Highlighting Industry Best Practices

In February of 2010, an group of industry professionals released a document called Statement of Best Practices of General Training and Familiarization for Aerial Work Platform Equipment. This 20-page document aims to educate everyone in the industry about several important aspects of AWP training.

One of the most common misunderstandings is the difference between general training and familiarization. Page 11 of the document has a very helpful table that clears up this issue perfectly, and page 14 has a more detailed table. In the simplest form, familiarization refers to “a specific model” of machine, whereas general training would be for “multiple pieces of equipment of a particular type.”

Other excellent additions are tables outlining the responsibilities of the manufacturer, dealer, user, and operator as far as general training, and a review of compliance requirements.

This document does an excellent job of consolidating current information and delivering an accessible document for the industry as far as best practices.

The Institute and AWPT recommend that all aerial lift operators and managers have access to this document to further understand their safety and training responsibilities.