The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requires the employer (VSC) to ensure that employees who operate, occupy and supervise MEWP’s are trained, qualified and authorized in the intended use, safe operation, inspection, maintenance and familiarization on different models and classifications of MEWPs. To ensure compliance with these new standards and to prevent potential accidents and OSHA citations, VSC Risk Management is publishing this notice of responsibilities for VSC MEWP Operators.
OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Operators must be trained in accordance with ANSI A92 for the type and group of MEWP to be used, and be authorized by VSC using required documentation.
- Know your job tasks and possible hazards associated with the tasks.
- Select a MEWP appropriate for the job tasks. Ensure MEWP is appropriate for scope of work and site conditions.
- Verify the rental company has inspected the MEWP for use, and MEWP has a current annual inspection.
- Perform and document daily pre-use inspections.
- Report any maintenance, repairs or damage to the VSC supervisor immediately.
- Know the function of each control.
- Confirm Guard Rails are secure, Access Gate is closed or Chain is connected.
- Ensure load capacity of equipment is clearly visible and posted on the MEWP.
- Know the manufacturers operators manual (MOM) safety rules and confirm it is provided on the MEWP in a weatherproof compartment.
- Do not make any modifications without authorization.
- ENSURE OCCUPANTS have basic knowledge to work safely…Use of fall protection
- How their actions can affect Stability of equipment
- Use of accessories
- Work procedures related to operation of lift.
- Hazards related to tasks
- Purpose and function of controls
- MOM’s warnings and instructions
- Instruct a person who is on site to operate the lower auxiliary controls in case of emergency.
- Ensure a fall rescue plan is in place.
- Perform hazard assessment of work site conditions and job tasks involving use of MEWP.
- Know the hazards associated with the use of MEWP and the means to protect against hazards
lower control panel when in use.
Operator must be able to prevent the violations as seen here:
- Operator does not have safety glasses.
- Occupant does not have safety glasses.
- Occupant does not have fall protection.
- Occupant does not have work boots.
- Occupants foot is outside the platform.
- Operator not tied off.
OSHA can cite these six violations and the operator would be required to be re-trained.
Scope of work: Replace leaking fitting in showroom of car dealership with sales people and customers present. Perform a hazard assessment.
What do you see?