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ANSI denies ACCT appeal of ANSI grant of standards to PRCA

Posted: September 16, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Challenge or Ropes Course | Tags: , , , , , , |Leave a comment

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rockford, IL 8-30-2014
ANSI/PRCA American National Standard UPHELD
The Association for Challenge Course Technology appeal to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Board of Standard Review (BSR) regarding the ANSI/PRCA American National Standard (ANS) is denied. The ANSI/PRCA American National Standard, safety standards for Ropes Courses, Aerial Adventure Parks and Ziplines remains current and ANSI approved.
After years of accusations and appeals by the ACCT to ANSI, to have the PRCA American National Standard suspended and/or revoked, the ANSI BSR refused to suspend the approval of the ANS during the appeal period; then on August 14, 2014 the ANSI BSR issued a formal decision upholding its previous approval of the current ANSI/PRCA 1.0-.3-2014 standard as an American National Standard (March 2014).This is welcome and great news for the industry which has recently endured the tragedies of employee fatalities and has long awaited the opportunity to train and certify its own staff without having to resort to outside vendors.”It validates our hard work and the attempts to bridge our differences with ACCT over the years,” states Steve Gustafson, President of the PRCA Board of Directors. The recent ANSI BSR decision bears out the many actions taken since 2006 by the PRCA to attempt collaboration with the ACCT per as ANSI BSR October 2006 decision. These included offers to issue a joint ANS with the ACCT. Gustafson goes on to state, “We are especially pleased that our outreach efforts and thousands of volunteer hours developing these industry consensus based safety standards have been recognized and may be finally brought into the public light for the benefit of the entire industry.”ACCT had previously filed an appeal with ANSI (2006) to have the PRCA’s ANSI Accredited Standard Developer status revoked, that appeal was also denied.
(Excerpts from ANSI BSR decision letter)ANSI BOARD OF STANDARDS REVIEW (BSR)SUMMARY DECISIONIn response to the appeal filed by the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) with the ANSI Board of Standards Review (BSR) in connection with its decision to approve PRCA 1.0-.3- 2014 Ropes Challenge Course Installation, Operation & Training Standards as an American National Standard (ANS), the ANSI BSR denies the appeal and upholds its prior decision to approve.
Appellant:
Represented by:
Mr. Dan Bart, Attorney & ACCT Consultant
Mr. James Borishade, Executive Director, ACCT
Mr. Don Stock, The Adventure Guild, ZIPStream Aerial AdventuresRespondent:
Represented by:
Mr. Mike Barker, VP PRCA Board of Directors
Mr. Steve Oksala, PRCA Consultant
Mr. Steve Peluso, AttorneyHearing Date: August 7, 2014
Hearing Location: ANSI, New YorkANSI Board of Standards Review Panel
Mr. Paul Bralower
Ms. Gabriella Davis
Ms. Cristine Fargo
Mr. Steve Ferguson, Chair
Ms. Megan Hayes
Ms. Pat McGuillicuddy
Ms. Nathalie Rioux

I. Introduction
ACCT (Appellant) appeals the decision of the ANSI Board of Standards Review (BSR), issued on March 3, 2014, to approve PRCA 1.0-.3-2014 Ropes Challenge Course Installation, Operation & Training Standards as an American National Standard (ANS).

An appeals hearing was held by the BSR on August 7, 2014. For the reasons set forth below, the BSR denies the appeal and upholds its prior decision to approve.

Conclusion
The BSR finds that ACCT has not provided sufficient or compelling evidence to warrant the withdrawal of the approval of PRCA 1.0-.3-2014 as an American National Standard. While PRCA’s standards development process necessitated corrective actions prior to the BSR’s final decision to approve, those actions were taken to the satisfaction of the BSR and we believe that due process was afforded ACCT and other participants.

Accordingly, in light of the written evidence and oral testimony presented by all parties and based on the specific discussions set forth earlier in this decision, the ANSI BSR denies the appeal and finds that its prior decision to approve PRCA 1.0-.3-2014 as an ANS was appropriate. As a result, PRCA 1.0-.3-2014 remains an approved American National Standard.

(Read the full decision here)

If you would like to purchase a copy of the ANSI/PRCA American National Standard, please visit the PRCA website and become a member or purchase a copy without membership. Once your registration is completed, you will received a licensed copy of the standard in your electronic mail.

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