WASHINGTON – The American National Standards Institute seeks comments on a new proposal for an international standard on occupational health and safety management.

The British Standards Institution has submitted a proposal to the International Organization for Standardization calling for a list of requirements for an OH&S system, with the goal of providing organizations with increased control over OH&S risks. The standard would not establish specific performance criteria for OH&S and would not provide detailed specifications for the design of an OH&S management system.

It is expected the standard would be applicable to any organization seeking to establish, maintain, or improve an OH&S management system. It would not address product safety, environmental impacts, or other health and safety-related subjects.

Comments on this proposal should be sent to Steven Cornish, ANSI senior director for international policy (isot@ansi.org). Comments are due to ANSI by Apr. 26. Feedback received by Apr. 26 will be reviewed and compiled for the recommended ANSI position and comment, which will be presented to the ANSI ISO Council for formal approval.

Read the full proposal here: http://publicaa.ansi.org/sites/apdl/Documents/News%20and%20Publications/Links%20Within%20Stories/ISO%20NWIP%20(OHSMS).pdf.