When talking about safety products or safety regulations OSHA and ANSI go hand-in-hand with compliance and safety. A point of confusion is understanding who and what each of these organizations do and how they affect your work. To get a better understanding of how these organizations work together and affect you, a good place to start is to understand exactly who each of these organizations are.
The website for OSHA states the following explanation: “The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is part of the United States Department of Labor. The administrator for OSHA is the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.”
ANSI’s website offers the following explanation for their organization: “The American National Standards Institution (ANSI) is a private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the US voluntary standards and conformity assessment system. ANSI is not itself a standards developing organization. Rather, the Institute provides a framework for fair standards development and quality conformity assessment systems and continually works to safeguard their integrity. And as a neutral venue for coordination of standards-based solutions, the Institute brings together private- and public-sector experts and stakeholders to initiate collaborative standardization activities that respond to national priorities. ANSI serves as a strong voice on behalf of the U.S. voluntary standards community, protecting and strengthening its impact domestically and internationally. Through its membership, partnerships, and diverse programs and activities, ANSI represents the interests of more than 270,000 companies and organizations and 30 million professionals worldwide.”
Understanding the key differences between OSHA and ANSI standards is crucial for professionals in industries where safety and compliance are needed. OSHA regulations are mandatory and enforceable by law; they are issued by a government agency responsible for worker safety and health. Non-compliance with OSHA standards can lead to legal penalties, including fines and work stoppages. In contrast, ANSI standards are voluntary consensus standards developed by representatives from various sectors, including manufacturers and engineers. These standards often become a part of OSHA regulations once they are adopted, making them enforceable.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential in meeting both OSHA and ANSI standards. PPE such as hard hats, safety glasses, and fall protection systems are designed to meet specific performance requirements to ensure worker safety. For example, a hard hat meeting ANSI guidelines may also satisfy OSHA requirements if adopted into their regulations. Understanding these specifications and ensuring all personal protective equipment meets the necessary standards is a best practice for maintaining safety and compliance in the workplace.
Fall protection is a critical area where OSHA and ANSI standards converge. OSHA’s fall protection standards are stringent and are designed to prevent workplace injuries and fatalities from falls. ANSI’s voluntary consensus standards often support these regulations by providing detailed guidelines on fall protection systems and specific requirements for equipment. For industries where fall hazards are prevalent, understanding and implementing these industry standards is key to ensuring the safety of workers and the compliance of the business with both OSHA and ANSI requirements.
In short, OSHA is or is part of a governing body. They write safety standards which are the law. Disobeying the standards can result in violations, fines, and even cease of work.
ANSI is made up of a group of volunteers to achieve a consensus of the way things should be manufactured and used. In that nature ANSI standards are more specific and are often adopted by OSHA as regulations.
For example, the OSHA regulation for safety glasses specifically points out an ANSI standard for their manufacture. If the glasses are not designated ANSI Z87.1, they would abide by OSHA compliance, and the user’s company could face an OSHA violation.
OSHA is the regulation, which is the law. ANSI is a voluntary standard agreed upon by manufacturers, engineers and other professionals who work in the area subject to the standard.
Malta Dynamics stays up-to-date on ANSI standards by participating on several committees as a manufacturer. Having ANSI committee members on staff helps to ensure our products are performing to the latest standards for our customers while meeting all OSHA standards that pertain to our products. We strive to surpass the minimum requirements by proactively incorporating best practices into our product designs and manufacturing processes. Our commitment to safety goes beyond compliance; it involves actively contributing to the development and refinement of industry standards.
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