Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), including boom lifts, scissor lifts, and vehicle-mounted aerial devices, are essential tools in many industries.
But they also pose serious risks when not used properly. That’s why OSHA and ANSI have strict standards around MEWP safety and training. If you're an employer, it’s your responsibility to ensure your team is trained, compliant, and protected.
In this post, we’ll break down the most important MEWP standards, explain OSHA’s expectations, and show how National Safety Compliance training programs can make your training efforts simple, effective, and affordable.
What Are MEWPs?
MEWPs are machines used to lift workers and equipment to elevated work areas. The most common types include:
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Scissor lifts
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Boom lifts (articulating or telescopic)
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Vertical lifts
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Vehicle-mounted aerial devices
Each of these machines introduces risks like falls, tip-overs, entrapment, and electrocution. That’s why OSHA and ANSI both emphasize that operators and supervisors must receive proper safety training before using them.
MEWP Safety Standards: What’s Changed?
In 2020, ANSI updated its A92 standards for MEWPs to improve safety and clarify training requirements.
ANSI A92 standards are voluntary consensus standards, not OSHA regulations. OSHA enforces MEWP safety through its own rules: in construction, the Aerial Lift Standard (29 CFR 1926.453) and the scaffold requirements in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L, which OSHA applies to scissor lifts; in general industry, 29 CFR 1910.67 for vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms. OSHA can also point to ANSI standards as evidence of recognized good practice during inspections.
Updates include:
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New MEWP classifications based on machine design (Group A/B and Type 1/2/3)
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Stricter training requirements for operators, occupants, and supervisors
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Pre-use inspections and maintenance documentation
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Safe use planning, including hazard assessments
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Emphasis on fall protection systems and rescue planning
Fall protection rules on lifts depend on the equipment type and the industry. For the height thresholds that apply across construction and general industry, see our guide to OSHA Fall Protection Height Requirements: Construction, General Industry, and Special Cases.
If your organization hasn’t updated its MEWP training program in the last few years, now’s the time!
OSHA & ANSI Training Requirements for MEWP Operators
Both OSHA and ANSI require that operators be trained before using a MEWP. Under ANSI A92.22 and A92.24, training must cover the type of MEWP being used and include familiarization with the specific model and the job environment.
Here's what’s expected:
For Operators:
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Understanding of machine types and capabilities
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Safe use practices, including load limits and stability
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Fall protection setup and usage
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Emergency procedures and rescue planning
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Inspection checklists before use
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Hazard recognition and avoidance
Important Tip: OSHA may issue citations if training is not documented or doesn’t meet the equipment-specific requirements.
For Supervisors:
Supervisors must also be trained to recognize hazards, enforce safe practices, and evaluate whether employees are qualified to operate the equipment safely. ANSI A92.24 also calls for occupants (workers riding on the platform who do not operate it) to be trained on safe use and emergency procedures.
What Happens If You Skip Required Training?
Failing to train MEWP operators and supervisors isn’t just risky, it can be a direct OSHA violation.
Common consequences include:
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OSHA citations and fines
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Increased liability for workplace accidents
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Higher workers’ compensation claims
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Damage to the company’s reputation
Worst of all, untrained workers face a higher risk of serious injury or death. In industries where MEWPs are common, safety training isn’t optional. It’s critical.
What Should Your MEWP Training Program Include?
A comprehensive MEWP training program should include both theoretical and practical components. NSC’s MEWP safety training programs cover the classroom topics that OSHA and ANSI A92 expect operators to understand.
Topics covered include:
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Classification of MEWPs and equipment types
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Worksite risk assessment and safe use planning
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Fall prevention systems and their use
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Safe operation techniques in various environments
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Emergency planning and rescue
Training must be evaluated and documented. ANSI A92.24 also calls for practical, hands-on training under a qualified person, plus familiarization on each MEWP model an operator will use.
Neither OSHA nor ANSI sets a fixed expiration date for MEWP training. Instead, retraining is required when:
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An operator demonstrates unsafe behavior
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An incident or near miss reveals a training gap
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An operator is assigned a different type of MEWP
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Jobsite conditions change
Many employers and training providers set a refresher cycle, often every three years, as a company practice. That interval is a policy choice, not an OSHA or ANSI requirement.
How NSC Makes MEWP Training Simple
National Safety Compliance offers MEWP training programs that are easy to use and available in multiple formats.
Top MEWP Safety Training Programs:
NSC Training Program Kits Include:
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A PowerPoint presentation and quiz
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An attendance log for documenting training
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English & Spanish versions
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Streaming (30-day or 1-year), DVD, USB, and MP4 license formats
Training Many Topics? Consider the All Access Pass:
If one trainer or supervisor needs to train your organization on MEWPs and other safety topics, the All Access Pass may be a better fit than individual kits:
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One-year subscription to 50+ training courses in English and Spanish
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Unlimited use by one trainer or supervisor to train your entire organization, with no per-attendee charge
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Includes all updates and new releases during the subscription period
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Covers training courses only; posters and publications are sold separately
Frequently Asked Questions About MEWP Training
Are ANSI’s MEWP standards legally binding?
No. ANSI standards are not law, but OSHA often references them during inspections. Following ANSI’s A92 guidelines is considered a best practice for compliance and safety.
Does MEWP training expire?
Not on a fixed schedule. Neither OSHA nor ANSI A92.24 sets an expiration date. Retraining is required when an operator is observed operating unsafely, is involved in an incident or near miss, is assigned a different type of MEWP, or when workplace conditions change. Many employers set a refresher cycle (often three years) as company policy, and some training providers print their own expiration dates on operator cards.
Is online or video training enough for MEWP compliance?
Video training covers the classroom portion: principles, hazards, and safe operating rules. ANSI A92.24 also requires practical, hands-on training and familiarization on the specific MEWP, so pair video instruction with a hands-on evaluation by a qualified person. NSC’s training program kits include quizzes and attendance logs to help you document the classroom portion.
Is there one program for both scissor and boom lifts?
NSC offers Aerial & Scissor Lift programs covering safe use and training requirements, plus a separate Aerial Devices program for vehicle-mounted equipment. Browse the aerial and scissor lift training collection to compare them.
Stay Ahead of MEWP Safety Compliance
Whether you’re in construction or manufacturing and warehousing, NSC training programs make it easier to train your workforce, meet OSHA requirements, and prevent avoidable lift incidents.
If your crews also work around cranes, hoists, and rigging, see our guide to the Best OSHA Crane Safety Training Resources for Maintaining Construction and Industrial Compliance Standards.
Explore our Aerial & Scissor Lift Training Collection for ready-to-use training programs.
Need training across many topics? The All Access Pass gives one trainer or supervisor unlimited use of NSC’s full course library to train your entire crew for a year. Have questions about our products? Contact us.