Gregory Poole Blog

MHEDA Networking Summit

February 6, 2020

“Winning the War on Talent”

Gregory Poole is happy to host fellow MHEDA Members on Thursday, February 6^th for a one-day industry networking summit. Only $99 per person. Enjoy dynamic presentations, catered lunch, tour of our facility, Give Back Event and more! Click here to learn more.

The ANSI A92 Standard

ANSI, the American National Standards Institute, is a private, nonprofit organization that develops consensus standards and assessment systems across many U.S. industries. While they apply specifically to products in the United States, these standards are used as guidelines and best practices around the world.

With the last major changes to ANSI standards in the access industry taking place more than a decade ago in 2006, it was time for an update. The new ANSI A92 standard was developed to improve safety and efficiency for the design and use of MEWPs (MOBILE ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS), formerly known as Aerial Work Platforms. The updated ANSI A92 suite of design, safe use and training standards was published in the U.S. on Dec. 10, 2018 and will be officially effective in December 2019. These new standards more closely align North American standards requirements with current ISO standards.

Effects on Manufacturers, Owners and Operators

Within ANSI A92, there are three standards affecting the MEWP industry and its stakeholders—the A92.20, covering design; the A92.22, covering safe use; and the A92.24, covering training. Notably, manufacturers must address design changes that impact MEWP wind ratings, chassis angle and load capacity.

Under these new standards, MEWPs are classified differently. MEWPs are divided into Group A for those with platforms that move vertically but stay inside the tipping line, and Group B for all other MEWPs – typically, boom-type equipment where the platform extends past the tipping line.

Within each of these groups, machines are separated into types: Type 1 for those that travel only in the stowed position, Type 2 for those that can travel while elevated but controlled from the chassis, and Type 3 for those that can travel while elevated but controlled from the work platform.

When it comes to safe use and training, machine owners and operators will have their own sets of responsibilities with which to comply. Dealers and rental companies will need to update their training procedures and onboarding manuals to support new requirements and train employees on new machine features and the new standards. They must also offer familiarization to customers who rent, lease or buy this equipment.

Owners and operators must meet all new training requirements, participate in extensive planning to consider machine choice and application, and perform site risk assessments for all MEWP operations and training procedures.

Anyone qualified under current standards will not be qualified under the new standards until they undergo additional training. While current regulations require all operators in the industry to go through safety training, the new standards will require everyone who supervises MEWP operators to also be trained and possess in-depth knowledge of the equipment. Examples of the knowledge required by occupants includes being well-informed about hazards associated with MEWPs, unsafe ground conditions or electrical hazards, and how to properly lower the machine in case something happens to the operator.

Operator training can be broken down into three segments: theory, practice and evaluation. The theory segment can be learned in a classroom or online and includes training on the entire safe-use standard and its application to each machine. The practice segment includes applying this knowledge for proper hands-on experience and machine operation. The evaluation segment includes proper documentation of success in the previous two training segments.

The Time is Now

ANSI A92 standards were published a year in advance of the December 2019 effective date, giving companies a year to become compliant. Many companies have already begun to implement these changes. However, many have not even started.

From a training and safe-use perspective, there is no reason to wait until that deadline gets closer. Everyone involved with MEWPs – no matter the industry – should start implementing the safe use policies and practices right now.

Contact Us Today For More Information

Raleigh, NC – Gregory Poole Lift Systems has been awarded the prestigious MVP (Most Valuable Partner) Award for 2020, based on their accomplishments in 2019. For the tenth consecutive year, since the Award’s inception, Gregory Poole Lift Systems has earned an MVP Award from the industry’s trade association, MHEDA (Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association).

Award recipients must satisfy a rigorous set of criteria with less than 10% of the association’s membership earning the award. As a 2020 MVP, Gregory Poole Lift Systems has successfully demonstrated a commitment to business excellence, professionalism and good stewardship.

To qualify for the annual MVP Award companies are required to provide evidence of their commitment to their partners in business including their customers, employees and suppliers. They must satisfy criteria in the following important areas:

• Industry Advocacy
• Customer Service & Safety Practices
• Business Networking
• Continuing Education
• Business Best Practices

“To receive the prestigious MVP (Most Valuable Partner) Award for 2020 is a great honor that we at Gregory Poole Lift Systems take immense pride in. We have received this award for ten consecutive years now, making us one of only a handful of distributors in the US to achieve this honor. We continue to strive for excellence in all aspects of our business and look forward to exceeding expectations for years to come.” - Hal Ingram, Group Vice President

“Achievement of MHEDA’s MVP status represents members who have demonstrated a commitment to their business and its employees, their industry and also to the communities within which they serve,” said Mike Vaughn, 2019 MHEDA Chairman of the Board and Chief Financial Officer of Liftech Equipment Companies in East Syracuse, NY.

Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Gregory Poole Lift Systems is a full-service provider of material handling solutions throughout eastern North and South Carolina, Virginia and portions of West Virginia. For more information about Gregory Poole Lift Systems, please visit www.gregorypoolelift.com

The Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) is the only national trade association dedicated solely to improving the proficiency of the independent material handling distributor. MHEDA represents close 650 companies in the material handling equipment business. Located in suburban Chicago, the association provides services to companies seeking to improve their business through education, networking, benchmarking and best practices. For more information, visit www.mheda.org

The Rocky Mount Lift Systems operation was recognized by the NC Department of Labor for Safety Excellence. Rocky Mount completed another injury free year in 2018 and was presented with a Certificate of Excellence by Secretary Cheri Berry (North Carolina Commissioner of Labor). Pictured with the Secretary are Keith Gay (Safety Steering Team Leader), Robin Skillen (Branch Manager), and Wayne Beal (Regional Operations Manager). Congratulations Rocky Mount for another injury free year!

New comfort meets unparalleled durability. MC-480 models get superior upgrades in all the right places.

You spoke. We listened. And now the best burden carriers in the materials handling industry are better than ever before! There are countless hard-working folks out there who basically spend their entire work shift sitting behind the wheel of a MC-480 electric burden carrier. So, when you told us you wanted a roomier “office”, we got right on it. Our revamped MC-480 models now boast a more spacious and ergonomic driver compartment complete with tilted steering wheel with full console and taller, more comfortable premium seats. And that’s not all. While we were at it, we added a number of other value-boosting upgrades to our versatile MC-480 LD and elite MC-480 models.

Latest upgrades to our AC powertrain MC-480 models

• Roomier driver compartment, with an extra 3 inches of leg space for greater comfort when driving and more ease getting in and out of the vehicle
• Premium high-back seats – far more comfortable than bucket seats
• Improved steering, with a tilted steering column for a more ergonomic and natural driving posture to reduce operator fatigue and strain
• Complete console on steering column to put all controls and displays conveniently right where your fingers and eyes are.
• Longer warranty, with 3 years (or 3,000 hours) – among the best warranties in the industry
• Extra storage & safety, with a large under-deck storage compartment (11.5 ft³) with hinged panel for easy access, as well as a 2 inch deck edge with 10 anchor points to hold cargo securely in place
• Redesigned front bumper, with Motrec signature recessed lights and rubber bumpers to better protect the vehicle from damage
• Smarter charging, with relocated plug for easier access and LED charge indicator to quickly see the battery’s state of charge

For more than 30 years, Motrec has focused solely on building electric industrial vehicles that offer rugged designs and reliable performance. These upgrades are further proof why Motrec is known as the expert in horizontal transportation.