JLG is supporting a petition to the Scaffold & Access Industry Association

A number of key aerial industry stakeholders including JLG Industries have sent a petition to the Scaffold & Access Industry Association (SAIA), the secretariat for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A92 Series of standards, requesting the new standards be published by 1 March 2020, along with a request to reform the appeals process.

The petition notes that ongoing delays in the effectivity of the ANSI A92.20, .22, and .24 standards are causing unnecessary disruption and confusion in the aerial industry in the United States and in the global markets that adhere to these standards, as well as concerns over the impact that such delays will have on the users of the products to which these standards apply.

"Moreover, the appeals process used during standards promulgation, which lacks sensible procedures that allow for a finite timeline, has also contributed to the failure to formally implement the latest standards," it continues.

"While we understand and appreciate the grounds for the appeals that are currently being considered by SAIA, the continued ambiguity around the updated standards and their timing are negatively impacting the industry and must come to an end."

The petitioners call on the ASC A92 Main Committee to issue a letter ballot to make the proposed standards effective no later than 1 March 2020.

"As leaders in the construction and access equipment industry, we must all continue to drive the importance of innovation and safety across our end markets," they state.

In a statement, JLG says it has worked to support the association and its new standards, and has invested in helping educate the industry about the forthcoming changes since early 2017. "Our hope is this action will bring finality to the current appeals, create a long-term structure around the appeals process and result in the publication of the new standards."

The ANSI/SAIA A92 aerial work platform standards provide criteria for vehicle-mounted rotating and elevating work platforms, elevating aerial platforms, boom-supported elevated aerial platforms, and a series of equipment related to the aerial platform and access industry.

Manufacturer Genie recently told rental stores and MEWP operators to be prepared for changes to the design of all MEWPs that are introduced in 2020 and beyond.

It also notes that the new standards more closely align North American standards requirements with current ISO standards. "These new standards dictate how aerial equipment manufacturers serving the North American market, including Genie and its competitors, address wind ratings, chassis angle and load capacity on MEWPs," Genie says.