What are safety codes and standards intended to do?

Safety codes and standards are designed primarily to enhance public health and safety. They set the minimum requirements necessary to protect lives and prevent accidents related to various industries, including elevating devices. These codes provide guidelines that must be followed to ensure that equipment, processes, and installations do not pose any risk to users or the public.

By adhering to established safety codes, engineers, technicians, and manufacturers contribute to creating safer environments, minimizing hazards associated with malfunctioning equipment, poor design, or human error. The focus on public safety is critical, especially in areas like elevating devices, as any failure could result in serious injury or fatalities.

While aspects like reducing costs of compliance, ensuring ease of installation, and limiting the use of specific materials may be byproducts of adhering to safety standards, they are secondary to the primary aim of safeguarding human health and welfare. Understanding this hierarchy of priorities is essential for professionals working in fields governed by safety codes.