This past June 13, 2024, AEM (Association of Equipment Manufacturers) hosted over 40 officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Region 5 office for a demonstration of equipment focused on above-ground worker safety.
The event was held at the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 Apprenticeship and Skills Improvement Program in Willington, Illinois. AEM member companies Elliott Equipment, Liebherr, Link-Belt, Manitou, and Tadano, along with industry partners International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and United Rental, were on-site to highlight the safety features engineered into cranes, telehandlers, and mobile-elevated work platforms, as well as the scope of current industry standards.
“Safety is a priority, and it’s everyone’s responsibility,” said Sara Feuling, the AEM Senior Director of Construction. “It’s critically important for our industry to highlight all the ways it supports the safe operation of equipment. Because safety is more than do’s and don’ts. It’s a value we all live by, and events like our AEM-OSHA Above-Ground Worker Safety Demonstration Day underscore that fact.”
These construction safety demonstration days are a priority for an alliance program between AEM and OSHA. Established a year ago, the alliance seeks to further foster safety and health practices, as well as programs to improve American workplaces and jobsites.
“We think it’s really important we work hand in hand with OSHA,” said Elliot Equipment President Chief Executive Officer Jim Glazer. “Not just in our factory, but with the equipment onsite. The equipment our industry makes is dangerous if used improperly. The more OSHA can understand and familiarize itself with what these machines are and engage with us manufacturers to ask questions we think that’s good for the industry, as well as our users and customers.”
In addition to the Above-Ground Worker Safety Demonstration Day, the alliance also helps facilitate OSHA educational visits at AEM trade shows, provide speakers for OSHA forums and industry events, and advance the cause of safety throughout the equipment manufacturing industry and in support of the equipment end users it serves. The alliance also held a demonstration day in June of 2022 that focused on below-ground worker safety.
“Proactive engagement with regulatory agencies is essential,” stated AEM Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs and Ag Policy, Nick Tindall. “Educating them on our efforts to provide tools with safety at its core helps prevent burdensome regulations.”
For more information on the AEM-OSHA Above-Ground Worker Demonstration Day and AEM-OSHA Alliance, contact Nick Tindall at ntindall@aem.org.