The updated standard that defines minimum performance requirements for occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) is now open for comment, according to the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

The AIHA says the comment period for AIHA/ANSI Z10 standard runs until January 9, 2012.

The voluntary consensus standard uses recognized management system principles in order to be compatible with quality and
environmental management system standards such as the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 series. The standard also draws from approaches used by the International Labor Organization's (ILO) guidelines on Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems and from systems in use in
organizations in the U.S.

According to a statement released by the AIHA; "The design of ANSI Z10 encourages integration with other management systems to facilitate
organizational effectiveness using the elements of Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model as the basis for continual improvement. The adoption of Z10 fits well with organizations desiring longterm sustainable growth in a socially responsible manner by reducing injury and illness and improving overall employee well-being. An OHSMS implemented in conformance with the Z10 standard can help organizations minimize workplace risks and reduce the occurrence and cost of occupational injuries, illnesses and fatalities.

The draft is available at: www.aiha.org/insideaiha/standards/Pages/Z10.aspx.