Editing Standards and Codes.
Editing Standards and Codes of Practice requires familiarity with both styles of writing. I worked closely with both Standards and Codes in my scientific career, using Australian, New Zealand and US Standards when developing methodologies for research within the areas of biofuels and bioenergy. I also contributed to Codes in my position as a researcher.
Because Standards and Codes set out specifications, procedures and guidelines, many of which are associated with industry regulation and legislation, particular care must be taken to ensure the language is unambiguous. The language used must be consistent, clear and concise, and there must be no room for misinterpretation.
Case study.
PF Olsen Australia.
Copyediting and proofreading.
In 2020, the consulting firm PF Olsen Australia was appointed to review the Forest Safety Code for Tasmania. The Forest Safety Code needed to be amended as a result of changes in legislation brought about by the adoption of the nationally harmonised Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
In the months prior to engaging me as an editor, PF Olsen had gathered extensive feedback and released a preliminary draft.
The draft Forest Safety Code required substantive (or structural) editing to make sure that the modifications brought about by the review process were seamlessly incorporated into the document.
In my editing, I made sure that the intent of the Code was reflected in the language and content of the text. Particular attention was paid to verifying that words that required definitions were styled as defined terms and appeared in the glossary. An effort was also made to limit repetition in the Code, by ensuring the common risks associated with all forestry operations appeared in one chapter, and then risks aligned with specific tasks and processes appeared in individual chapters afterwards. The edited draft was then professionally designed and typeset by Craig Poore and released as a Consultation Draft.
After the Code has been designed and typeset, PF Olsen facilitated three industry workshops and invited further written feedback, and incorporated suggested changes to the Code.
After the amendments were incorporated into the typeset document, I proofread the final PDF to confirm that there were no errors. Heading levels and fonts were checked closely to ensure they were correct.
After the update of the Forest Safety Code, the review committee and the Tasmanian forest industry presented the document as an Exposure Draft to the Minister for Justice and recommended that it be adopted as an amendment to the previously registered Code of Practice.