OSHA vs. ANSI: Are You Compliant?
As a business owner, you have a responsibility to ensure that your workplace is safe and compliant with all applicable regulations. AHowever, as operations evolve and become ever more complex, it can be challengingdifficult to stay updated on every standard by which your industry operates.
Two of the most important safety standards organizations include the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). OSHA regulates workplace safety in the United States, and ANSI works with international bodies to promote operational standardization.
HBut how does any of this impact your business? In this article, the safety experts at Stronghold®️ Safety Engineering explore the differences between OSHA and ANSI — then, we explain why many organizations setyou should set standards that are stricter than theirs!
What is ANSI?
The American National Standards Institute is a private, non-profit organization that sets standards for products, services, and processes. ANSI develops national consensus standards through an open process involving all stakeholders, including industry and consumer representatives.
ANSI's standards are voluntary but widely respected in the United States as setting the expected benchmark of quality. In fact, standards and regulations — like those that ANSI works to foster — affect over 90% of worldwide trade!
The standards cover a wide variety of topics from industrial safety to electrical wiring codes. The goal of standardization is to maximize safety, advancement, and global interoperability across all industries.
ANSI Definition
The initialization “ANSI” stands for The American National Standards Institute.
The institute publishes consensus-based guidelines to provide an additional layer of safety standards for businesses in a variety of industries. However, unlike OSHA, it’s up to you whether your business adheres to ANSI standards.
What is OSHA Compliance?
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration is a federal agency within the U.S Department of Labor. OSHA sets safety standards for the workplace in an effort to prevent accidents, injuries, and illnesses on the job.
Compliance with OSHA standards supports the health and safety of your employees, enabling you to demonstrate your commitment to a safe work environment. Your potential clients, partners, and even job applicants appreciate smooth, predictable, and productive operations.
To become fully compliant with OSHA's standards requires diligent efforts from management as well as employees. So, what does it mean to be compliant with Occupational Safety & Health Administration standards?
What Does It Mean to be OSHA Compliant?
What does OSHA compliance mean to you? It means optimized operations, increased productivity, and reduced risk.
By providing your operators with the tools, training, and situational awareness they need, you boost their confidence. Since they know that you’re focused on their well-being, they can focus more of their attention on the tasks themselves.
This optimizes your workflow to increase productivity, even as safety was the objective all along. Moreover, reducing your risk ensures continued profitability over the long term.
OSHA vs. ANSI Standards
The primary difference between the two is an important one. OSHA creates legally binding regulations which cover most working environments in the United States.
As an office of the Department of Labor, OSHA has the authority to enforce its regulations. By contrast, ANSI provides voluntary standards which are not legally binding.
For instance, ANSI has created a set of guidelines for preventing slips and falls on the job. While they aren’t legally enforceable, many business owners do choose to adopt these guidelines to reduce liability and provide a safer environment for their workers.
The Meaning of “ANSI Compliant” vs. “OSHA Compliant”
Being compliant with ANSI standards and OSHA regulations ensures a safer, more productive workplace. But, as we mentioned, there are several differences between these two — and another option altogether.
If your workplace is located in the United States and its territories, you must comply with OSHA. Otherwise, you’re soon to have some uncomfortable conversations with the regulatory body.
To be ANSI compliant is to demonstrate your desire to be proactive in the protection of your employees. Volunteering to self-regulate is a good way to instill confidence in all of your collaborators — which is likely why there are many businesses chooseinge to adopt additional standards beyond what OSHA requires.be more strict.
Why Do Some Businesses Adhere to Stricter Standards than ANSI & OSHA?
You might be surprised to learn that many business owners adhere to even stricter regulations than those of ANSI and OSHA. In fact, many of our own clients set higher standards when employing our services in risk assessment, guarding installation, and fall protection.
Next month, our safety experts will reveal how Stronghold®️ Safety is uniquely experienced in helping customers achieve their standards.
Why should your business opt for strict self-regulation? Stay tuned to our safety blog to learn more!
Are You OSHA- and ANSI-Compliant?
Compliance with OSHA and ANSI standards involves several phases, from awareness to continued vigilance. To develop a safety plan, you must first determine the standards and regulations that are applicable to your company.
The second step is toThen, you must conduct assessments of your workplace to identify areas for improvement. These may include machine guarding assessments andor a risk reduction analysis., depending on your needs.
Once you’re aware of the risks, you can create a safety plan for implementation, training, and maintenance. Finally, remember to remain vigilant; every team member must be a safety officer, you must remain available for communication, and you must regularly revisit your safety strategy.
Learn About ANSI & OSHA Safety Compliance at Stronghold®️ Safety
When it comes to workplace safety, OSHA and ANSI standards provide a solid foundation for employers. While both provide important guidelines to ensure the well-being of workers, you may choose to set higher standards than either mandates.
Ultimately, it’s up to you how you comply with OSHA, whether you should comply with ANSI, or if your business adopts additional specialized you need custom safety standardssolutions. At Stronghold®️ Safety, we provide you with the tools and knowledge to optimize safety for your unique workplace.
We offer comprehensive services, from consultation through implementation, to optimize for protection at every level. To learn more about how your company can remain ANSI and OSHA compliant, reach out to our team today.