Rick Smith
Senior Director of Product Training
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JLG Industries
Although no longer new (went into effect June 2020), we continue to get lots of questions about how the updated ANSI A92.20 standards in the U.S. (CSA B354 in Canada) affect our machine (re)designs, training programs and other initiatives.
It is important for the industry to know that these standards continue to influence machine designs, as well as training and safe use requirements — these were not a one-and-done implementation.
Thanks to the numerous delays prior to the effective date, JLG had plenty of time to plan for, test and even evolve the equipment design changes required to meet the A92 suite of standards, including load and terrain sensing, as well as indoor/outdoor restrictions. We have confidently brought to market what we feel are industry leading modifications that add tangible value to our customers. With the user in mind and an eye towards improving productivity and safety, our customers have been eager to stock JLG A92-compliant units.
But, our organizational focus wasn’t only on equipment modifications, we also took the initiative to educate our customers and the industry about the new standards — and, we continue to do so today.
At this point, everyone should be trained to the current standards. Written Safe Use programs should be in place and used daily. Familiarization should be taking place on any A92.20-designed machine to cover the new controls and operating characteristics including load sensing, and equipment owners have implemented programs to regularly evaluate operators.
Looking ahead, these standards aren’t the only industry trends impacting the market today. What we see coming are a lot of changes in environmental regulations, particularly in urban areas and city centers where there are increasingly more restrictions on emissions and noise pollution, that will impact how MEWPs are selected, as well as used, in certain areas/regions. These regulations are accelerating the drive towards electrified products.
Electrification is not new — in fact, many JLG products, including our slab scissor lifts and vertical lifts, have been electrified for more than 20 years — but mainly in industrial applications. Today, demand for more eco-friendly (i.e. “green”) products is pushing for the adoption of electric products into heavier construction applications, where our rough terrain scissor lift models, as well as our boom lifts are used. Over the next decade, that's where we anticipate seeing significant growth in the industry’s portfolio of electrified machines.
We also frequently get asked about what other safety concerns may be affecting the MEWP market, and of course, what training is out there to help.
In the U.S., the ANSI standards continue to be the number one resource for safety guidance and best practices influencing the MEWP market. These standards are routinely reviewed and updated (the most recent going into effect June 2020) so equipment owners and end users should make themselves aware of the most current requirements.
As the industry leader, we feel it’s our obligation to continue to talk about and educate the industry on the impact of these standards updates in all three areas: Machine Design, Safe Use and Training.
In doing so, we continue to hear that many equipment end users are not aware of the standards changes. In fact, one question our sales team gets frequently asked regarding the new standards, as they relate to training, is: “How do I get certified?” This falls under A92.24 which covers MEWP training materials, defines how theoretical and practical training should be delivered and identifies required elements for proper training and familiarization.
To address this need, JLG’s AccessReady® website offers online and in-person training for supervisors and operators. All of the courses are compliant with OSHA regulations and ANSI/CSA best practices.
JLG also has a Train-the-Trainer program, which allows companies to send one safety professional to complete the course. Then, that individual can take what they’ve learned to train new and existing machine operators. All of the in-person training is conducted under expert supervision. Trainees can learn the right ways to tackle tasks in an environment where mistakes won’t prove costly.
For additional training resources and guidance available through JLG, click here. For insights and answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the current standards, click here.
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