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.
Women in Standards Launches Website
Recent U.S. Department of Labor data reveals that for the first time in nearly a decade, there are more women in the U.S. workforce than men. Reflecting the trend, and to bolster gender diversity among standards development participants, Women in Standards (WiStandards), a nonprofit membership society, has announced the launch of their new website.
The site, www.womeninstandards.org, provides members with educational resources on standards and conformity assessment, a directory of standards developing organizations with information on how to submit public comments and join standards developing committees, and an events calendar detailing more than 160 gatherings related to standards development worldwide. Through the website and other channels, WiStandards engages with all members of the standards development process, seeking to raise the profile of women working in and contributing to standardization and support the next generation of standards developers.
Learn more on the Women in Standards website.
CTA White Paper Offers Guidance on Health-related Wearables
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, has released a white paper in collaboration with the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) that provides doctors and patients with information on health-focused wearables.
Wearables, which range from smartwatches and fitness trackers to smart clothing and smart glasses, can monitor biometric data on heart rhythms, blood pressure, and oxygen levels to provide information on the wearer's health. They are part of a booming market expected to reach $10 billion this year. The white paper, produced with contributions from physicians, patient advocates, healthcare organizations, and technology companies, includes information on the market, guidelines on how to best manage and share data obtained from a wearable, and advice for personal health data privacy and security.
Access "Guidance for Wearable Health Solutions," free with registration, on CTA's website.
IEEE Offers Workshop on Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Wearables
Other ANSI members are engaged in the health wearables space as well, including IEEE, an ANSI member and accredited standards developer. The organization is holding a workshop on augmented reality and virtual reality wearables, exploring opportunities for treatment and diagnosis. Learn more and register for the January 28, 2020, workshop on IEEE's website.
CSA Study Examines Workplace Fatigue, Professional Burnout
CSA Group, an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, recently published a research report investigating workplace fatigue and what guidelines are needed to address and combat it.
"Workplace Fatigue: Current Landscape and Future Considerations" finds that professional burnout affects many industries, including aviation, oil and gas, nuclear, healthcare, and more, and that a standard definition or management practice is needed to address the issue. The World Health Organization recognizes burnout as a medical diagnosis, and in many industries, the potential consequences of fatigue can lead to injury or death. CSA found that while many industries in Canada recognize the issue, more support is needed to help employers address it effectively.
Learn more about professional burnout in the report on CSA's website.
ASSP Gives Tips for Developing E-Learning Programs
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, has published a list of tips on developing user-friendly training with e-learning programs. These tips are based on content from their American National Standard, ANSI/ASSP Z490.2, Accepted Practices for E-Learning in Safety Health and Environmental Training.
Tips include:
Design for Electronic Devices. Learners often use smartphones and tablets, whose smaller screen has an impact on the learning experience. Too many elements or too much information on a small screen will make it more difficult for learners to absorb information. Consider also the user's ability to scroll easily on different devices.
Provide Opportunities for Interactivity. Make the experience engaging, providing realistic decision-making and authentic tasks. The program should also provide feedback on the user's performance. It is advised that learners receive feedback after each step of the task, not at the end of the total task performance.
Establish Completion Paths. Design an experience that meets training goals, providing completion paths that compliment learning objectives in order to promote success. For some topics, one 30-minute video may be the best path; for others, multiple shorter videos may be preferred. Paths should be customized for each goal to assist learners in gaining the appropriate knowledge for the course.
Read all of the tips on ASSP's website.
General Services Administration Seeks Feedback on Electronic Rulemaking Management Process
The General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Regulation Management, within the Office of Government-wide Policy (OGP), is interested in conducting a dialogue with the public, including industry, special interest groups, academia, researchers, and individuals about challenges and opportunities related to the modernization of the Electronic Rulemaking Management process. It issued a public notice for experts interested in serving on a panel at its March 25, 2020, public meeting.Subject matter experts interested in joining the panel must submit their proposals, including a resume, an indication of the selected meeting, and a synopsis of their proposed topics and key points of no more than 250 words, no later than March 2, 2020.
Access more information via the online notice.
ADA standard, Technical Report Available for Comment
The American Dental Association Standards Committee on Dental Informatics has approved two documents for circulation and comment:The draft standard and technical report are available by calling the ADA at 1-312-440-2506 or emailing [email protected]. The comment deadline is Feb. 17, 2020. Read the ADA news item.
ADA, and ANSI organizational member, accredited by ANSI to develop national standards for products and information technology used by the dental profession and consumers. Currently, there are more than 90 national standards, and more are under development.
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