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AWP Training 3: Trainer Attributes, Dealer Roles and Record Retention

Posted by Joshua Fleishman on Mon, Oct 14, 2013 @ 11:00 AM

In today's article, we will finish up our topic of AWPs, or aerial work platforms, with information on the roles of the trainer and of the dealer. Previously, we discussed 'Tips, Training, and Current Issues' and 'Compliance, Training and Familiarization'

Role of the Trainer

As we stated in a previous article, the ANSI A92 Standards have already defined a qualified person. This relates to both operators and trainers:

Qualified person. One who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his/her ability to solve or resolve problems related to the subject matter, the work, or the project.”

Attributes

Per the “Statement of Best Practices of General Training and Familiarization for Aerial Work Platform Equipment,” here is a suggested list of attributes a trainer will need in order to successfully educate operators:

Skills/Knowledge

    • Must know the rules, regulations and standards.AWP training, aerial lift training, osha training, safety training
    • Needs to have knowledge of the equipment, the operator safety manual, warning decals and placards.
    • Possess awareness of potential hazards and the means to protect against identified hazards.
    • Be able to identify and avoid potential workplace hazards.
    • Understands manufacturer’s guidelines for proper/improper use and application of the equipment.
    • Knows the consequences of improper use and application of the equipment.
    • Has a good safety record that is based on consistent implementation of the rules.

Communication

    • Possess good communication and presentation skills when speaking with groups or individuals.
    • Knows and understands the teaching methods and learning styles of adult learners.
    • Be able to obtain acknowledgement from the operator that he/she can implement the training.
    • Has the ability to deliver training in a manner and language appropriate to ensure understanding by the audience.

Qualities

    • awp training, aerial lift training, osha training, safety trainingPossesses a concern for the welfare of others so trainers can serve as a safety advocate.
    • Be intuitive and perceptive with people, i.e., can “read” the audience.
    • Works in a confident and honest manner with people.
       

Role of the Dealer

If you were to rent aerial equipment, you may wonder what the role of the dealer who provides you with the rental equipment is. Do they provide training? Familiarization?
 

General Training

boom lift training, aerial lift, boom lift, awp training, aerial lift trainingIt is the dealer’s responsibility to assist its customers in identifying training resources in order to satisfy its operator training obligations. Some dealers may provide training for their customers; others may choose to offer other training resources such as recommending a training company or getting the customer information on the manufacturer. Potential training resources are any entity offering instruction by a qualified instructor following an appropriate training program. This may be the manufacturer, rental company, independent training company or internal resources of the employer who rented the equipment. 

ANSI/SIA A92 Standards Section 5.7 (Responsibilities of Dealers) state:

Training. The dealer shall offer appropriate training to facilitate owners, users, and operators to comply with requirements set forth in this standard regarding inspection, maintenance, use, application, and operation of the aerial platform.”

Nothing states that the dealer must accomplish this training itself. Remember, the responsibility for conducting proper operator training has always been on the user and the individual employer. The dealer must offer training or direct the customer to a selection of reasonably available resources to ensure proper training of the customer’s personnel.
 

Familiarization

It is the dealer/rental company’s responsibility to provide familiarization to the designated person(s) receiving the equipment.

ANSI/SIA A92.5 and A92.6 Standards Section 5.8 (Responsibilities of Dealers) state:awp training, scissor lift, scissor lift training, aerial lifts, aerial lift training, genie scissor

Familiarization upon delivery. Upon delivery by sale, lease, rental or any form of use, the dealer shall have the responsibility with the person designated by the receiving entity for accepting the aerial platform to:
    1. Identify the weather resistant compartment (for manual(s)
      storage).
    2. Confirm that the manual(s), as specified by the manufacturer, are on the aerial platform.
    3. Review control functions.
    4. Review safety devices specific to the model aerial platform being delivered.”


Record Retention

Whenever general training or familiarization takes place, documentation should be made to verify that said training/familiarization has been completed. An optional validation of training may come in the form of a certificate or an ID card. These documents should include the information/standards trained on under ANSI/SIA A92.

Copyright All rights reserved by Dave Wilson CumbriaThe documentation (for verification) of training/familiarization should include the following information and should be retained for a period of four years as required by the ANSI/SIA A92 Standards:

  • Name of the operator or person receiving familiarization
  • Date of training/familiarization
  • Equipment covered in training/familiarization
  • Identity of the person(s) performing the training/familiarization

Image by Horrgakx on Flickr.

 

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Tags: osha training, aerial lift safety training, awp training, aerial lift training, aerial lift operator training, aerial work platform training, awp safety, scissor lift safety, boom lift training