Genie invites customers to ask questions and get answers about operator training for aerial work platforms (AWPs), or mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs), during its Ask Me Anything (AMA) event, December 4-8, 2017. On Monday, December 4th, Genie will post an AMA prompt on the Genie Aerial Pros AMA Event page, as well as will be shared on social media simultaneously, to garner questions. The post will stay open, or live, for questions and comments through Friday, December 8th. The goal of this event is to educate customers on how the new CSA B354 and proposed ANSI A92 standards in North America will impact aerial operator training.

According to Scott Owyen, Genie training manager for Terex AWP, the proposed ANSI A92 standards have very specific language regarding operator training for MEWPs. The approved CSA B354 standards contain similar statements. The new language includes statements such as:

• Only personnel who have received training compliance with this Standard regarding the inspection, application, and operation of MEWPs (including recognition and avoiding of hazards associated with their operation) shall be authorized to operate a MEWP. 

• The manufacturer shall develop and offer training materials that will aid dealers, owners, users, supervisors, operators, and occupants to comply with their responsibilities for training and familiarization as outlined in the standards. 

• Dealers and owners shall offer familiarization at delivery to the person designated by the receiving entity for receiving the MEWP, unless user has made alternate arrangements with the dealer or owner.

With changing industry safety standards (ANSI/CSA) and the increased focus on safety and load sense, customers are asking questions about how those changes will impact them and what benefits the XC line offers them. Attention to these changes and new extra capacity (XC) offerings have caused some possible misperceptions about XC, and the company wants to address any concerns with additional XC models coming out in late 2017 and 2018.

Ahead of this event, Genie encourages customers and key stakeholders to gain preliminary information on this topic through a video presentation, which can be accessed through the Genie AMA Event Presentation. Additional information and resources can be found at aerialpros.genielift.com.

Genie Lift Pro training courses are designed to qualify operators in the safe use of MEWPs. The program is designed to provide additional training techniques and information to trainers, giving them the ability to deliver a successful Genie operator training course to other operators. The course is delivered using curriculum that combines both formal and hands-on training, including (but not limited to):

• The purpose and use of operator’s, owner’s and service manuals, as well as of placards and decals

• A pre-start inspection

• Responsibilities of operating an aerial platform

• Factors affecting stability

• Workplace inspection

• Safety rules and regulations

• Authorization to operate

• Operator warnings and instructions

• Actual operation of the aerial platform. Trainees operate the MEWP for a sufficient period of time to demonstrate proficiency in the actual operation of the equipment.