Rick Smith
Senior Director of Product Training
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JLG Industries
The updated ANSI and CSA standards address Training requirements in the ANSI A92.24 & CSA B354.8 sections, providing guidance on preparing Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) training materials, define how theoretical and practical training should be delivered and identify required elements for proper training and familiarization.
These standards impact both end users and dealers. While MEWP operator training is still mandatory in the revised standards, this requirement now extends beyond operators to include others who will come in contact with a MEWP on the job site, including:
- Supervisors: People who directly supervise MEWP operators (ANSI only)
- Occupants: People in the MEWP platform who are not considered operators (ANSI & CSA)
- Maintenance & Repair Personnel: People servicing MEWPs (CSA only)
And, dealers are required to offer training and familiarization to anyone who rents, leases or buys equipment. If requested, they must provide training or advise the renter on where to get training.
Here’s more information about who’s impacted by the new standards and what each must do to comply…
Dealers, owners and users must train and familiarize, or have proof of training and familiarization, for all employees they allow to operate a MEWP.
- When requested by the user, dealers or owners must offer operator training or explain where the operator can get training when selling, leasing or renting a MEWP to someone
- When requested by the user, dealers or owners must offer familiarization to the person buying, leasing or renting a MEWP
- All training must be delivered by a qualified person and must be offered in a language and format the trainee can understand
Occupants in the platform must have knowledge of how to work safely in a MEWP, including:
- How to use fall protection and the location of fall protection anchors
- How their actions could affect stability
- How to safely use MEWP accessories they are assigned to use
- How to adhere to the safety plan and avoid site-specific hazards
- How to complete emergency shutdown and lowering procedures in line with manufacturer’s warnings and safety information
People who directly supervise MEWP operators must be properly trained in:
- Proper MEWP selection
- Rules, regulations and standards that apply to MEWPs, including operation, safe use and training
- Potential hazards associated with the use of MEWPs and how to protect against them
- Where manufacturer’s operation manuals should be stored and how they should be used
Maintenance and repair personnel must be trained to properly inspect and maintain MEWPs
- To do their jobs effectively, service technicians need to have a deep understanding of the construction, operation and maintenance of MEWPs, especially as it relates to the new machine design standards
- Training courses under the updated standards are designed to give service technicians the skills and knowledge they need to make informed repairs on the job.
According to the standards, all training must be delivered by a qualified person who is experienced with the particular classification of MEWP on which training is being given. This qualified training provider must be knowledgeable about the laws, regulations, safe use practices, manufacturer’s requirements, recognition and avoidance of hazards as they relate to MEWPs.
Learn more information on the ANSI and CSA Training standards here.
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