Expressing Standards – Safety Provisions

Standards and regulations often look like a jumbled mess of letters and numbers; however, if we express them correctly, they will be referenceable to our customers. The most important thing we can do is include enough information to make the jumbled numbers and letters identifiable. We usually list safety standards in the following locations:

Product pages on the website
Standards slide in PowerPoint trainings
Course catalog website
Standards folder inside DIY kits

The following sections will help you as you cite standards from OSHA, Canada, Cal/OSHA, and other non-regulatory bodies.

OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces many of the laws listed under Title 29 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. Specifically, Parts 1900 through 1999 are under OSHA's jurisdiction. Most often, we cite standards from the following Parts in our courses:

To ensure that you are providing enough detail regarding OSHA standards, include the Title number, Part number, Section code, and exact name (including punctuation and capitalization).

Bad: 1910.23
Good: 29 CFR 1910.23 - Ladders.

Canada

Canada's federal laws regarding labor and occupational safety are not as robust as those in the U.S.; however, Canada still has laws about labor within the Canada Labour Code (R.S.C., 1985, c. L-2). The Canada Labour Code enables the existence of Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304). Canadian federal laws are broken into Parts, Divisions, and Sections.

To properly cite a federal Canadian standard, include the name of the body of laws, Part number, Section number, and exact name (including punctuation and capitalization).

Bad: Part II 124
Good: Canada Labour Code (R.S.C., 1985, c.L-2) Part II Section 124 - Duties of Employers
Bad: Part II Section 2.2 - DIVISION I
Good: Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304) Part II Section 2.2 - DIVISION I - Buildings

Cal/OSHA

Cal/OSHA is the division of California's state government that deals with occupational safety and health. Cal/OSHA enforces some of the chapters under Title 8 of California's state regulations. Cal/OSHA standards are broken into Chapters, Subchapters, Articles, and Sections.

To properly cite a Cal/OSHA state regulation, include "Cal/OSHA Section" followed by the section number and the exact section name (including punctuation and capitalization).

Bad: Cal/OSHA 1541.1.
Good: Cal/OSHA Section 1541.1. Requirements for Protective Systems.

Non-Regulatory Bodies

Non-regulatory bodies are organizations that produce standards based on extensive research and industry best practices; however, those standards are not enforceable by law. These include organizations such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), International Standards Organization (ISO), and CSA Group.

These organizations do not have a uniform way of naming standards. As such, when you cite a standard from a non-regulatory body, include the name of the organization and the exact title of the standard (including punctuation and capitalization).

Bad: B56.6-2021
Good: ANSI/ITSDF B56.6-2021 - Safety Standard For Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks

Note: When you cite any safety standards, always go in order from regulatory to non-regulatory. For example, cite OSHA standards before you cite ANSI standards.

For more information about what authority these organizations have and when you can cite them in a course, refer to Understanding Compliance Standards.