Rick Smith
Senior Director of Product Training
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JLG Industries
Terminology is the language used in the industry to describe something particular to aerial access equipment. Also known as industry jargon or lingo, specific terminology can help define meaning, provide context and develop an understanding of the ANSI A92 and CSA B354 standards.
Compliance to the updated North American standards requires you to learn some new terminology. Here’s an overview of the terms you need to know…
Under the updated standards, the term AWP, or Aerial Work Platform, is no longer used. Instead, aerial access equipment is now called Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs). This new name calls attention to the term “mobile” in MEWPs – it means that the equipment can travel, either under its own power or by manual effort; it is not stationary. Per the standards, MEWPs are now defined as a “Machine/device intended for moving persons, tools and material to working positions, consisting of at least a work platform with controls, an extending structure and a chassis.”
In the previous version of the North American standards, AWPs were classified by product types (think in terms of boom lifts and scissor lifts). In the updated standards, MEWPs are now classified differently. They will now be referenced in Groups A and B with Types 1, 2 or 3.
A MEWP is classified in Group A or B depending on where the center of the platform is relative to machine chassis.
- Group A: MEWPs with platforms that move vertically but stay inside the tipping lines.
- Group B: All other MEWPs, typically boom-type MEWPs where the platform extends past the machine’s chassis.
A MEWP is classified as Type 1, 2 or 3 depending on how the machine travels.
- Type 1: Can only travel in the stowed position
- Type 2: Can travel elevated but is controlled from the chassis
- Type 3: Can travel elevated but is controlled from the work platform
Looking for more details? Download the JLG Essential Guide to Understanding ANSI & CSA Standard Changes to learn more.
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