EIA: Setting a Standard for Safety

by Eric Schweitzer, EIA standards & statistics programs manager

EIA’s Waste Equipment Technology Association (WASTEC) is the secretariat for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z245 Committee. That means that WASTEC develops all of the equipment safety standards for the solid and recycling waste industries.

Seven subcommittees composed of industry experts and stakeholders have been established to act as the primary drafting groups for the content of these standards. These subcommittees develop the standards for mobile collection and transportation equipment, compactors, balers, carts and containers, size reduction equipment, mobile industrial tub grinders, transfer stations and material recovery facilities.

Anyone interested in getting involved in this effort should contact WASTEC via email at [email protected] or by phone at 202-244-4700.

Except where noted, the effective date of all requirements of these standards shall be 12 months after their date of approval by the ANSI. For all equipment manufactured prior to 12 months after the approval date of this standard, please refer to the previous editions of the  relevant ANSI standard.

New Standards

WASTEC is pleased to announce that the following ASC Z245 final draft documents have received formal notification on final action from ANSI. They are now designated and approved as ANSI standards.

ANSI Z245.2-2013 Equipment Technology and Operations for Wastes and Recyclable Materials - Stationary Compactors – Safety Requirements for Installation, Maintenance and Operation (5/1/2013)

This standard revises the stationary compactor safety requirements found in ANSI Z245.2-2008 by providing specific requirements for installation, maintenance, repair and operation necessary to ensure the safety operation of the stationary compactors. This standard complements ANSI Z245.21-2013, which details the safety requirements for the design and construction of stationary compactors.

The effective date of all requirements of this standard shall be immediate. For all stationary compacting equipment manufactured prior to 12 months after the approval date of this standard, please refer to the previous editions of the ANSI Z245.2 standard.

ANSI Z245.21-2013 Equipment Technology and Operations for Wastes and Recyclable Materials - Stationary Compactors – Safety Requirements for Installation, Maintenance and Operation (5/1/2013)

This standard revises requirements to minimize the risk of fire, electrical shock and injury to persons during operation and maintenance of stationary compacting equipment for use with wastes and recyclable materials by commercial businesses, apartment buildings, industrial plants, waste processing facilities, waste disposal and transfer industries, and recycling facilities.

ANSI Z245.5-2013 Equipment Technology and Operations for Wastes and Recyclable Materials - Baling Equipment - Safety Requirements for Installation, Maintenance and Operation (5/1/2013)

This standard revises the baling equipment safety requirements found in ANSI Z245.5-2008 by providing specific requirements for installation, maintenance, repair and operation necessary to ensure the safe operation of the baler.

This standard complements ANSI Z245.51-2013, Baling Equipment – Safety Requirements, which details the safety requirements for design and construction of balers.

ANSI Z245.51-2013 Equipment Technology and Operations for Wastes and Recyclable Materials - Baling Equipment - Safety Requirements (approval date of final action: 5/1/2013)

This standard revises the baler safety requirements found in ANSI Z245.51-2008. The complementary safety requirements for users/operators, installers and maintenance/repair individuals can be found in ANSI Z245.5-2008.

Eric Schweitzer oversees the development of new safety and performance standards for the Waste Equipment Technology Association’s (WASTEC’s) ANSI Z245 Committee and subcommittees and further drives the acceptance of these industry standards nationally and internationally. He can be reached at [email protected].