Collaborative Technologies
Web-basedechnologies such as wikis, blogs, and mash-ups facilitate collaboration among team members regardless of geographic distances by providing tools to communicate, brainstorm, cooperate, and problem solve. Additionally, collaborative software supports project management functions such as task assignments, time management, deadline tracking, and shared calendars.
The recently released standard ANSI/ARMA 18-2011, Implications of Web-based, Collaborative Technologies in Records Management, provides requirements and best practice recommendations related to policies, procedures, and processes for organizations using web-based, collaborative technologies such as wikis, blogs, mashups, and classification/tagging sites. This American National Standard (ANS) published by the ARMA International, an ANSI organizational member and accredited standards developer, supports and encourages adherence to Generally Accepted Recordkeeping Principles (GARP). E-commerce, e-mail, instant messaging, or workflow solutions are not addressed by the new standard.
ARMA International is a non-profit association that offers resources for legislative and regulatory policies, standards and best practices, technology trends and applications, and education and training for the information management industry. Their scope of work includes the development of systems, rules, reports, and procedures for storage and retrieval functions such as paper and micrographic filing systems, records retention, vital records maintenance, and disaster recovery. ARMA membership is comprised of professionals in the fields of records management, archiving, corporate libraries, imaging, law, and IT who work in the education, government, healthcare, financial services, and petroleum industries worldwide.
Toxic Gas Detectors
Industrial processes can involve the use and manufacturing of dangerous toxic gases found in chemical plants, power stations, water treatment plants, boiler rooms, tunnels, and enclosed parking structures, among other areas. At even the lowest concentration levels, toxic gases can cause asphyxiation or death by being inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin.
To protect workers from on-the-job exposure, the International Society of Automation (ISA) recently published ANSI/ISA 92.00.01-2010, Performance Requirements for Toxic Gas Detectors. This new ANS aims to enhance the safety of personnel in commercial and industrial locations by providing minimum requirements for the construction, performance, and testing of portable, transportable, mobile, and stationary electrical apparatus whose purpose is for the detection, measurement, and notification of toxic gas in air. Performance requirements for residential locations, laboratory or scientific type analysis or process control, and detection of flammable/explosive concentrations of toxic gases are outside the scope of this standard.
ISA, an ANSI organizational member and accredited standards developer, is a global non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the technology and increasing the safety, security, and performance of instrumentation and automation systems through the development and promotion of national and international standards. ISA also certifies industry professionals, provides education and training, publishes books and technical articles, and hosts conferences and exhibitions for automation professionals.