A number of traditional library resources are available for identifying relevant codes and standards. Many codes and standards organizations also have web sites. However, most organizations charge fees for their codes and standards -- the library may be one way for you to obtain codes and standards at no cost to you.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
This Department of Health and Human Services branch is responsible for areas of public health and safety. For instance, they worked to track down the spinach sources of E. coli in the recent outbreak. They also have several databases to search for medical devices, recalls and consensus standards. One area of great interest is the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) overseeing medical devices and clinical laboratory practices.
USA.gov
Another place to find government information is from USA.gov- the U.S. Government's official web portal.
ASTM Standards
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) annually publishes more than 10,000 standards in a 73-volume set entitled Annual Book of ASTM Standards. The ASTM's Committee F-4 on Medical and Surgical Materials and Devices publishes hundreds of biomedical standards. Current ASTM standards may be ordered electronically from the MSOE Library.
Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS)
The Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS) is the leading worldwide member organization devoted to the health product regulatory profession. With more than 11,000 individual members from industry, government, research, clinical and academic organizations in more than 50 countries, RAPS develops professional standards for knowledge, competency and ethics and is the leading source of information on the scope of practice of regulatory professionals and their critical roles in the health sector.
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Regulations and Compliance Links
This is a "comprehensive and easy to use resource for current OSHA standards and compliance-related information". Includes links to the OSH Act, OSHA Regulations, OSHA Standards, Frequently Asked Questions, Compliance Directives, Compliance Guides, the Field Inspection Reference Manual, and the Review Commission Decisions.
OSHA Standards (29 CFR)
Online access to standards produced by OSHA.
Joint Commission
The Joint Commission publishes standards for patient / public health and safety for many areas of healthcare including hospitals, long term care facilities, and home care providers. Each area has its own accreditation manual that service providers need to follow. The healthcare facility receives an "accrediting" survey visit of a proscribed period of time (generally from one year to six years). Every department of the facility must meet or exceed the standards prescribed for their area in order to meet "full" accreditation.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Contains resources about workplace illness and injury information.
Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA)
A branch of the U.S. Department of Labor and is responsible for the health and safety of the nations' miners. This site includes Title 30 CFR Parts 1-199 and information on the Federal Mine Safety Health Act of 1977.
NFPA Codes Online
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) International is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to "reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by developing and advocating scientifically based consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.
The NFPA Codes Database provides online access to current NFPA Codes 1 through 9999, Archive Codes 1 through 9999, the NFC Online Glossary, and the NFC Online Master Index. Check with the library to request codes.
Important codes produced by the NFPA include the following:
- NFPA 1, Fire Prevention Code
Provides the requirements necessary to establish a reasonable level of fire safety and property protection in new and existing buildings. - NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code
The safety benchmark for fuel gas installations. - NFPA 70, National Electrical Code
The world's most widely used and accepted code for electrical installations. - NFPA 101, Life Safety Code
Establishes minimum requirements for new and existing buildings to protect building occupants from fire, smoke, and toxic fumes.
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