Will you be up to code? Although ANSI has pushed back the deadline from December to early 2020, it's still the perfect time to start transitioning your equipment. Employers, owners and operators now have until March 2020 to be in compliance with the new ANSI A92.22 standards.
Released in December 2018, the new standards affect the owners, operators and supervisors of all mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs). Designed to enhance safety and better align North American standards with international standards, they place greater responsibility on the owner/user to ensure the safe operation of all MEWPs on a job site.
Two significant areas of change include the retention of inspection records and fall protection. These are the first major changes to the standard in more than a decade.
Inspection Record Retention
ANSI's new standards call for several new changes to how records are retained. Section 4.4 requires that the owner (or entity designated by the owner) keeps all records regarding inspections performed for four years. These records should include the date of the inspection, any deficiencies found, corrective action accomplished and the identification of the person(s) performing the inspections and repairs.
Frequent Inspections
Section 5.3 details when frequent inspections must be performed and what must be inspected. The standard places responsibility for ensuring the inspections are completed on the owner. It also outlines who must perform the inspection and what items must be covered in the inspection, including the following:
- all functions and controls
- all chains and cable mechanisms
- all safety guards
- instructions, warnings and control markings are in place and legible
- audible and visible alarms
Annual Inspections
Section 5.4 describes the annual inspection process in more detail. Again, the burden of responsibility is placed on the owner. Owners are required to ensure that annual inspections are performed by a qualified person and be no later than thirteen (13) months from the date of the prior one. Furthermore, the owner must ensure that a means for identifying the date of the last annual inspection and inspection interval is maintained on the MEWP. TVH's log books and annual inspection decals, which meet or exceed OSHA standards, can help you stay in compliance with Standard 5.4.2.
Fall Protection
MEWPs working at height should follow special precautions in order to ensure the safety of the occupants. ANSI has introduced several changes to the standard to help ensure the safe operation of elevated work platforms.
The two most important changes regarding fall protection include:
- For Group A devices, the guardrail system must be used. If the user is also required to use personal fall protection equipment (PFPE), such as by the employer, local job site or government regulations, the operators and occupants must comply with and use the manufacturer provided anchorage point(s)
- For Group B devices, all operators and occupants are required to use properly anchored PFPE at all times
For manually propelled and self-propelled vertical lifts, the platform guardrails are sufficient fall protection. For boom lifts, in addition to the guardrails, operators and occupants are required to wear PFPE. For boom-supported MEWPs, operators and occupants must wear PFPE that:
- Doesn't allow the wearer to fall more than 6 ft (1.8 m)
- Doesn't allow the wearer to experience more than 1,800 lb (816 kg) arresting force
- Doesn't allow the wearer to come into contact with any lower surface
TVH's large selection of safety harnesses and lanyards can help you meet the new fall protection requirements outlined in Standard 6.8.1.
As you are preparing to bring your MEWPs into compliance with the new standards, look to TVH as your one-stop-shop for all of you needs. Not only does TVH carry inspection decals and fall harnesses/lanyards to ensure you meet the new standards, we also carry everything you need to keep your equipment running in optimal condition. Visit us at TVH.com or contact your sales representative for more information.