Why Industry Standards
At ISFA, we believe standards should be built by the people doing the work, not written from the outside looking in.
Why ISFA Believes in Industry Standards
Industry standards create a clear, fair baseline for how fabrication work is done, especially when it comes to worker safety, shop practices, training, and accountability. When standards are clear and consistent, everyone benefits, workers are better protected, shops compete on a level playing field, and regulators and customers know what “good” looks like.
That belief is at the core of ISFA’s work on shop licensing and the Fabricator Safety Initiative (FSI). Our goal is simple: fix safety and compliance issues on the shop floor, using real-world standards that actually work in fabrication environments.
Why ANSI and ISO Approval Matters
Not all standards are created equal.
ISFA develops standards using the formal, accredited processes of ANSI and ISO because these processes are built on fairness, transparency, and consensus.
The ANSI and ISO processes require:
- Open participation from all affected stakeholders
- Balanced representation—no single group controls the outcome
- Public review and documented responses to comments
- Consensus-based decisions, not unilateral rules
This matters because standards developed through ANSI and ISO:
- Hold up under regulatory and legal scrutiny
- Are trusted by regulators, insurers, and policymakers
- Prevent rules from being written about our industry without our input
- Create a stable foundation for licensing and enforcement
These standards aren’t opinions; they’re defensible, documented, and built to last.
How This Connects to Licensing and the Fabricator Safety Initiative (FSI)
ISFA’s licensing framework and FSI are not standalone programs, they are built on accredited industry standards.
- Licensing defines who is qualified to operate a fabrication shop and what minimum requirements must be met
- FSI focuses on how work is actually performed, especially around silica exposure, air quality, training, and controls
By anchoring both licensing and FSI to ANSI- and ISO-developed standards, ISFA ensures:
- Requirements are clear, measurable, and auditable
- Shops know exactly what is expected
- Enforcement is based on observable conditions, not guesswork
- Safety improvements are consistent across the industry
This approach moves the industry away from bans, confusion, and finger-pointing—and toward accountability, training, and real safety outcomes.
How to Get Involved
Strong standards only happen when the industry shows up.
ISFA invites fabricators, suppliers, equipment manufacturers, safety professionals, and industry partners to participate in the standards development process, licensing discussions, and FSI implementation.
You can get involved by:
- Participating in standards committees or working groups
- Providing real-world input from your shop or field experience
- Supporting the Fabricator Safety Initiative
- Helping shape licensing requirements that are fair, practical, and effective
Contact ISFA to learn how your organization can participate and help shape the future of our industry—together.