As we prepare to join the celebration of World Standards Week on October 25-29, 2021, we find ourselves reflecting on what standards are, why they are important, and how we use them to create a positive impact in everything we do as an organization.
When considering the standardization of safety, it is important to think globally while acting locally.
ISO is an independent, non-governmental international organization with a membership of 166 national standards bodies. Through its members, it brings together experts to share knowledge and develop voluntary, consensus-based, market relevant International Standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges. The use of the standards aids in the creation of products and services that are safe, reliable, and of good quality. By enabling products or services from different markets to be directly compared, they facilitate companies in entering new markets and assist in the development of global trade on a fair basis.
Since 1918, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has overseen the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States. But what exactly is standardization? According to the definition, standardization is the process of implementing and developing technical standards based on the consensus of different parties that include firms, users, interest groups, standards organizations and governments.
Standardization helps to maximize compatibility, interoperability, safety, repeatability, or quality. One quote that comes to mind with standardization is “How you do anything is how you do everything.” – T. Harv Eker. This is the perfect mantra for the arboriculture industry, where one small mistake can have very severe consequences, including injury or death. By making the safest way of performing your job the standard for how you work every day, you are significantly minimizing your risks. The concept of having a standard way to perform tasks is relevant across every aspect of both work and life.
Here at NATS, we focus on four key performance indicators; trust, people, planet, and prosperity. We use ISO standards to guide us as an organization towards making these performance indicators a standard practice in everything we do and every decision we make.
Trust:
- Security and Resilience – Business Continuity Management Systems – ISO 22301-2019
- Governance of Organizations – ISO 37000-2021
People:
Prosperity:
Planet:
To ensure safety standards and regulations remain current, Ed Carpenter (NATS CEO), has been working diligently as the Chair of the ANSI Z133 Training Task Group to review and update the American National Standard Z133 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations. Please join Ed at the 2021 TCI EXPO in Indianapolis as he presents more information on the standard updates and changes that are coming soon!
