Inaugural SAIA AWP Operator Training in Vegas

Words: Granville Loar, Steve Smith, Laurie Weber, Bob BackerThe Scaffold & Access Industry Association (SAIA) will host their inaugural Aerial Work Platform (AWP) Operator Training Class on February 14, 2013 immediately following The Rental Show in Las Vegas.

The AWP Operator Training class is a result of a SAIA focus group, lead by AWP Council Chair, Bob Backer. The focus group was brought together to work on OSHA alliance AWP products. Through this work the group realized the SAIA needed to fill a void of AWP training in the United States.

The AWP Operator Training Class was built to meet the requirements outlined in the ANSI/ASC A92 Aerial Work Platform Standards, OSHA requirements and the “Statement o f Best Practices of General Training and Familiarization for Aerial Work Platforms Equipment” released by the SAIA along with contributing organization, American Rental Association (ARA), Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) and International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) in February 2010. This document is available for a complimentary download at www.saiaonline.org/UserFiles/file/AWP_FINAL2.pdf.

Steve Smith, SAIA Immediate-Past President, summarizes the program by stating, “Many users of Aerial Work Platform (AWP) equipment only receive minimal familiarization when the equipment is delivered to the jobsite and most are certainly not being properly trained to operate AWP equipment safely.

“The industry needed an up-to-date AWP operator training program, specifically geared towards the North American market. Last year the SAIA committed the necessary resources and contracted with members of our SAIA AWP Council, who are experts in the use of and the training on AWP equipment, to create the new SAIA AWP Training Program.

“I am very pleased to report that just nine months later, we have a world-class training program available to the industry. We have now committed the additional resources to promote the program to rental companies and users of AWP equipment in whatever industry it may be used.

“The theme of the program is "Don't be a statistic; Get operator training" and remember, a trained employee is a safer employee.”

Currently the SAIA has AWP training classes scheduled in 15 cities over the next nine months. The AWP training will also be offered through the SAIA’s industry-recognized Accredited Training Institute (ATI) Program. The AWP Operator Training program will add to the current SAIA University training class portfolio that includes Competent Person and Hazard Awareness for Frame, Supported, Suspended, System Scaffold and Mast Climber Operator Training.

To learn more about the AWP class, future class schedules or how to become an ATI please visit the SAIA University section of the Website www.saiaonline.org/training or www.saiaonline.org/events.

If you have any questions, contact Laurie Weber, Executive Director, at laurie@saiaonline.org, or Granville Loar, Director of Education & Training at granville@saiaonline.org, or by telephone at 816-595-4860.
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