That really isn't helpful. Safety people are busy. Eyewear standards are just one tiny part of the total picture. Since a good idea has come up in this group, its better late than never. Standards are reviewed on a constant basis, so there is always a chance to get the changes we want considered. And ASSE is not the major standard maker. It is the ANSI, ASTM, and NFPA standards are most often referenced in the OSHA and EPA regs, in the CPSC standards (Federal Hazardous Substances Act), etc. In addition, all of this is changing because the standards are in the process of being coordinated with the ISO standards. Soon, worldwide standards will be available. What I suggest is that chemists join one or more of any of the standards organizations. The easiest one is ASTM because anyone can join for $75/year, get on the committees of their choice. You can do the rest by e-mail: that is read the meeting minutes, review proposed changes and vote. You do have to vote or you lose your membership. NFPA is much harder to get on. You have to make application and often wait for a vacancy. So is ANSI more difficult. And some ANSI approved sections like ESTA require you attend meetings held at various locations around the country at your own expense. In this way, voting is essentially restricted to those who can afford the time and the money for two or three day unpaid vacations. Manufacturers and major stake holders are the primary members of those committees. And that's why I can only monitor these standards rather than vote. I would be glad to help anyone interesting in getting involved in ASTM do so. It really doesn't take that much time. And for your $75, each year you get your choice of one of the big volumes of standards for your library. I only go to meetings when I have an important presentation to make. Plus, if you are like me, a nationally recognized expert, ASTM helps pay your airfare! I love to argue and to stimulate responses, the more passionate the better. The heated discussions force us to organize our thoughts on these subjects. But there is no reason for people to take any of this personally. We are all on the same side here. Monona Rossol In a message dated 11/11/04 8:58:08 PM Eastern Standard Time, mrsafetyman**At_Symbol_Here**JUNO.COM writes: > As a safety professional I am concerned that this interest was not > displayed during the appropriate times. The ASSE, American Society of Safety > Engineers closely works with ANSI and OSHA during the development phases of new rules > and codes. They both usually allow due notice and ample time to respond to > issues. Where was this organiztion then??? > There is certainly a huge difference of interests between this chemical > society and the ASSE. It is really amazing that a comment about someones lack of > professional experitise about a safety issue could elicite so many responses > that the ansi standard already covers. In fact the ASSE held an open response > forum on this issue last year prior to its implementation. > Are these responses genuine or in fact a response to a legitimate challenge. > > This is also the last time I will respond or play part in this network. > There is a definite gap between what this organizations interests are and the > Safety field. For those who are so educated, the responses are defensive and > childish. When I responded last year about the new eyewear standard > implementation, a few Good Old Chemical Group Boys and Girls mocked my comments even > though I was right on the standard implementation dates. I am glad I will not be > part of this ego network. > I will now return to important safety issues somewhere else. Oh by the way > please keep up to date on the standards, proposed changes, and implementation > of in the future. I'm outa here!!!! > In a message dated 11/11/04 8:57:56 PM Eastern Standard Time, mrsafetyman**At_Symbol_Here**JUNO.COM writes: > Try joining a real safety organization the ASSE, they have committees for > all safety issues including the PPE eyewear standard and seperate ansi > committee. How safety minded is everyone here really???? > > Join and do something about it instead of rambling personal opinions on deaf > ears. > >
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