How the New ANSI A92 MEWP Standards Improve Design, Safety, and Training

The mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) industry is undergoing its most significant regulatory transformation in decades. With existing standards last revised in 2006, the ANSI/SAIA A92 suite of standards, encompassing the A92.20 design standard, the A92.22 safe use standard, and the A92.24 training standard, introduces sweeping changes that affect manufacturers, rental companies, supervisors, and operators alike. These new requirements, effective June 1, represent the most substantial updates since the original standards were first published in the 1970s. For anyone involved in powered access, these changes are essential knowledge. Read about the 10 Key Benefits of Joining the International Powered Access Federation IPAF and how the federation supports industry-wide safety improvements.

Key Design Changes Under the ANSI A92.20 Standard

The A92.20 standard governs the design, calculations, safety requirements, and test methods for all MEWPs manufactured on or after the effective date. Operators may never read the specification itself, but they will notice the effects on every new machine. The design changes target three critical areas: platform loading, physical guarding, and machine stability.

Platform Load-Sensing Systems

One of the most impactful improvements is the introduction of mandatory platform load-sensing systems. Every new MEWP must now incorporate technology that continuously monitors the weight placed in the platform.

1. If the operator exceeds the rated workload, a visual and audible alarm activates immediately.
2. Normal control functions become limited, preventing the operator from continuing unsafe operation.
3. The system forces the operator to address the overload before resuming work.

This is a meaningful step forward from previous standards, where overload warnings relied solely on operator awareness.

Guard Rail Height and Gate Requirements

The increase in minimum guard rail height is one of the most visible design changes. On certain scissor lift models, the higher rail requirement means the machine can no longer pass through a standard doorway when fully lowered. Manufacturers have responded with innovative solutions:

• Some manufacturers lower the scissor stack into the chassis to reduce overall height.
• Others have introduced folding guard rails that collapse for transport and transit.
• Chain gates are no longer permitted at platform entrances on scissor lifts. Only solid rail gates are allowed.
• All platform entrances must now include a toe board.
• The gate must either return automatically to the closed position or be interlocked to prevent MEWP operation until it is securely closed.

Stability and Wind Force Compliance

Stability requirements have been significantly tightened. In addition to the existing tilt sensor alarm, MEWPs will now automatically prevent certain movements when the machine reaches its allowable chassis inclination limits. Simply ignoring the alarm will no longer allow continued movement in the direction of the exceeded slope.

New stability design testing and wind force requirements have also led to measurable changes in machine specifications:

Many rough terrain scissor and boom lifts now require foam-filled tires to meet the new stability criteria. Manufacturers are offering models with selectable indoor or outdoor modes. When operating outdoors, where wind speeds up to 28 mph are considered, the platform capacity may drop from two persons to one, and the maximum allowable platform height may be reduced. For example, a machine rated for 30 ft indoors may be limited to 27 ft outdoors. Despite concerns that over-regulation could stifle innovation, the introduction of drivable booms reaching 210 ft shows that the standards can successfully accommodate both greater safety and more capable machines. To understand how these regulatory shifts affect broader safety practices, see how New ANSI A92 MEWP Standards Reshape Powered Access Safety Training and Compliance across the industry.

Building a Comprehensive MEWP Safe Use Plan Under A92.22

The A92.22 safe use standard marks a fundamental shift in how employers and users approach MEWP safety. If your current safety plan consists of training an operator, renting a machine, and sending them to work, that approach no longer meets the standard. The new standard introduces the requirement for a formal MEWP-specific safe use plan that addresses the responsibilities of everyone involved, from the employer to the platform occupant.

Elements of a MEWP Safe Use Plan

The safe use plan must be developed by a qualified person and must include the following components:

• A site risk assessment that identifies hazards, evaluates risk, and communicates findings.
• Selection and provision of a suitable MEWP and associated equipment.
• Site access preparation and maintenance, including verifying the support surface can bear the MEWP weight.
• MEWP maintenance, inspections, and repairs per the standard and manufacturer.
• Only trained and authorized personnel operate or occupy the MEWP.
• Familiarization of operators with the specific MEWP model.
• Informing operators of site requirements with warnings and protective measures.
• Trained supervisors to monitor operator performance and ensure compliance.
• Prevention of unauthorized MEWP use.
• Safety of persons not involved in MEWP operation.
• Complete documentation of all the above.

The Risk Assessment and Rescue Plan

The risk assessment is the foundation of the safe use plan. It must follow a structured sequence of stages:

1. Identify the task to be undertaken.
2. Select an appropriate MEWP for the task.
3. Assess the risks associated with the task.
4. Identify control measures to mitigate those risks.
5. Identify safe work procedures.
6. Develop a site rescue plan.
7. Communicate the results to all affected parties.

A critical component of the risk assessment is the rescue plan. Calling 911 is not a rescue plan, especially for MEWP operations. A worker stranded 180 ft in the air may present a situation that even emergency responders are not equipped to handle in a timely manner. The standard requires consideration of three rescue approaches:

• Self-rescue — The occupant can safely lower themselves using platform controls.
• Assisted rescue — Another trained person on site can operate the ground controls to bring the platform down.
• Professional rescue — External emergency services are called for situations neither self-rescue nor assisted rescue can address.

The Critical Role of the MEWP Supervisor

One of the most significant requirements introduced by the A92.22 standard is the formal recognition of the MEWP supervisor role. Implementing a MEWP-specific safe use plan requires more than simply training operators. The employer must designate trained and qualified supervisors who can monitor operator performance and ensure compliance with the safe use plan.

Supervisor Responsibilities

The employer must address these questions through their designated supervisor:

• Who performs the risk assessment?
• Who selects the MEWP for each specific task?
• Who identifies safe work procedures?
• Who ensures the correct personal protective equipment is available?
• Who ensures the safe use plan is in place and followed?

The answer is the employer, acting through an authorized MEWP supervisor. The supervisor is the foundation of the entire safe use plan. They ensure procedures are in place, communicated, and followed daily.

Supervisor Training Requirements

MEWP supervisor training is a required qualification under the new standards. The training is 100 percent theory-based and can be delivered either by a qualified instructor in a classroom setting or through an online eLearning interactive course. Given workplace exposure concerns, online training has become a preferred delivery method. It can be taken anytime with internet access at the trainee’s own pace.

Supervisor training must cover:

• Proper MEWP selection for different tasks and work environments.
• The rules, regulations, and standards that apply to MEWP use.
• Potential hazards associated with MEWP operation and means to protect against them.
• The importance of the manufacturer’s operation manuals.
• How to assess operator proficiency and conduct performance evaluations.

A MEWP supervisor need not also be an operator, but operator experience helps when assessing performance and identifying unsafe practices. To explore how these supervisory responsibilities translate into tangible business outcomes, read about How IPAF Membership Elevates Safety and Business Performance in Powered Access Operations and the value of a comprehensive safety culture.

Training Requirements Under the ANSI A92.24 Standard

The A92.24 training standard addresses the methods and guidelines for preparing training materials, defining administrative criteria, and delivering proper training. While not new, the standard introduces structured guidelines that raise the bar for compliant training.

Operator Training Standards

The idea that operator training can happen when a rental MEWP is delivered is no longer acceptable. Machine familiarization may occur at delivery, but full training requires more planning. The standard requires:

• Qualified trainers with proven competence to deliver instruction.
• Required content for both theory and hands-on practical training.
• Adherence to guidelines for the training environment, covering both classroom and practical settings.
• Formal testing to verify comprehension and skill acquisition.
• Complete documentation of all training activities and outcomes.

Operator training now covers more than just safe movement. It includes daily machine inspections, workplace inspections, routine maintenance such as tire checks and battery charging, and delivering occupant knowledge to anyone riding in the platform.

MEWP Occupant Knowledge

The standard requires that MEWP occupants receive the knowledge to work safely from the platform, including operating controls in an emergency. This instruction does not authorize the occupant to operate controls outside a genuine emergency.

Category-Based Training Structure

Under the new standards, MEWP operator training is organized by machine category. For example, where a scissor lift operator previously required training under ANSI A92.6, they now require training under A92.22 or A92.24 for category 3a (mobile vertical MEWP). The supervisor must ensure that operators are trained for the correct category of MEWP selected for the task, familiarized with the specific model selected, and qualified to perform the required task.

A manual of responsibilities, outlining duties of MEWP users and supervisors, must be stored on the MEWP at all times.

The ANSI A92 suite represents a comprehensive overhaul of the MEWP safety framework. From platform load sensors to structured risk assessments and formal supervisor qualifications, the new requirements create layers of protection that did not exist before. Employers who invest in understanding and implementing them will build a safer, more productive workplace for everyone working at height. For additional context on how systematic safety approaches apply across construction disciplines, read about Highway Safety Road Safety Audits Crash Analysis Countermeasure Selection and Safety Performance Functions and the principles that connect safety management across industries.