Materials handling professionals, whether they are planning for, specifying, or purchasing a single piece of equipment or an entire integrated system, need to know and understand applicable related standards.

There are many reasons for following materials handling standards. Standards eliminate excess costs, boost productivity, satisfy customer needs, and protect the work force and the public. Standards provide at least a minimum acceptable level of quality and performance.

There are nearly 14,000 American National Standards in force, developed by nearly 250 standards developing organizations. Among them are some 160 standards directly related to materials handling equipment, as identified by the Material Handling Industry trade association, MHI.

This trade group, moreover, is an accredited standards developer. It has been directly involved in developing and maintaining 19 of these standards. They relate to industrial shelving, steel storage racks, scissors lifts, industrial metal containers, wire decking, monorails, cranes, loading dock levelers, and automation identification technology.

Many other materials handling standards for machinery, packaging, package testing, and other technologies are developed by other organizations, such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Society for Testing and Materials.

Where should you jump in? How do you become informed? How do you get involved?

Staying informed. One of the primary information sources concentrating on standards development is a bi-weekly publication, Standards Action, developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Standards Action lists all activity that is passed through ANSI concerning the development, revision, and withdrawal of standards both in the U.S. and internationally. Standards Action is now only available electronically at the following web site address: ansi.org/rooms/room_14/.To find standards and information, you should use the web sites provided by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) (www.ansi.org and www.nssn.org), and the International Standards Organization (ISO) at (www.iso.ch and www.wssn.org).

Becoming involved. We suggest that every MHMS member consider the necessity and benefits of involvement in and awareness of the standards development process either as a standards committee member or as a canvassee (reviewer of developed standards). If you aren't involved as an influencer in the development process you may be left at a disadvantage.

If you want to become involved in the review of standards, you should make a request to the Material Handling Industry of America to be added to their list of potential standards reviewers. Then you will periodically receive announcements when work on development or review of new standards is underway. To put your name on the list, send all of your contact information (name, title, company, address, phone, fax, email) to the email address mhstd@mhia.org with the subject, "Join Potential Standards Reviewers List."

For more information visit: www.mhia.org/mhms or call 704-676-1183.