Powered access participants in North America are aware of significant and ongoing updates and revisions to existing standards, both in the U.S. and Canada. Owing to several challenges to the introduction of the ANSI/SAIA standards, these have still not been fully implemented, but expect clarity by the end of 2022, writes IPAF’s Dan Moss.
The ANSI/SAIA A92 and CSA B354 powered access equipment standards were developed using several of the ISO/TC 214 standards as their foundation for content and structure. In fact, the current CSA B354 MEWP standards are an adoption of ISO design, safe-use and training standards with Canadian deviations, so it is important to know the activities of ISO standards in addition to the ANSI/SAIA A92 and Canadian CSA B354 standards.
ANSI/SAIA A92 Standards
All of the existing A92 standards are required to be republished by year-end 2022 to, at a minimum, correct any language that has been identified as a commercial term violation. Specifically, language referring to a Manual of Responsibility or exclusive authorization from a manufacturer to comply must be eliminated. It is likely that the commercial terms language will constitute the majority of change within the approved revisions.
CSA B354 Standards
The CSA standards are an adoption of ISO 16368:2010 MEWP – Design, Calculations, Safety Requirements and Test Methods (B354.6-2018); ISO 18893:2014 MEWP Safety Principles, Inspection, Maintenance and Operation (B354.7-2018); and ISO 18878:2013 MEWP Operator (driver) Training. These Canadian standards were published in 2018 and are therefore ready for a five-year periodic review in 2022. As the corresponding ISO standards have not yet been updated (the revision process has just started), these Canadian standards will be reaffirmed –republished without any changes.
The CSA will also be reaffirming the existing mast climbing work platform (MCWP) and transport platform standards: B354.10-17/B354.11-17 – Safe Use and Best Practices for Mast Climbing Work Platforms/Training for MCWPs; B354.9-17 – Design, Calculations, Safety Requirements and Test Methods for MCWPs; B354.12-17 – Design, Calculations, Safety Requirements and Test Methods for Mast Climbing Transport Platforms (MCTPs); B354.13-17/B354.14-17 – Safe Use and Best Practices for MCTPs/Training for MCTPs.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS UPDATE
The development of new standards and improvements to existing standards for MEWPs has been the focus for both the International (ISO) and the European (CEN) standards development organizations for the past five years or more.
ISO/TC 214 (elevating work platforms) Standards
- Working Group 1 (MEWPS)
Following the publication of ISO 21455 for operator's controls in March 2020, Working Group 1 (WG 1) turned their focus toward a revision to ISO 16368:2010. WG 1 met (virtually) 19 times in 2020 and 2021 and six more times (virtually) in 2022 so far and has progressed the document several steps forward toward the eventual publication of the third edition by mid-2024. Though the focus has been on ISO 16368, the revision to ISO 18893:2014 (safe use) is expected to be launched before the end of August 2022. IPAF's Tony Groat is leading this project.
- Working Group 2 (MCWPs)
Though the WG 2 was disbanded a few years ago, there is a desire to revise its primary document ISO 16369:2007 and bring it up to date with other global requirements. IPAF’s Dan Moss has taken the lead in preparing a draft for ballot, and it is expected that a ballot will be launched by the end of 2022. If accepted, the WG 2 will be reformed with new experts to develop the next edition.
CEN/TC 98 (lifting platforms) Standards
- Working Group 1 (MEWPs)
Earlier this year, CEN/TC 98 published EN 280-1:2022: Mobile elevating work platforms – Part 1: Design Calculations – Stability Criteria – Construction – Safety – Examinations and Tests and EN-280-2: Mobile Elevating Work Platforms – Part 2: Additional Safety Requirements for Load Lifting Appliances on the Extending Lifting Structure and Work Platform.
