Genie Releases New Resources for Safe Use of MEWPS

April 29, 2019 – In support of OSHA’s upcoming National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction week, held May 6-10, Genie shared new resources that raise awareness about the safe use of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) in the aerial access industry.
 
The new Genie “Safe Use Plan Guidance” whitepaper provides tips for creating a safe use plan when operating MEWPs. The Genie “Big Changes” music video highlights important information on MEWP operator and occupant training requirements.

“With the new ANSI A92.22-2018 and CSA B354.7:17 standards on everyone’s mind these days, these new resources will help customers prepare for the changes going into effect in North America,” says Scott Owyen, Genie senior training manager, Terex AWP. “The goal of OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down each year is to raise awareness of best practices for working safely at height. The new MEWP standards in North America will go into effect soon, and our industry as a whole needs to start preparing now for the impact these changes will have on our fleets, our customers, and equipment operators. Participating in the OSHA National Safety Stand-Down efforts gives us the opportunity to increase our customers’ awareness about the proper use of aerial equipment on jobsites in compliance with the new MEWP standards.”

In the new ANSI A92.22-2018 and CSA B354.7:17 standards, business owners that employ the use of MEWPs are required to have a safe use plan in place for their organization. “A well-thought-out plan can help keep everyone working around MEWPs safe by reinforcing best practices on the job, provides help identifying risks, and making sure employees know what steps should be taken if something unexpected happens,” says Owyen.

According to the new MEWP standards, a safe use plan specific to MEWPs must address the following:

• Risk assessment to identify hazards, evaluate risks, develop control measures, and communicate with everyone affected
• Planning of operation that includes rescue procedures for the safe recovery of persons and/or the MEWP in the event of an emergency
• The selection, provision, and use of an appropriate MEWP for the task as well as any work equipment associated with it
• MEWP inspections and repairs as required by the applicable standards and the manufacturer
• MEWP usage: Operator training and certification, familiarity with specific MEWP in use, understanding of local site requirement, proper supervision, preventative measures for unauthorized usage, safety guidelines for anyone working near a MEWP and properly documenting all relevant job-related data

“One of the biggest challenges facing our industry today is how to increase awareness about why safety training is so important,” says Owyen. “As the industry is preparing to implement the new ANSI and CSA standards changes, customers need to understand their responsibilities regarding training requirements for MEWPs. And this understanding cannot be limited to what they’re required by law and enforced by OSHA to do, but that they know there are very good reasons for the training to keep their operators safe.”

For tips on how to create a safe use plan that complies with the new MEWP standards, customers can download the Genie MEWP Safe Use Plan Guidance whitepaper at: https://aerialpros.genielift.com/mewp-safe-use-plan/.

To watch the new Genie Big Changes MEWP music video, visit: https://youtu.be/6vQYztvFKmE.

To learn more, information and additional resources are available at www.genielift.com/en/support/ansia92-csab354.