The Statement of Best Practices of General Training and Familiarization for Aerial Work Platform Equipment is a first-of-its-kind industry initiative to develop an educational document to clarify what is required for general training and model-specific familiarization of aerial work platform (AWP) equipment.  

It was launched in February 2010 by the American Rental Association (ARA), the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and the Scaffold Industry Association (SIA). 

The content addresses: 

• Educating the industry on the industry-recognized-and-supported standards, including the American National Standards Institute/Scaffold Industry Association (ANSI/SIA) A92 Standards and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
• Presenting best practices and minimum general training guidelines for AWP operators.
• Emphasizing the differences between general training and familiarization to all parties responsible.
• Clarifying minimum qualifications of the trainer.

The purpose of this joint initiative and document is the increased safe use of AWP equipment and expanded risk management knowledge for use of these machines.