FAQs
WHAT DO ASC AND A92 STAND FOR?
ASC stands for “Accredited Standards Committee” and A92 is the name of the series of standards. “ASC A92 – Aerial Platforms Committee” is the official title of the consensus body that was approved by ANSI for standard development.
WHAT IS A STANDARD?
A standard is a document that is established by consensus that provides rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results. (As defined in ISO/IEC Guide 2:2004.)
WHAT ARE A92 STANDARDS?
Consensus (industry) standards that are voluntarily used by manufactures, dealers, owners, users, and operators of aerial platforms. The purpose of the standards is the prevention of accidents and injuries, as well as establishing criteria for the manufacturers. The standards also aid the manufacturers, dealers, owners, users, and operators of the platforms in understanding their various responsibilities.
WHAT ARE ANSI AND SAIA?
ANSI is the Parent organization for a wide variety of standards which govern the way many American products are made and used. Today, there are approximately 9,500 American National Standards that have been developed and approved in accordance with the ANSI Essential Requirements. ANSI standards have also been used as a worldwide pattern for standards in many instances. ANSI is also the official U.S. representative in the International Standards Organization (ISO,) which writes standards with worldwide application.
The SAIA is a non-profit trade 501(c)(6) association committed to raising the standards of professionalism within the scaffold and access industry. The SAIA represents all facets of the scaffold and access industry through various councils that include aerial work platform, construction hoist, fall protection equipment, international, industrial, mast climbing, plank and platform, supported scaffold, and suspended scaffold. Through its various programs, the SAIA promotes safety, training, and a highly professional and responsible image of the scaffold and access profession. The SAIA delivers hundreds of safety training programs each year at various locations throughout the world.
The SAIA has been accredited in accordance with ANSI’s consensus procedures to develop American National Standards. Accreditation ensures adherence to ANSI’s cardinal principles as defined in their essential requirements.
HOW IS THE GROUP ORGANIZED?
The ASC A92 Main Committee is the consensus body approved through ANSI. The ASC A92 Main Committee reports to ANSI through its Secretariat, the SAIA.
In addition, the A92 Main Committee oversees eight subcommittees assigned to develop, revise, maintain, and address issues related to a specific standard. Each subcommittee reports to the ASC A92 Main Committee.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE A92 CONCENSUS BODY?
The consensus body was created “To develop safety guidelines for the design, construction, testing, maintenance, inspection, training, use and operation of elevating and rotating aerial devices, work platforms and vertical devices primarily used to position personnel.”
WHO OR WHAT MAKES UP THE COMMITTEE?
The goal is to make each committee a balance of interested classes. The classifications are as follows: Consumers/Users, Directly Affected Public, Distributors/Dealers, Experts, Government, Industrial/Commercial, Insurance, Labor, Manufacturers, Professional Societies, Regulatory Agencies, Testing Laboratories, Not-for-Profit, and Component Manufacturers.
The Main Committee is made up of companies and organizations. Each member assigns a representative, with the option of an alternate representative. Membership on the subcommittee is individual-based. Membership on the Main Committee is not contingent upon membership on a subcommittee and vice versa.
WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE MEETINGS?
The ASC A92 Main Committee meets annually in October with coinciding subcommittee meetings. Subcommittees may call meetings at other times throughout the year. Consideration is given to minimizing expense and inconvenience, and often a meeting will be held in conjunction with a major tradeshow.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE MAIN COMMITTEE MEETING?
The main committee votes on and provides input on the work of its subcommittees. It also votes on membership and officers.
HOW DOES THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE GET DONE?
The formal meetings are lively discussions of issues before the committee. Much of the preparation is done ahead of time, and draft language is mailed and commented on prior to meetings. Informal meetings and phone calls often prepare members for the meetings. Balloting on proposed language is done by email.
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