Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Impact of Proposed ISO 45001 Standard on Current ANSI/ASSE A10 Construction & Demolition Safety Management Standards

©iStockphoto.com/Mel Stoutsenberger
The ANSI/ASSE A10 Construction and Demolitions standards represent a comprehensive compilation of the ANSI/ASSE A10 series of safety construction standards. The standards provide the safety requirements for scaffolding, steel erection, safety nets and fall protection. Demolition operation standards address debris net systems, rope-guided and nonguided workers' hoists, commercial explosives and blasting agents, digger derricks, rigging qualifications and hearing loss prevention. The requirements for the safety of the public near construction sites and the safety and health of employees of construction environments are also supplied in this package, which includes more than 30 construction and demolition standards.
We continue to hear from the construction and demolitions industry if the proposed ISO 45001 Health and Safety and Management Systems Standard will replace the current ANSI/ASSE A10 Construction and Demolition Safety Management Standards.  This blog update is meant to address the questions and also inform members and the profession about both the A10 and ISO 45001 standards.
The overall answer is “no” since the current standards will not be rescinded. The A10 Committee has noted that it will continue to create, maintain and publish appropriate construction and demolition safety management standards. The A10 standards are widely recognized and implemented in both the private and public sector. Public and private sector recognition in legislation, regulation, contracts and work agreements continues to expand so the A10 ASC does not believe its standards will be retired or rescinded. In addition, the A10 standards are now being used on a global level.

Current Standards

The standard sets forth the minimum elements and activities of a program that defines the duties and responsibilities of construction project where a single project constructor supervises and controls the project. The Society also publishes a tech brief about this standard.
This standard sets forth the minimum elements and activities of a program that defines the duties and responsibilities of construction employers working on a construction project where multiple employers are or will be engaged in the common undertaking to complete a construction project.  The Society also publishes a tech brief about this standard.
  
This standard identifies the minimum performance elements that, when properly utilized, will allow for a competent evaluation of a construction safety and health program. Further, it will identify those areas where systems, records and performance elements are required in order to produce a quality audit.

Future Plan

The A10 ASC will review the ISO 45001 standard if/when released for reference and to promote synergy. Information on the proposed ISO 45001 Standard can obtained via:
If you should have interest in these standards or in joining the subject committees, please contact the Society for more information and an application.