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Did you catch the recent Series 2, Episode 19 of Mighty Line Minute, Time for a Regulatory Revolution? If so, we’re glad you joined us. If you missed it, here’s your opportunity to learn more!
Recently, we had the pleasure of spending time at Mighty Line’s headquarters in Ohio, sitting down with Dave – Mighty Line Minute’s founder with an ever-curious mind. In true Mighty Line fashion, our conversation took a deep dive into the world of EHS regulations and engineering, construction, energy and fire and life-safety codes and standards. What started as a casual discussion quickly became something more profound.
Dave posed a question that caught us off guard: “Is it time for a regulatory revolution?”
At first, the idea sounded radical. But the more we discussed it, the more we realized: it’s not radical at all. In fact, it’s timely, thoughtful - and likely, well overdue.
Across the U.S. and the globe, codes and standards are carefully crafted to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance. These regulations span everything from structural engineering to the anti-static properties of shoes, flooring, and plastics. They help guarantee safe buildings, guide responsible material design use, and keep both workers, end-users and the public protected.
Most importantly, these rules are grounded in the latest knowledge - built from research, technical data, real-world experience, and evolving best practices. National and international organizations like ANSI, ASME, ASTM, NFPA, OSHA, the UN, and others including the EU, UK, Australia, many more countries contribute immensely to this ongoing effort. And it’s all for the good of the order, so-to-speak.
But here’s the catch: somewhere along the line, these well-intentioned documents have become increasingly bloated with legalese and over-explained technical jargon. What was once written to be understood by the everyday safety manager or facilities engineer is now practically encoded in lawyer-speak.
Why Are We Still Writing Codes for Lawyers?
One of the most frustrating realities for businesses today is the difficulty in interpreting the very regulations that are supposed to keep all of us compliant and safe. Navigating complex paragraphs, double-negatives, and endless sub-clauses can feel like reading a foreign language - unless, of course, you're a seasoned code interpreter or legal expert.
Regulations should educate and empower, not confuse and overwhelm. Yet, the thickness of today’s standards manuals continues to grow, both physically and digitally. To make matters worse, the documentation doesn't stop at the standards themselves - there are supplemental books, interpretations, training programs, and even forums to help decode what’s already been written.
This is where Dave’s idea starts to make a lot of sense.
What If We Could Streamline the Process with a Regulatory Revolution?
Rather than waiting three to seven years for the next regulatory revision cycle, what if we could make improvements now? Not to the substance of the standards - but to their clarity.
Consider this: what if we could reduce the average word count in regulatory paragraphs by 10% to 20%, without losing any of the meaning or legal accuracy?
That’s not just a pipe dream - it’s already happening. We recently took a crack at simplifying just a few real-world examples:
The result? A 26.3% reduction in word count - with no loss in meaning or compliance integrity.
Let’s take a closer look at one example that perfectly illustrates the issue and the potential for improvement.
Real-World Example: OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard
Here’s OSHA’s current wording from section 1910.1200(e)(1), clocking in at 88 words:
“Employers shall develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, and which also includes the following…”
(...and it continues with sub-sections and additional explanations.)
Now here’s a clearer, shorter version with the same core meaning – in only 62 words:
“Employers shall create, implement, and maintain a written hazard communication program at each workplace. The program shall explain how labeling, safety data sheets (SDS), and employee training - per paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) - will be handled. It shall also include: (i) A list of known hazardous chemicals by product name, and (ii) Methods for informing employees about non-routine task and pipe hazards.”
Same regulatory intent. Less reading. More clarity.
The Case for a Word Count Reduction Initiative (a Regulatory Revolution!)
We’re not advocating for careless editing or hasty rewriting. Standards must remain legally sound, technically accurate, and globally aligned. But they can also be clear, concise, and usable.
Even a modest reduction in average word counts - say, 15% - could dramatically improve comprehension, reduce compliance risks, and make life easier for designers, EHS professionals, facility managers, business owners, and enforcers alike.
Imagine if every code-writing body committed to reviewing and tightening their documents with readability in mind. It wouldn’t just save paper and ink - it might save lives due to improved understanding and compliance.
So, Is It Time for a Regulatory Revolution?
If by “revolution” we mean a conscious, collective effort to improve the readability and accessibility of codes and standards, then yes - let’s start today.
Our regulations should be living documents, not cryptic codes only the initiated can understand. By simplifying how we write and explain these standards, we open the door for more people to engage, comply, and contribute meaningfully to a safer world. Yes - such an effort would be a "regulatory revolution!"
Final Thoughts
As Spring unfolds and we charge ahead into new projects and initiatives, let’s challenge ourselves to rethink how we write, read, and implement regulations.
Let’s start small: by rewriting just one paragraph, one sentence, or even one bloated clause.
From all of us at here Mighty Line, thanks for reading - and for being part of the conversation. Stay safe, keep pushing boundaries, and as always, don’t forget to visit MightyLineTape.com for safety tools and solutions that help you work safer and smarter.
See you again soon on the next edition of Mighty Line Minute!
