MEWPs: New Name, Same Hazards!

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AERIAL WORK PLATFORMS (AWPs) IS NOW MOBILE ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS (MEWPs)

ANSI (American National Standards Institute) recently updated best practices covering aerial lift equipment. This article aims to alert us to these changes and identify where more information can be obtained regarding aerial lift equipment. It is also a reminder of the hazards associated with these equipment operations.

What You Need to Know

From a regulatory and compliance standpoint, the use of aerial lifts in construction settings is covered in 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1926 Subpart L of the OSHA Construction Standards and 29 CFR 1910 Subpart of the General Industry Standards. But, curiously, these sections do not say as much as you might think.

It is important to note that certain ANSI Standards referenced in these sections are used as a source for information on requirements and best practices.

Many versions of aerial lift equipment are constantly used in construction and general industry workplaces. This equipment has made construction and maintenance tasks easier and safer, yet tragic incidents can still result in worker injuries and fatalities.

Changes to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) & Scaffold and Access Industry Association (SAIA) A92 standards have created a "new normal" for equipment formerly known as aerial lifts, aerial work platforms (AWPs), man lifts, powered platforms, and vehicle-mounted work platforms. They are all now referred to as mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs).

The ANSI standards have for many decades provided best practices for safe, reliable access to work at height. They have always identified the responsibilities of manufacturers, dealers, users, occupants, and operators. However, the revised suite of A92 standards emphasizes the user's responsibilities, typically the employer.

A significant component of the new ANSI standard involves the need for the MEWP user to develop a safe use program for their operations involving MEWPs. Developing a safe use program may sound complicated, but it doesn't have to be.

Here Are a Few Things to Consider in Your “Safe Use Program”:

Identify how you will perform site risk assessments to identify hazards, evaluate risk, develop control measures, and communicate with everyone affected
Establish procedures for the selection, provision, and use of an appropriate MEWP for the task as well as any work equipment associated with it
Ensure that the authorized MEWP operators are familiarized with the specific MEWP used

Hopefully, the information you are reading motivates you to look at your operations with MEWPs and results in increased safety and an updated MEWPs program.

While it is difficult to measure the accidents that never happen, do all you can to prevent a tragedy at your company!

RESOURCES
For further assistance on this and other safety topics, contact your TBG Safety Services Team or to learn more about MEWPs please click below:

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