
The US ANSI A92 suite of design, safe-use and training standards are finally on the path to publication. Once published, the industry will have 12 months to prepare to become compliant with the new requirements, known as the effective date of the new standards. This is an opportune time to budget for supervisor training that is a new requirement in the standard.
All personnel that directly supervise MEWP operators shall receive training. This training is defined in ANSI A92.24 training standard in Section 7.5. that includes proper MEWP selection, rules, regulations and standards that apply to MEWPs, potential hazards associated with MEWPs and means to mitigate their risk and knowledge of the manufacturer’s requirements defined in the MEWP operator’s manual.
The requirements in the A92.22 standard include the development of a safe use program specific to MEWPs that include issues such as a risk assessment, rescue plan, proper access, preparation and maintenance of the site for MEWP use, maintenance, inspection and repairs, to name but a few.
In addition to the need to train and familiarize personnel prior to authorization to operate, a supervisor must monitor, supervise and evaluate operators on a regular basis to ensure their proficiency. This evaluation will be accomplished through visual observation, at a minimum, which shall be documented.
While the Canadian B354 standards do not specifically address supervisor, the same general responsibilities are required of the MEWP user to be carried out by qualified persons. The supervisor training requirements in the ANSI standards can easily apply to the user’s personnel assigned to perform these tasks.
IPAF can help any company meet the new requirements by identifying an approved training center that offers IPAF’s MEWPs for Managers course. This encompasses all of the considerations outlined above and those who successfully complete the course will be considered compliant with the new requirement for supervisor training.
If you have any questions about how to become ANSI or CSA compliant, contact your nearest IPAF office or representative, details at www.ipaf.org/contact