The collapse of Rana Plaza, in Bangladesh earlier this year was a crude reminder as to the lack of uniformity in occupational safety and health standards worldwide. Following the loss of thousands of garment factory workers around the world just this year, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has announced plans to develop a new standard for global occupational health and safety (OSH). The initiative, overseen by ISO Project Committee (PC) 283, Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements, will provide governmental agencies and industry stakeholders with effective, usable guidance to improve worker safety across all borders.
“This proposed occupational health and safety standard represents one of the most significant consensus standards activities in the last 50 years,” said S. Joe Bhatia, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) president and CEO. “It has the potential to significantly and positively impact occupational health and safety management on a global level.”
ANSI and ASSE are lending a hand by seeking participants for a U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for ISO PC 283. All U.S OSH management experts and other stakeholders are encouraged to get involved.
The U.S. TAG will advise ANSI on voting positions relevant to the proposed standard and will participate in discussions related to its development. As the U.S. member body to ISO, ANSI accredits U.S. TAGs to develop and transmit U.S. positions on ISO technical activities. Following the TAG’s accreditation by ANSI, ASSE will serve as the U.S. TAG administrator to ISO PC 283.
“Time and time again we’ve seen how investment in OH&S management can help to make work environments safer, while also serving to improve overall organizational performance and boosting the bottom line,” said ASSE President Kathy Seabrook.
“ISO PC 283 will be doing critically important work, and the U.S. needs to have a strong, active and engaged role in this activity,” added Mr. Bhatia. “ANSI and ASSE encourage all interested U.S. stakeholders to get involved in this significant new global standards initiative.”
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