Staying Ahead of Safety: Why ANSI Standards Matter More Than Ever

At Kimball Midwest, workplace safety has always been a top priority. As we partner with businesses across the country, we consistently hear one message: Employers want to keep their teams safe, productive and protected. One of the best ways to achieve this is by staying informed about the latest American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards and how they affect safety products and compliance.

While Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations often receive the most attention, ANSI also plays a significant role in shaping modern safety practices. Understanding how ANSI standards evolve — and how they differ from OSHA requirements — helps employers stay ahead of risks and maintain a safer work environment.

What Are ANSI Standards?

ANSI standards are voluntary, consensus-driven guidelines designed to reflect the latest advancements in workplace safety, equipment technology and industry best practices. These standards are reviewed every five years, ensuring they remain relevant to:

• New technologies
• Updated safety equipment
• Changing workplace hazards

Because these standards stay current and forward-thinking, companies that follow them can avoid outdated practices and strengthen safety throughout their operations.

At Kimball Midwest, we actively monitor updates from ANSI to ensure our product offerings meet — and often exceed — the latest safety expectations.

How ANSI and OSHA Work Together

Although ANSI standards are not enforceable by law, OSHA frequently adopts them into its regulatory framework.

A key detail employers should understand is this:
OSHA does not update its rules as frequently as ANSI updates its standards.

This means OSHA may reference an older version of a standard even after ANSI has released a newer, more protective edition. Fortunately, OSHA allows employers to follow the updated ANSI standard without penalty as long as it provides equal or greater protection.

This flexibility allows organizations to implement the latest safety improvements without waiting for regulatory updates — a philosophy we strongly support at Kimball Midwest.

Example: High-Visibility Apparel (ANSI/ISEA 107-2020)

The ANSI/ISEA 107 standard is one of the most recognized safety specifications for high-visibility apparel.

For reference:
ANSI/ISEA 107-2020: High-Visibility Safety Apparel – The ANSI Blog

Key refinements in the 2020 update included:

• Removing criteria for high-visibility accessories to emphasize garment configuration and performance class.
• Adding requirements for single-use disposable coveralls, acknowledging that garments in some environments may quickly become soiled.
• Updating material integrity tests to align with current testing methods.
• Introducing optional nighttime luminance evaluations using ASTM E1.50-1, which covers the support of temporary large display systems.

At Kimball Midwest, we track these refinements closely to ensure the high-visibility products we provide are aligned with the latest safety guidance.

Real-World Impact: How ANSI Updates Influence Kimball Midwest Products

ANSI updates directly influence the products businesses rely on every day. A recent example is the update to ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021, which sets new minimum requirements for workplace first-aid kits.

Reference:
Workplace First Aid Kits – ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 – The ANSI Blog

To support our customers, Kimball Midwest updated its entire line of first-aid kits to ensure they meet the new classifications and content requirements introduced in 2021. This is part of our ongoing commitment to offering safety products that reflect the most current standards in the industry.

Why Staying Current with ANSI Standards Matters

At Kimball Midwest, we believe that staying informed about ANSI updates provides meaningful advantages:

• A safer workplace, backed by the latest safety science and technology
• Confidence and consistency, thanks to unified industry guidelines
• Reduced risk and liability, as updated standards support stronger protection
• Better alignment with future OSHA regulations, which often adopt ANSI standards

By staying ahead of ANSI revisions, employers take a proactive approach to protecting their teams — and we’re proud to support them every step of the way.

You can reach out to your sales representative today to explore first-aid kits and learn how Kimball Midwest can get your team up to ANSI standards. If you do not have a rep, we can help you