In support of OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction week, May 8-12, Genie has released its “Upcoming Changes to ANSI A92 & CSA B354 Standards" presentation to help raise safety awareness in the aerial access industry. This overview explains how the ANSI A92 (United States) and CSA B354 (Canada) standards are changing and why.
The changes affect how products are referenced in North America, as well as how subjects such as design, safe use and training are covered. The Genie presentation provides details on the new standards including changes in design such as platform load weighing and, for owners and operators, requirements to perform jobsite safe use planning and risk assessments.
“The goal of OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down is to raise awareness of best practices for working safely at height,” said Scott Owyen, Genie Training Manager, Terex AWP. “One of the biggest challenges in the aerial industry is increasing awareness about why safety is so important, especially as the standards change. With the changes to the ANSI and CSA standards, there is a need for education, especially in the aerial market, about the implications of the new standards, as well as how they will work with current industry regulations.”
Owyen said the updating process incorporates the inclusion of international standards (ISO) which will more closely align products produced by North American AWP manufacturers, including Genie, with products offered in global markets such as Europe, Australia and China.
“These updates may allow aerial equipment owners to more easily trade new and used equipment worldwide,” Owyen noted. “It is important for the people working in the aerial access industry to understand for what will be different and start preparing now.”
Changes in the new standards will include: equipment terminology; equipment design standards; safe use and planning; risk assessment planning; training for operators, supervisors and occupants; and maintenance and repair personnel training.
Genie’s presentation shares the latest information on these changes as well as how new Genie aerial equipment will follow and apply them. Genie is also offering a video presentation that can be accessed at: https://terex.wistia.com/medias/wkvcya7ko8#. Additional information is offered at: http://aerialpros.genielift.com/category/mewp-standard/.
