Type of Standards

Industry Standards are generally accepted requirements that are documented to govern the effective and efficient way that operators/members of a specific industry conduct business. Industry standards are set to assist with the safe operation of an entity to include welfare of employees, worker competencies, product, process, facility and statutory requirements of that industry. Industry Standards applies to large and small business as well as the self employed in a variety of categories to include but not limited to product, facility and occupational standards. The SLBS is an industry standards board with the responsibility for product and process certification, compliance in terms of the enforcement of compulsory national standards and international standards where applicable, verification and calibration of measuring devices. As an Industrial Standards organisation the SLBS provides technical information services as well as training and other specific conformity related activities and development of sector-based standards in order to promote the enhancement of the economy of Saint Lucia. In the case of Work Health and Safety most Industry standards may be described in the form of duties and categorized as responsibilities such as:

The responsibilities of the employer to include

Ensuring that the places of work under their management are safe.
Ensuring that risk management procedures for the safe use, handling, storage and transport of plant materials are established for their workplace.
Ensuring that systems of work and the work environments are safe, without risks to health.
Ensuring that information, instruction, training and supervision is provided to support the safety of employees.
Ensuring the provision of adequate facilities for the welfare of employees.
Taking reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and others.
Co-operating with employers in their efforts to comply with occupational, health and safety requirements.

Facility Standards are industry standards that are produced to document the responsibilities of the employer to ensure that the places of work under their management are safe. Facilities Standards provide guidance and assistance aimed at protecting people at work in terms of the health, safety and welfare of individuals in a work environment as well as risk management procedures for the safe use and protection of customers and other persons who use their facilities. Facility Standards are usually produced and used by authorizing agencies specifying the minimum requirements for the issuance of licenses and or permission to operate as well as the ability for a training provider/ institution to provide training in a particular industry.

Occupational standards are Industry standards governing worker competencies to include the knowledge, skills and attitudes requirements for competent performance in a particular job role. Occupational Standards are developed and validated by practitioners and professionals in the industry in collaboration with institutions responsible for the licensing and statutory requirements of that industry.

Occupational standards describe what a worker:

Is expected to be able to complete ( the task, the job or function).
Need to know in order to succeed in today’s workplace.
Must demonstrate as work attitudes.