Did You Know? offers a quick look at the broad scope of activities underway within the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Federation of members and partners, highlighting recent accomplishments and new resources related to standardization.
CPSC's "Regulatory Robot" Offers Custom Reports on Consumer Regulations for Products
A website developed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) allows users to generate custom reports on important product safety requirements for consumer products.
The "Regulatory Robot" prompts users to choose between categories such as apparel, toys, furniture, and cleaning products, among many others. After answering several follow-up questions on the product's use and specifications, the robot provides a free report with materials on what consumer product regulations apply, whether testing is required, and other essential information.
Generate a report with the Regulatory Robot at no cost on CPSC's website.
IAPMO's IWSH Offers Volunteer Opportunities for World Plumbing Day 2019
The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), an ANSI member and audited designator, is offering volunteer opportunities for plumbers and other interested constituents through its International Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH). IWSH is a non-profit that aims to improve safe access to clean water and sanitation around the world.
Two volunteer opportunities are available: helping to complete new water supply, hand washing, toilet, and waste disposal systems for the Laangarche Lapse School and Pancha Kanya School in Nepal, and community outreach to bring safe, running water and sanitation across the remote region of Navajo Mountain on the Arizona-Utah state border.
"Both [of these projects are continuations of existing programs: Strengthening new and existing partnerships and ensuring that real, long-term benefit for the host communities in terms of improved access to water and sanitation enhancing living environments, impacting public health, and stopping people getting sick is being achieved," said Dain Hansen, managing director of IWSH. "We encourage any interested parties, whether they are young students and apprentices, experienced professional contractors, or larger companies and manufacturers, to get in touch and let us know how they would like to get involved!"
Learn more in the IAPMO/IWSH news item.
ASSP Infographic Guides Planning for an Active Shooter or Armed Assailant
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, has developed a free infographic with information on how organizations can begin to develop and implement an active shooter/armed assailant plan.
The infographic suggests five steps to develop a plan, including conducting an assessment of where your facility is vulnerable to threats, conducting tabletop drills and practice sessions to determine where your plan needs improvement, and creating a business continuity plan to keep things running smoothly in the event that an incident forces the facility to close for a period of time.
The infographic contains information from a new ASSP technical report on the same topic. Visit ASSP's website to see the infographic and learn more about each step.
ADA Podcasts Connects Dentists Facing Challenges in their Practices
The American Dental Association (ADA), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, has launched a new podcast aimed at dentists who run their own practices, connecting them with others in the community and helping them to resolve the challenges of their field.
"Beyond the Mouth" features Dr. Betsy Shapiro, director of the ADA Center for Professional Success, who chats with a diverse group of dentists each week to gain their perspectives and their stories. Topics include everything about being a dentist other than clinical dentistry, from what needs to be done when you open a dental office to handling parental leave for yourself and your employees.
"Sometimes as clinicians, it is easy to become isolated and trapped in the little bubble of our lives," said Dr. Nima Aflatooni, a guest on the first episode of the podcast. "This podcast helps to connect each of us and help us identify with other dentists who may have had similar struggles, experiences, and successes. We are all in this together."
The half-hour podcast can be accessed on ADA's website or at most major podcast sites including Google Play, Spotify, and Apple.