Origin of OSHA Standards

Initially, the OSHA standards were taken from three sources consensus standards, proprietary standards, and federal laws in effect when the Act became law (OSHATI, 1994, chap. 2). 

Consensus standards are developed by industrywide, standard-developing organizations discussed and substantially agreed on through consensus by industry. OSHA has incorporated standards of the two primary standards groups, the American National Standards 

Institute (ANSI) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). For example, ANSI Standard B56.1-1969, Standard for Powered Industrial Trucks, covers the safety requirements relating to the elements of design, operation, and maintenance of powered industrial trucks. 

Proprietary standards are prepared by professional experts within specific industries, professional societies, and associations. These standards are determined by membership vote, as opposed to consensus. An example of these would be the Compressed Gas Association s Pamphlet P-1, Safe Handling of Compressed Gases. This proprietary standard covers requirements for the handling, storage, and use of compressed gas cylinders (OSHATI, 1994, chap. 2). 

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