The ballot to approve revisions to the Z136 Procedures closed on March 24, 2020 at 5:00 pm EDT. Per section 7.6.1 and 7.7.2 of the Procedures, the ballot was for the full Committee and comments were collected.

Of 76 eligible votes, 62 eligible votes were returned. This is a return rate of 82%, validating the ballot. Of the votes received, two were abstentions. Less abstentions, 57 of 60 votes were affirmative (95%). Two-thirds majority is required for a change to the procedures, so the changes were approved.

In accordance with ASC Z136 Procedures, “Each unresolved objection and attempt at resolution, and any substantive change made in a proposed American National Standard shall be circulated to the entire balloting group to allow each member to confirm or change their vote or to comment.”

While this was not a standards document vote, it was of the type “Document or Procedure Ballot” that affords the membership the ability to vote negatively with reasons to include specific wording or actions that would resolve the objection to the proposed change. Further, per ANSI Essential Requirements, consideration shall be given to all negative votes accompanied by any comments related to the proposal under consideration. However, if comments not related to the proposed changes are submitted with a negative vote, the comments shall be documented and considered in the same manner as submittal of a new proposal.

A recirculation ballot for the Procedures is scheduled after the Z136.4 CDV1 ballot and the Z136.1 Invitation to Ballot conclude in May.

The summary of consensus body balloting group votes by interest category will be posted to the Z136.org website, ASC Z136 – General page

If you have any questions regarding this ballot, please do not hesitate to contact Liliana Caldero (lcaldero@lia.org).

Total eligible votes available: 76
Total eligible votes received: 63
Percent of committee participating: 83% (majority)

Approve Sheldon Zimmerman as chairperson of ASC Z136
Percent affirmative of total votes less abstentions 100%

Approve Clifton (C.D.) Clark II as vice-chairperson of ASC Z136
Percent affirmative of total votes less abstentions 98%

Approve Sheldon Zimmerman as chairperson of SSC-1
Percent affirmative of total votes less abstentions 100%

Approve Raymond Lanzafame as chairperson of SSC-3
Percent affirmative of total votes less abstentions 100%

Approve Fred Seeber as chairperson of SSC-5
Percent affirmative of total votes less abstentions 98%

Approve Robert Aldrich as chairperson of SSC-6
Percent affirmative of total votes less abstentions 100%

Approve Jim Sheehy as chairperson of SSC-7
Percent affirmative of total votes less abstentions 98%

Approve Ken Barat as chairperson of SSC-8
Percent affirmative of total votes less abstentions 96%

Approve Tom Lieb as chairperson of SSC-9
Percent affirmative of total votes less abstentions 100%

Approve Jay Parkinson as chairperson of SSC-10
Percent affirmative of total votes less abstentions 98%

Approve Brian Lund as chairperson of TSC-1
Percent affirmative of total votes less abstentions 100%

Approve Randy Paura as chairperson of TSC-2
Percent affirmative of total votes less abstentions 98%

Approve Mike Woods as chairperson of TSC-4
Percent affirmative of total votes less abstentions 98%

Approve Ben Edwards as chairperson of TSC-5
Percent affirmative of total votes less abstentions 98%

Approve Wes Marshall as chairperson of TSC-7
Percent affirmative of total votes less abstentions 98%

Approve David Sliney as individual member to ASC Z136
Percent affirmative of total votes less abstentions 98%

Summaries of consensus body balloting group votes by interest category will be posted to the Z136.org website, ASC Z136 – General page

If you have any questions regarding this ballot, please do not hesitate to contact Liliana Caldero (lcaldero@lia.org).

Most of you will be aware by now that COVID-19 has been declared to be a pandemic by the World Health Organization. As of that announcement, many more people have reached out to us to inform us that their employers have denied them travel unless it is deemed absolutely essential. In light of our shrinking attendance and the possibility that both our Chair (Sheldon Zimmerman) and Vice-Chair (C.D Clark) will also be unable to attend the meeting due to travel restrictions, we have made the decision to postpone the annual meeting and ancillary meetings of ASC Z136 until a later date this year (TBD). The ADCOM will meet virtually this month to discuss meeting preparations.

The decision to postpone these meetings was given much consideration over the past month as events unfolded and new information became available. We tried to make the decision as soon as reasonably possible so that you would be able to change your travel plans. Many airlines and hotels are being accommodating in adjusting their cancellation policies in consideration of the challenges brought about by concerns over COVID-19. Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding; we wish everyone good health in the days to come and we will be in touch with new meeting details in the coming weeks.

Best wishes,

Liliana Caldero, Secretariat Representative and Sheldon Zimmerman, ASC Z136 Chairman

(TC 172) ISO/DIS 11146-1, Lasers and laser-related equipment - Test methods for laser beam widths, divergence angles and beam propagation ratios - Part 1: Stigmatic and simple astigmatic beams

(TC 94) ISO/DIS 19818-1, Eye and face protection - Protection against laser radiation - Part 1: Requirements and test methods

Copies of the draft standards can be purchased from ANSI for $71.00 each (sales@ansi.org).
Comments regarding ISO standards should be sent to ANSI's ISO team (isot@ansi.org) in the approved ISO template as a Word document file.

The drafts of the following proposed ANSI standards are open to public comment until April 13, 2020:

B11.21-2006 (reaffirmation), Safety Requirements for Machine Tools Using Lasers for Processing Materials.
This standard applies to machine tools using a laser for processing materials, and its associated equpment. It describes the hazards generated by such machines and states the protective measures to be incorporated into such machines. The standard also contains requirements for the information provided with such machines. Excluded from the requirements of this document are: photolithography, holography, equipment used in medical applications; data storage; laser printers; and copiers.

Single copy price: $99.00
Order from: Chris Felinski, cfelinski@b11standards.org (send comments to same).

A ballot to approve ASC Z136 officers and members and a ballot to approve changes to the procedures opened Monday, Februaty 24, 2020 to members of ASC Z136. The ballot for officers closes March 16, 2020 at 5:00 pm EDT and the ballot for procedures closes March 24, 2020 at 5:00 pm EDT. If you are a member of the main committee (ASC Z136) and need assistance logging in to complete your ballot, please contact Liliana Caldero (lcaldero@lia.org) as soon as possible, as no late ballots will be accepted.