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The article discusses the significance of human performance improvement (HPI) in achieving a sustainable safety excellence in the U.S. According to the article, promoting HPI covers an injury process that is deep and broad. It also ensure that true root causes of human error are exposed and solutions are suitable and permanent. It cites the cross-disciplinary focus of HPI which offers a unique toolbox of infinite options which link identified gaps. Furthermore, it notes that the ability to creatively solve industrial problems is through management asset.

The article discusses the key change concepts and examines several key elements of an effective Management of Change (MOC) process in the U.S. It relates that MOC is a concept that is critical to process safety and could likely prevent incidents in many other industries. It states that many industries would benefit from establishing polices to manage deviations from normal operations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines management of change in its process safety management (PSM) standard, which requires employee to establish and implement written procedures to manage changes to process chemicals, equipment and procedures, and changes to facilities that affect a covered process.

The article discusses some of the process improvement that companies used to reduce costs as well as increase the efficiency while maintaining the quality ad performance standards as expected by consumers in the U.S. First is to identify the areas wherein improvement opportunities were visible by starting with a problem statement. Then, identify the key process input variables of the company. It further stresses that costs, which are related to restricted workers and lost-time cases is the resulting outcome of many input variable. Moreover, it notes that those inputs must be evaluated and prioritized to ensure that precious resources are not being wasted.

The article presents the comments of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) to the proposed revision of the Performance and Program Standards for the Professional Practice of Environmental, Health & Safety (SH&E) Auditing in the U.S. ASSE states that the auditing function mainly addresses internal issues, however, many SH&E issues are impacting an organization. It argues that the auditing function lacks discussion of how business operations may affect external entities that includes customers, the community and environment. ASSE suggests that the Board of Environmental, Health and Safety Auditor Certifications should add more language to address auditing of the revision process.

The article offers news briefs about safety standards and requirements in the workplace for December 2006 in the U.S. The standard and safety requirements of the Material Handling Industry's scissors lifts is under revision. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. has introduced new standard, Safety for External Corrosion Protection Systems for Steel Underground Storage Tanks. The National Fire Protection Association's standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems is under revision.

The article provides information about developments of standards related to industrial safety in the U.S. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has launched a new standard called Performance-based Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators that addresses the design, construction, operation, inspection and testing of equipment such as rooms, spaces and hoistways. The Underwriters Laboratory Inc. has developed the standard for Safety for Electrochemical Capacitors that address standards for electrochemical capacitors electronic products. Lastly, the American Institute of Steel Construction's standard, Specification for Safety-Related Steel Structures for Nuclear Facilities is under revision.

Reports on the development of a rule-based formula for setting a practical injury-rate goals in the U.S. Application of goal-setting in other field of endeavors; Chart depicting actual injury rates and target values; Presentation of target-setting formulas; Emphasis on the need of safety and health professional to identify workplace hazards, assess the risk in terms of severity and probability of causing harm.

The article offers tips for the proper delivery of an effective safety job briefing in the U.S. Organizations. Topics discussed include getting the attention of the crew, providing the crew with the daily scope of work, considering the demonstration of a new technique or tool, and having the veteran crew members help new employees in refining their skills.

The article focuses on the significance of the management systems in improving industrial safety in the U.S. The author suggests that in order to improve a system, it is essential to explore the history of the managerial practices regarding safety and health. The effectiveness of a management standard must be equal to the rules and responsibilities of management and the worker.

The article reports on the presentation of American Petroleum Institute (API) Occupational Safety Performance Award to Koch Pipeline Co. at the organization's 57th annual pipeline conference in the U.S. According to Bob O'Hair, president of Koch Pipeline Co., they are very proud to be honored for safety performance in an in an industry which as such high standards for excellence. Kock Pipeline also received the API's "No Days Away From Work" and "Most Improved Safety Performance" awards for occupational safety performance.

The article presents trends in the development of safety standards in the U.S. The American National Standards Institute's (ANSI) Executive Standards Council has approved the reaccreditation of the Accredited Standards Committee A10, Safety Requirements for Construction and Demolition Operations. The ANSI A10 Committee on Construction and Demolition Operations have met in Washington D.C. to discuss updates within the organization. The Standard for Safety Gas Vents of the Underwriters Laboratories Inc. is under revision.

This article highlights the meeting of the American National Standards Institute Z359 committee at the American Society of Safety Engineer headquarters in the U.S. The committee agreed that it would not vote on additional applications until the development process is complete for Z359 standards currently in the progress. A small subgroup has been formed to address issues related to the Z359.1 draft standard. Finally, the committee made a motion and approved the ANSI/ASSE Z359.1-200x draft standard.

Reports on developments related to the creation and implementation of occupational safety standards in the U.S. Adoption of the new ISA standard; Establishment of standardization in the field of explosion prevention and protection; Revision of the Automotive Lift Institute's standard; Proposal of the Greenguard Environmental Institute to establish an adhesive emissions performance standard.

The article offers news briefs related to performance standards in the U.S. International Code Council and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) have combined the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the ANSI/ AHSRAE/ IESNA Standard. The National Fire Association (NFPA) is planning to revise its standard for flammable gases or vapors.

The article reports on the modification of the aggregation policy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The revision allows facilities and permitting authorities to combine their emissions from plant modification provided that the activities are related. The agency issued a final rule under its New Source Review (NSR) which requires aggregation of emissions from related activities.

The article reports on the plans of the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) to revise its Performance Criteria for Safeguarding (BSR B11.19-200x) standard in the U.S. The revision will be carried out to incorporate new updates in safeguarding theory and technology. The standard provides performance requirements for the design, construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of the safeguarding, such as guards, safeguarding devices, awareness devices, safeguarding methods, and safe work procedures, when applied to machines.

The article reports on the proposed new Standard Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Reflective Insulation and Sheet Radiant Barriers for Building Application to Assess Surface Burning Characteristics released by the ASTM International in the U.S. The new standard aims to create a mounting method for reflective insulation in the ASTM E84 fire test. It describes a process for specimen preparation and mounting during testing reflective insulation and sheet radiant barriers to evaluate flame spread and smoke development as surface burning properties using Test Method E84.

This article reports on the adoption of the American Society for Quality standard, Quality Management Systems: Guidelines for Process Improvements in Health Service Organizations in the U.S. The second edition is designed to provide the content of the first guidelines. It points out that the guidelines are not the only way to interpret the ISO 9000 series of standards for health service organizations. The definitions and text given represent how the wording is used within the context of the document.

Reports on the partnership between the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security's Science and Technology and the Office of Domestic Preparedness. Adoption of radiological and nuclear detectors standards; Development of guidelines on performance standards and test methods; Contact information.