OCCUPATIONAL NOISE STANDARD ALLOWED LEVEL FOR SAFETY BASIC INFORMATION

NOISE STANDARD IN THE WORKPLACE
What is the Allowable Levels of Exposure for Noise in Workplace?

Protection against the effects of noise exposure shall be provided when the sound levels exceed those shown in Table 2.3 when measured on the A scale of a standard sound level meter at slow response.

1. When the daily noise exposure is composed of two or more periods of noise exposure of different levels, their combined effect should be considered, rather than the individual effect of each. If the sum of the following fractions:

C(l)/T(l) + C(2)/T(2) C(n)/T(n) exceeds unity, then, the mixed exposure should be considered to exceed the limit value. Cn indicates the total time of exposure at a specified noise level, and Tn indicates the total time of exposure permitted at that level. Exposure to impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level.

When noise levels are determined by octave band analysis, the equivalent A-weighted sound level may be determined as follows.

When employees are subjected to sound exceeding those listed in Table 2.3, feasible administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized. If such controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of Table 2.3, personal protective equipment shall be provided and used to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table.

If the variations in noise level involve maxima at intervals of 1 second or less, it is to be considered continuous.

NEC FLAMMABLE CONDITIONS BASIC INFORMATION AND TUTORIALS

The National Electrical Code addresses hazardous conditions that create the potential for fires to occur. Environments that pose fire or combustion hazards are listed in Articles 500-510. Requirements covering specific types of facilities that pose additional hazards, such as bulk storage plants or motor fuel dispensing locations, are explained in Articles 511-516.

NEC Section (C)(2)(1) describes Class II, Division 2 locations classifications. These are listed as:

1. Locations where some combustible dust is normally in the air but where abnormal operations may increase the suspended dust to ignitable or explosive levels.

2. Locations where combustible dust accumulations are normally not concentrated enough to interfere with the operation of electrical equipment unless an “infrequent equipment malfunction” occurs that increases the level of dust suspended in the air.

3. Locations where combustible dust concentrations in or on electrical equipment may be sufficient to limit heat dissipation or that could be ignited by failure or abnormal operation of electrical equipment.

A variety of airborne environmental conditions that require classification are listed in Article 500. Class I covers locations specified in Sections [500.5(B)(1)] and [500.5 (B)(2)] where flammable gases or vapors are present, or could exist in the air in high enough quantities that they could produce explosive or ignitable mixtures. Section [500.5(B)(1) FPN 1] provides examples of locations usually included in Class I as the following:

1. Where volatile flammable liquids or liquefied flammable gases are transferred from one container to another.

2. Interiors of spray booths and areas in the vicinity of spraying and painting operations where volatile flammable solvents are used.

3. Locations containing open tanks or vats of volatile flammable liquids.

4. Drying rooms or compartments for the evaporation of flammable solvents.

5. Locations with fat and oil extraction equipment that uses volatile flammable solvents.

6. Portions of cleaning and dyeing plants where flammable liquids are used.

7. Gas generator rooms and other portions of gas manufacturing plants where flammable gas may escape.

8. Pump rooms for flammable gas or for volatile flammable liquids that are not adequately ventilated.

9. The interiors of refrigerators and freezers where flammable materials are stored in open or easily ruptured containers.

10. All other locations where ignitable concentrations of flammable vapors or gases are likely to occur in the course of normal operations.

TYPES OF SAFETY LIFELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION AND WORKS BASIC INFORMATION AND TUTORIALS

There are three basic types of lifelines:

1) vertical

2) horizontal

3) retractable

All lifelines must be inspected daily to ensure that they are

- free of cuts, burns, frayed strands, abrasions, and other defects or signs of damage

- free of discolouration and brittleness indicating heat or chemical exposure.

1) Vertical Lifelines

Vertical lifelines must comply with the current edition of the applicable CSA standard and the following minimum requirements:

- Only one person at a time may use a vertical lifeline.

- A vertical lifeline must reach the ground or a level above ground where the worker can safely exit.

- A vertical lifeline must have a positive stop to prevent the rope grab from running off the end of the lifeline.

Vertical lifelines are typically 16-millimetre (5/8-inch) synthetic rope (polypropylene blends).

2) Horizontal Lifelines

The following requirements apply to any horizontal lifeline system:

- The system must be designed by a professional engineer according to good engineering practice.

- The design can be a standard design or specifically engineered for the site.

The design for a horizontal lifeline system must

- clearly indicate how the system is to be arranged, including how and where it is to be anchored 

- list and specify all required components

- clearly state the number of workers that can safely be attached to the lifeline at one time

- spell out instructions for installation, inspection, and maintenance

- specify all of the design loads used to design the system.

The system must be installed, inspected, and maintained in accordance with the professional engineer’s design. Before each use, the system must be inspected by a professional engineer or competent worker designated by a supervisor. A complete and current copy of the design must be kept on site as long as the system is in use.

3) Retractable Lifelines

Retractable lifelines consist of a lifeline spooled on a retracting device attached to adequate anchorage. Retractable lifelines must comply with CAN/CSAZ259.2.2- M98.

In general, retractable lifelines

- are usually designed to be anchored above the wo rker

- employ a locking mechanism that lets line unwind off the drum under the slight tension caused by a user’s normal movements 

- automatically retract when tension is removed, thereby preventing slack in the line

- lock up when a quick movement, such as that caused by a fall, is applied

- are designed to minimize fall distance and the forces exerted on a worker’s body by fall arrest.

Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions regarding use, including whether a shock absorber is recommended with the system.

Any retractable lifeline involved in a fall arrest must be removed from service until the manufacturer or a qualified testing company has certified it for reuse.

THE DANGERS OF ASBESTOS - BASIC INFORMATION AND TUTORIALS

What are the dangers of inhaling asbestos in construction?

Inhaling asbestos dust has been shown to cause the following diseases:

• asbestosis
• lung cancer
• mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the chest and/or abdomen).

Asbestosis is a disease of the lungs caused by scar tissue forming around ve ry small asbestos fibres deposited deep in the lungs. As the amount of scar tissue increases, the ability of the lungs to expand and contract decreases, causing shortness of breath and a heavier wo rkload on the heart.

Ultimately, asbestosis can be fatal.

Lung cancer appears quite frequently in people exposed to asbestos dust.While science and medicine have not yet been able to explain precisely why or how asbestos causes lung cancer to develop, it is clear that exposure to asbestos dust can increase the risk of contracting this disease.

Studies of asbestos wo rkers have shown that the risk is roughly five times greater than for people who are not exposed to asbestos.

Cigarette smoking, another cause of lung cancer, multiplies this risk . Research has shown that the risk of developing cancer is fifty times higher for asbestos workers who smoke than for workers who neither smoke nor work with asbestos.

Mesothelioma is a relatively rare cancer of the lining of the chest and/or abdomen.While this disease is seldom observed in the general population, it appears frequently in groups exposed to asbestos.

Other illnesses—There is also some evidence of an increased risk of cancer of the stomach, rectum, and larynx. However, the link between asbestos exposure and the development of these illnesses is not as clear as with lung cancer or mesothelioma.

The diseases described above do not respond well to current medical treatment and, as a result, are often fatal.

HOW TO MAKE ACCURATE SINGLE LINE DIAGRAM FOR POWER SYSTEM TUTORIALS

What are the elements of an accurate single line diagram?

A reliable single-line diagram of an industrial or commercial electrical power distribution system is an invaluable tool. It is also called a one-line diagram. The single-line diagram indicates, by single lines and standard symbols, the course and component parts of an electric circuit or system of circuits. The symbols that are commonly used in one-line diagrams are defined in IEEE Std 315-1975.

The single-line diagram is a road map of the distribution system that traces the ßow of power into and through the system. The single-line drawing identifiers the points at which power is, or can be, supplied into the system and at which power should be disconnected in order to clear, or isolate, any portion of the system.

Characteristics of an accurate diagram
The following characteristics should help to ensure accuracy as well as ease of interpretation:

a) Keep it simple
A fundamental single-line diagram should be made up of short, straight lines and components, similar to the manner in which a block diagram is drawn. It should be relatively easy to get the overall picture of the whole electrical system.

All, or as much as possible, of the system should be kept to one sheet. If the system is very large, and more than one sheet is necessary, then the break should be made at voltage levels or at distribution centers.

b) Maintain relative geographic relations
In many cases, it is possible to superimpose a form of the one-line diagram onto the facility plot plan. This is very helpful toward a quick understanding of the location of the system's major components for operating purposes.

It may, however, be more difficult to comprehend the overall system operation from this drawing. Such a drawing could be used for relatively simple systems. For more complex systems, however, it should be used in addition to the fundamental single-line diagram.

c) Maintain the approximate relative positions of components when producing the single-line diagram
The drawing should be as simple as possible and should be laid out in the same relationship as an operator would view the equipment. The diagram does not need to show geographical relationships at the expense of simplicity.

NOTE: A site plan with equipment locations may be required to accompany the single-line diagram.

d) Avoid duplication
Each symbol, figure, and letter has a definite meaning. The reader should be able to interpret each without any confusion. In this regard, equipment names should be selected before publishing the document; then, these names should be used consistently.

e) Show all known factors
All details shown on the diagram are important. Some of those important details are as follows:

Ñ ManufacturersÕ type designations and ratings of apparatus;
Ñ Ratios of current and potential transformers and taps to be used on multi-ratio transformers;
Ñ Connections of power transformer windings;
Ñ Circuit breaker ratings in volts, amperes, and short-circuit interrupting rating;
Ñ Switch and fuse ratings in volts, amperes, and short-circuit interrupting rating;
Ñ Function of relays. Device functions used should be from IEEE Std C37.2-1991;
Ñ Ratings of motors, generators, and power transformers;
Ñ Number, size, and type of conductors;
Ñ Voltage, phases, frequency, and phase rotation of all incoming circuits. The type
of supply system (wye or delta, grounded or ungrounded) and the available
short-circuit currents should be indicated.

f) Future plans
When future plans are known, they should be shown on the diagram or explained by notes.

g) Other considerations
Refer to IEEE Std 141-1993 for further discussion of singleline diagrams.

WHY WORK PERMITS? - PRINCIPLE BEHIND WORK PERMITS BASIC INFORMATION

Safe systems of work are crucial in work such as the maintenance of chemical plant where the potential risks are high and the careful coordination of activities and precautions is essential to safe working. In this situation and others of similar risk potential, the safe system of work is likely to take the form of a permit to work procedure.

The permit to work procedure is a specialized type of safe system of work for ensuring that potentially very
dangerous work (e.g. entry into process plant and other confined spaces) is done safely. Although it has been developed and refined by he chemical industry, the principles of permit to work procedures are equally applicable to the management of complex risks in other industries.

Its fundamental principle is that certain defined operations are prohibited without the specific permission
of a responsible manager, this permission being only granted once stringent checks have been made to ensure that all necessary precautions have been taken and that it is safe for work to go ahead.

The people doing the work take on responsibility for following and maintaining the safeguards set out in the
permit, which will defi ne the work to be done (no other work being permitted) and the timescale in which it must be carried out.

To be effective, the permit system requires the training needs of those involved to be identified and met, and monitoring procedures to ensure that the system is operating as intended.

Permit systems must adhere to the following eight principles:

1. wherever possible, and especially with routine jobs, hazards should be eliminated so that the work can
be done safely without requiring a permit to work

2. although the Site Manager may delegate the responsibility for the operation of the permit system, the overall responsibility for ensuring safe operation rests with him/her

3. the permit must be recognized as the master instruction which, until it is cancelled, overrides all
other instructions

4. the permit applies to everyone on site, including contractors

5. information given in a permit must be detailed and accurate. It must state:

(a) which plant/equipment has been made safe and the steps by which this has been achieved
(b) what work may be done
(c) the time at which the permit comes into effect

6. the permit remains in force until the work has been completed and the permit is cancelled by the person
who issued it, or by the person nominated by management to take over the responsibility (e.g. at
the end of a shift or during absence)

7. no work other than that specifi ed is authorized. If it is found that the planned work has to be changed,
the existing permit should be cancelled and a new one issued

8. responsibility for the plant must be clearly defined at all stages.

BEST LOCATIONS FOR PANEL BOARDS AND SWITCH BOARDS OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT BASIC TUTORIALS

Where should panel boards be located?

Switchboards and panelboards that support electronic load equipment and related loads should be properly designed and installed. Recommended practice is to use panelboards specifically listed for nonlinear loads if they serve electronic load equipment.

As a minimum, panelboards should be rated for power or lighting applications, and should not be a lighterduty type. Special attention should be given to the location and installation methods used when installing panelboards.

In addition, protective devices shall adequately protect system components, neutral buses should be sized to accommodate increased neutral currents due to harmonic currents from nonlinear electronic load equipment, and equipment ground buses should be sized to accommodate increased numbers of equipment grounding conductors due to the recommended practices of using insulated equipment grounding conductors and dedicated circuits for electronic load equipment.

Surge protective devices may also be installed external to, or internal to, the switchboards or panelboards.

Location
Panelboards that serve electronic load equipment should be placed as near to the electronic load equipment as practicable, and should be bonded to the same ground reference as the electronic load equipment.

Other panelboards located in the same area as the electronic load equipment that serve other loads such as lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and process cooling equipment should also be bonded to the same ground reference as the electronic load equipment.

Panelboards should be directly mounted to any building steel member in the immediate area of the installation. Isolation of a panelboard from the metallic building structure by an electrically insulating material, as an attempt to prevent flow of high frequency current through the panelboard, is not recommended practice.

The panelboard and metallic building structure, separated by a dielectric material, become capacitively coupled. The capacitive coupling presents a low impedance at high frequency defeating the original purpose.

NFPA 780-1997 requires effective grounding and bonding between objects such as structural building steel and a panelboard located within side-flash distance (approximately 1.8 m (6 ft), horizontally) of each other. Insulation materials, commonly used in an attempt to separate a panelboard from building steel, are rarely capable of withstanding lightningi nduced arcing conditions.

K - RATED TRANSFORMERS BASIC INFORMATION AND TUTORIALS

What are K-Rated Transformers?

UL and transformer manufacturers have established a K-factor rating for dry-type power transformers to indicate their suitability for supplying nonsinusoidal load currents. The K-factor relates a transformer’s capability to serve varying degrees of nonlinear load without exceeding the rated temperature-rise limits.

The K-factor is the ratio of stray losses in the transformer winding for a given nonsinusoidal load current to the stray losses in the transformer winding produced by a sinusoidal load current of the same magnitude. These transformers are typically specially designed to handle the increased heating effects and neutral currents produced by nonlinear electronic load equipment. The following are some of the design features:

a) The neutral bus is rated at 200% of the secondary full load ampere rating to accommodate the large neutral currents that principally result from triplen harmonics and phase imbalance. The transformer neutral bus rated at 200% is capable of accommodating oversized or multiple neutral conductors.

b) The winding conductors are specially configured and sized to minimize heating due to harmonic load currents. Special configurations and sizing such as multiple, parallel conductors can reduce the skin effect of the higher frequency harmonics and accommodate the balanced triplen harmonics that circulate in the transformer primary (delta) windings.

c) Cores are specially designed to maintain flux core density below saturation due to distorted voltage waveforms or high line voltage. Standard K-factor ratings are 4, 9, 13, 20, 30, 40, and 50. The K-factor for a linear load is 1.

For any given nonlinear load, if the harmonic current components are known, the K-factor can be calculated and compared to the transformer’s nameplate K-factor (refer to

As long as the load K-factor is equal to or less than the rated K-factor of the transformer, the transformer is suitably rated and is considered safe to operate at rated load without overheating. Typical load K-factors for facilities containing large numbers of computers appear to range between 4 and 13.

Measured K-factor on the secondary of step-down transformers that serve almost exclusively nonlinear loads, such as personal computers, have been observed to range as high as 20, but this is extremely rare. In most cases, a transformer with a K-factor rating of 13 can be sufficient to handle typical nonlinear electronic load equipment.

TYPES OF AC GENERATOR ROTORS BASIC INFORMATION AND TUTORIALS

Synchronous AC generators are fitted with one of two different rotor designs depending on their intended rotational speeds.

Round rotors are solid steel cylinders with the field winding inserted in slots milled into the surface or the rotor. They usually have two or four poles. Round rotors can withstand the stresses of high-speed rotation.


Salient-pole rotors have multiple pole pieces (typically six) mounted to the rotor structure, and the field winding is wound around the pole pieces. Because of their more complex construction and larger diameter-to-length ratios, salient-pole rotors cannot withstand the stresses of high-speed rotation.


Electric utility steam-turbine–driven generators designed for 50- or 60-Hz AC output voltage have round rotors with two poles because they can withstand the stresses of speeds of 3000 and 3600 rpm.

Hydroelectric, diesel, and natural-gas engines have far lower shaft speeds than steam turbines, so the generators they drive usually have six or more pole rotors, requirements usually met with more complex salient-pole rotors.

Three-phase AC generators have a winding that is made up of three separate stator windings, each displaced from the other two by 120 electrical degrees. The three windings can either be wye- or delta-connected. The wye connection is more common because it is better suited for direct high-voltage generation.

ELECTRICAL OVERLOADING - THE HAZARDS OF OVERLOADING BASIC INFORMATION

Overloads in an electrical system are hazardous because they can produce heat or arcing. Wires and other components in an electrical system or circuit have a maximum amount of current they can carry safely.

If too many devices are plugged into a circuit, the electrical current will heat the wires to a very high temperature. If any one tool uses too much current, the wires will heat up.

The temperature of the wires can be high enough to cause a fire. If their insulation melts, arcing may occur. Arcing can cause a fire in the area where the overload exists, even inside a wall.

In order to prevent too much current in a circuit, a circuit breaker or fuse is placed in the circuit. If there is too much current in the circuit, the breaker “trips” and opens like a switch.

If an overloaded circuit is equipped with a fuse, an internal part of the fuse melts, opening the circuit. Both breakers and fuses do the same thing: open the circuit to shut off the electrical current.

If the breakers or fuses are too big for the wires they are supposed to protect, an overload in the circuit will not be detected and the current will not be shut off. Overloading leads to overheating of circuit components (including wires) and may cause a fire.

You need to recognize that a circuit with improper overcurrent protection devices—or one with no overcurrent protection devices at all— is a hazard.

Overcurrent protection devices are built into the wiring of some electric motors, tools, and electronic devices. For example, if a tool draws too much current or if it overheats, the current will be shut off from within the device itself.

Damaged tools can overheat and cause a fire. You need to recognize that a damaged tool is a hazard.

WORKS REQUIRING PERMITS BASIC INFORMATION AND TUTORIALS

What are the activities/ works that requires work permit?

The main types of permit and the work to be covered by each are identified below. Appendix 6.4 illustrates the essential elements of a permit form with supporting notes on its operation.

General permit
The general permit should be used for work such as:

S alterations to or overhaul of plant or machinery where mechanical, toxic or electrical hazards may arise
S work on or near overhead crane tracks
S work on pipelines with hazardous contents
S work with asbestos-based materials
S work involving ionising radiation
S work at height where there are exceptionally high risks
S excavations to avoid underground services.

Confined space permit
Confined spaces include chambers, tanks (sealed and open-top), vessels, furnaces, ducts, sewers, manholes, pits, flues, excavations, boilers, reactors and ovens.

Many fatal accidents have occurred where inadequate precautions were taken before and during work involving entry into confined spaces. The two main hazards are the potential presence of toxic or other dangerous substances and the absence of adequate oxygen.

In addition, there may be mechanical hazards (entanglement on agitators) and raised temperatures. The work to be carried out may itself be especially hazardous when done in a confined space, for example, cleaning using solvents, cutting/welding work.

Should the person working in a confined space get into difficulties for whatever reason, getting help in and
getting the individual out may prove difficult and dangerous.

Stringent preparation, isolation, air testing and other precautions are therefore essential and experience shows that the use of a confined space entry permit is essential to confirm that all the appropriate precautions
have been taken.

Work on high voltage apparatus (including testing)
Work on high voltage apparatus (over about 600 volts) is potentially high risk. Hazards include:

S possibly fatal electric shock/burns to the people doing the work
S electrical fires/explosions
S consequential danger from disruption of power supply to safety-critical plant and equipment.

In view of the risk, this work must only be done by suitably trained and competent people acting under the terms of a high voltage permit.

Hot work
Hot work is potentially hazardous as a:

S source of ignition in any plant in which highly flammable materials are handled
S cause of fires in all locations, regardless of whether highly flammable materials are present.

Hot work includes cutting, welding, brazing, soldering and any process involving the application of a naked
flame. Drilling and grinding should also be included where a flammable atmosphere is potentially present.

In high risk areas hot work may also involve any equipment or procedure that produces a spark of sufficient energy to ignite highly flammable substances.

Hot work should therefore be done under the terms of a hot work permit, the only exception being where hot work is done in a designated area suitable for the purpose.

POWER CIRCUIT BREAKER TYPES FOR SAFETY INFORMATION BASICS

The five general types of high-voltage circuit breakers are as follows.

1 Oil circuit breakers use standard transformer oil, an effective medium for quenching the arc and providing an open break after current has dropped to zero. There are two general types of oil circuit breakers: dead-tank for the higher voltage ranges and live-tank for lower voltages.

Oil circuit breakers have been improved by adding such features as oil-tight joints, vents, and separate chambers to prevent the escape of oil.

Also, improved operating mechanisms prevent gas pressure from reclosing the contacts, making them reliable for system voltages up to 362 kV. However, above 230 kV, oil-less breakers are more economical.

2 Air-blast circuit breakers were developed as alternatives to oil circuit breakers as voltages increased. They depend on the good insulating and arc-quenching properties of dry and clean compressed air injected into the contact region.

3 Magnetic-air circuit breakers use a combination of strong magnetic field with a special arc chute to lengthen the arc until the system voltage is unable to maintain the arc any longer. They are used principally in power distribution systems.

4 Gas circuit breakers take advantage of the excellent arc-quenching and insulating properties of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas. These outdoor breakers can interrupt system voltages up to 800 kV.

These circuit breakers are typically included in gasinsulated substations (GISs) that offer space-saving and environmental advantages over conventional outdoor substations. Gas (SF6) circuit breakers are made with ratings up to 800 kV and continuous cur rent up to 4000 A.

They are alternatives to oil and vacuum breakers for metal-clad and metal-enclosed switchgear up to 38 kV.

5 Vacuum circuit breakers, more accurately termed vacuum-bottle interrupters, are generally used for voltages up to 38 kV and continuous current ratings to 3000 A.

They are used for higher system voltage, current, and interrupting ratings, and are typically specified for metal-clad and metal-enclosed switchgear in distribution systems.

RECOGNIZING HAZARDS IN ELECTRICAL WORKS BASIC INFORMATION AND TUTORIALS

The first step is to recognize and identify the existing and potential hazards associated with the work you need to perform. A task and hazard analysis and pre-job briefing are two of the tools you can utilize to ascertain the risks involved in your work for the day.

It’s a good idea to include everyone who will be involved in the task or associated work to discuss and plan for the hazards. Sometimes a coworker will think of hazards that you have overlooked, and it will ensure that everyone involved will be on the same page.

Careful planning of safety procedures reduces the risk of injury. Determine whether everyone has been trained for the job they need to do that day. Do you need to present a safety training focused on specific risks that are present today?

Decisions to lockout and tagout circuits and equipment and any other action plans should be made part of recognizing hazards. Here are some other topics to address:

n Is the existing wiring inadequate?
n Is there any potential for overloading circuits?
n Are there any exposed electrical parts?
n Will you be working around overhead power lines?
n Does any of the wiring have damaged insulation that will produce a shock?
n Are there any electrical systems or tools on the site that are not grounded or double insulated?
n Have you checked the condition of any power tools that will be used to confirm that they are not damaged and that all guards are in place?
n What PPE is required for the tasks to be performed?
n Have you reviewed the MSDS for any chemicals present on the site or that will be used that could be harmful?
n Will any work need to be performed from ladders or scaffolding and are these in good condition and set-up properly? Is there any chance of ladders coming in contact with energized circuits?
n Are the working conditions or equipment likely to be damp or wet or affected by humidity?

AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD INSTITUTE (ANSI) AND ITS RELATION TO SAFETY

American national standards institute

The ANSI is a nonprofit organization that oversees the development of voluntary standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States. The organization also coordinates U.S. standards with international standards so that American products can be used worldwide.

For example, standards make sure that people who own cameras can find the film they need for them anywhere around the globe.

The ANSI mission is to enhance the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating conformity and voluntary consensus standards and maintaining their integrity.

ANSI accredits standards that ensure consistency among the characteristics and performance of products, that people use the same definitions and terms regarding materials, and that products are tested the same way.

ANSI also accredits organizations that certify products or personnel in accordance with requirements that are defined in international standards. The institute is like the umbrella that covers thousands of guidelines that directly impact businesses in almost every sector.

Everything from construction equipment, to dairy standards, to energy distribution, and electrical materials is affected. ANSI is also actively engaged in accrediting programs that assess conformance to standards, including globally recognized programs such as the ISO 9000 Quality Management and ISO 14,000 Environmental Systems.

The ANSI has served as administrator and coordinator of the United States private sector voluntary standardization system since 1918. It was founded by five engineering societies and three government agencies.

Today, the Institute represents the interests of its nearly 1000 company, organization, government agency, institutional, and international members through its headquarters in Washington, D.C. Accreditation by ANSI signifies that a procedure meets the Institute’s essential requirements for openness, balance, consensus, and due process safeguards.

For this reason, American National Standards are referred to as “open” standards. In this context, open refers to a process that is used by a recognized organization for developing and approving a standard. The Institute’s definition of “open” basically refers to a collaborative, balanced, and consensus-based approval process.

The criteria used to develop these open standards balance the interests of those who will implement the standard with the interests and voluntary cooperation of those who own property or use rights that are essential to or affected by the standard.

For this reason, ANSI standards are required to undergo public reviews. In addition to facilitating the creation of standards in our country, ANSI promotes the use of U.S. standards internationally and advocates U.S. policy and technical positions in international and regional standards organizations.