 standard, and, should the need arise; all industries have the opportunity to have their concerns heard and addressed on the ANSI A92 committee.
The proposed standard has specific language that IPAF members object to, but as IPAF opposes the adoption of the entire standard for reasons above, there is no need to address each provision in detail.
