ASSP Revises Standards for Safety Training and Hazardous Energy Control
The ASSP has updated two safety standards to improve workplace safety training and hazardous energy control.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Dec 17, 2024
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has updated two key workplace safety standards to enhance safety training and prevent hazardous energy incidents.
According to a recent release, the revised standards include ANSI/ASSP Z490.1-2024—which focuses on developing effective safety, health, and environmental training programs—and ANSI/ASSP Z244.1-2024, which addresses controlling hazardous energy through lockout, tagout and alternative methods.
The Z490.1-2024 standard now incorporates both in-person and virtual training, reflecting changes in workplace practices since the COVID-19 pandemic. The standard outlines methods for evaluating training effectiveness, ensuring compliance, and aligning programs with company policies and regulatory requirements.
The Z244.1-2024 standard highlights the need to protect workers from hazardous energy sources, such as electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic and thermal energy. These hazards, if uncontrolled, can lead to severe injuries or fatalities during equipment operation, maintenance or repair.
While federal regulations provide a baseline for safety, ASSP’s voluntary consensus standards are designed to address gaps and incorporate the latest industry advancements. Companies prioritizing worker safety can reduce costs associated with incidents, such as medical expenses, lost productivity and equipment damage.
“Our standards-development committees provide a technical expertise that ensures our standards reflect the latest industry advancements and best safety practices,” ASSP President Pam Walaski said in a statement. “The end result is fewer injuries, illnesses and fatalities on the job.”
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.