Did You Know? offers a quick look at the broad scope of activities underway within the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Federation, highlighting the people and initiatives making waves in standardization.
ASQ to Hold 2014 World Conference on Quality and Improvement in Dallas
ANSI member and accredited standards developer ASQ will hold its 2014 World Conference on Quality and Improvement May 5-7 at the Hilton Anatole hotel in Dallas. The theme of this year's conference is "The Global Impact of Quality," and activities will focus on risk management, quality fundamentals, and establishing and maintaining a culture of quality, among other topics.
The conference will feature the following five keynote speakers:
For more information about the 2014 World Conference on Quality and Improvement, or to register for the event, visit wcqi.asq.org.
ACC and SPI Announce Partnership on Plastics Recycling
ANSI members and accredited standards developers the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and SPI - The Plastics Industry Trade Association have announced that they will work together to improve the effectiveness and growth of the rigid plastic packing field. As part of the new collaboration, ACC's Rigid Plastics Packaging Group (RPPC) will merge with SPI's Thermoformers Committee to create a joint body focused on rigid plastics packaging and transportation and industrial rigid plastics. The new partnership is expected to allow SPI and ACC to more effectively marshal their respective resources to support expanded recycling of rigid plastic products such as coat hangers, toys, and lawn chairs.
For more information about ACC and SPI, visit www.americanchemistry.com and www.plasticsindustry.org, respectively.
OSHA-SAIA Alliance on Scaffold Safety Renewed
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently the announced the renewal of an alliance with ANSI member the Scaffold and Access Industry Association (SAIA) focused on reducing the risk of injury and death associated with the use of scaffolds and lift equipment through education and training. The renewal extends the program for five years.
The OSHA-SAIA alliance is tasked with addressing possible safety issues associated with scaffolds and aerial lift equipment and seeking ways to minimize the danger posed by these safety hazards, including through greater education and outreach. In addition, the alliance works to support workers' rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and to remind employers making use of scaffolds and lift equipment of their legal obligation to protect their employees' safety.
To learn more about the OSHA-SAIA Alliance, please visit the alliance webpage.
UL Applies for U.S. TAG Accreditation for Personal Safety Equipment
UL (Underwriters Laboratories Inc.), an ANSI member and audited designator, has submitted an application for accreditation for a proposed U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 188, Small craft, Subcommittee (SC) 1, Personal Safety Equipment, and has requested approval to serve as the TAG Administrator. The proposed TAG will operate using theModel Operating Procedures for U.S. Technical Advisory Groups to ANSI for ISO Activities as contained in Annex A of the ANSI International Procedures.
For more information, or to offer comments on the application, please contact Betty Holthouser, project manager, UL standards department, via email at [email protected], or by phone at 919-549-1896, with a copy to [email protected]. The comment deadline is April 14, 2014.