AIHA has just published ANSI/AIHA Z9.11−2008 Laboratory Decommissioning by the ANSI/AIHA Z9.11 Subcommittee. A strategy to perform a risk assessment of research space and to ensure the safety and readiness for the demolition worker to begin work, and/or for the next occupant is provided in this new standard. It identifies the minimum acceptable criteria for completing the decommissioning process, and documenting the necessary information for regulatory and historical purposes. Those involved in the development of a decommissioning plan for any size research laboratory will benefit by this guidance document. References, tables, and other resources for assessing the risk level of the project are also included. This new ANSI/AIHA standard (Stock No. IVEA08-751) is available at www.aiha.org/market,

Lou DiBerardinis, Co-Chair (MIT), Farhad Memarzadeh, Co-Chair (NIH)

ORF initiated the development of this standard in April 2005. The Z9.11 subcommittee was chartered to develop guidelines on decommissioning a research laboratory whenever laboratory spaces are to be renovated or demolished with a special emphasis on the risk assessment process.

It is unprecedented that an ANSI standard should be developed, reviewed and approved within 2 years. Approval of an American National Standard requires verification by ANSI that the requirement for due process, consensus, and other criteria for approval have been met by the standard's developer.

Consensus is established when, in the judgment of the ANSI Board of Standards Review, substantial agreement has been reached by directly and materially affected interests.

Thanks and congratulations go to the many NIH contributors, active committee participants and reviewers on the Z9.11 Subcommittee. Your attention to the details and your responses allowed this standard to be published in record time.