In an effort to communicate the vital role that standards play in daily life, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) publishes snapshots of the diverse standards initiatives undertaken in the global and national standards arena, many of which are performed by ANSI members and ANSI-accredited standards developers. Two of the latest selections follow:
Inclusive Fitness Environments
Grain bins, which house dry grain for animal feed, human consumption or fuel, can pose significant hazards such as engulfment and entrapment, falls from heights, or crushing injuries to the workers who must enter them. The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) has developed a new standard that provides enhanced protection for these workers, allowing them to accomplish their duties with a better understanding and heightened awareness of safety steps to be taken and how to avoid potential hazards. ANSI/ASABE S624 AUG2018, Grain Bin Access Design Safety, provides recommendations for design parameters in new grain storage bins, including recommendations for bin access, anchor attachment points, and safety decals. The standard applies to new corrugated and smooth wall steel bins used to store various types of free flowing grain.
ASABE, an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, is dedicated to the advancement of engineering for agricultural, food, and biological systems. The membership organization is open to all stakeholders interested in the technologies for these systems, which support the production of food, fiber, timber, and renewable energy sources through efficient and environmentally sensitive methods.