Subscribe To Aerial Pros

Rental applications often include demanding tasks that increase the risk of damage for mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) on jobsites. When repairs and any related modifications* on MEWPs, it is the responsibility of the equipment owner, as well as the person or agency performing the work to conduct those repairs and modifications according to the equipment manufacturer’s specified guidelines. Modifications that change the design of a Genie^®MEWP require prior written approval from Genie.

One component on MEWPs that may repair after performing in rental applications are the steel platform guard rails. Prior to repair, a qualified service technician should determine if any damage to the platform structure is un-repairable and will require complete replacement. Damage to a platform can come in the form of: 

• Cracks in welds
• Dents or damage
• Excessive rust, corrosion or oxidation.
• Holes

The definition of a dent or damaged component is: “Any component that has been permanently deformed or results in noncompliance to the original specification.”

Only welding personnel qualified to the following ANSI and AWS (or equivalent) welding codes are considered qualified to execute these weld procedures:

• AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code – Steel; or
• AWS B2.1, Standard for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification; or
• AWS D14.3 Specification for Welding Earthmoving and Construction Equipment; or
• AWS D14.4, Specification for Welded Joints for Machinery and Equipment; or
• ANSI/ASME Section IX, Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code

Below are the specific criteria for repairing guard rails on Genie MEWPs equipped with steel platforms:

• All field repair welding shall be performed by a certified welder, appointed by the equipment owner, to perform welding in the basic welding positions as may be necessary.
• Repairing the platform supporting structure weldment is strictly prohibited.
• Repairing any designated lanyard attachment points or their immediately adjoining welded structure is strictly prohibited.
  • In the case where a lanyard attachment point or its immediately adjoining welded structure has been damaged, immediately remove the platform from service and replace entire weldment or platform.
• Welding repairs of aluminum work platforms is strictly prohibited.
• Welding repairs shall be completed per the most current and applicable national welding repair standards/requirements as referenced in the following national governing standards.
  • Canada – CSA B354.4 (Booms) and B354.2 (Scissors, GRC), W59 Weld Standard
  • USA – ANSI A92.5 (Booms) and A92.6 (Scissors, GRC), AWS D1.1, AWS D14.3 Weld Standard
  • Europe – EN 280
  • Australia – AS1410.18
  • Russia – Pb 10-611-03
• All structural components used for platform repair shall be the same dimensions and specification as Genie OEM tubing.
• Welding repairs shall not cause deviation from the original platform design.
• The platform dimensions shall not change.
• The platform profile shall not change.
• This includes the radius of any repaired guard rail corner.
• The platform weight shall not change.
• The platform overall conformance to the applicable national self-propelled aerial work platform standard shall not change.
• Always perform a pre-operation inspection, per the operator’s manual. Inspect the platform structure and welds carefully before returning to service.

For a certified welder to perform weld repair on some damaged guard rail sections on Genie MEWPs, it is important that these criteria be adhered to.