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CHUCK LINK executive director

HE FEASIBILITY of a universal bar coding system for lumber and wood products is being investigated by a task force of wood producers, distributors and retailers.

Bar coding is the process of applying identification codes to products to enable computerized inventory control and pricing. The grocery industry currently uses bar coding for most products. The system may be adaptable to wood products to obtain greater efficiencies and lower cost of distribution and handling.

The initial meeting of the bar coding task force was held July 12, 1988, with representatives of the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association, North American Wholesale Lumber Association. National Forest Products Association and soltware companies in attendance.

The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard has been clarified by the U.S. Court of Appeals to apply only to the "construction industry." Lumber and building material dealers are required to comply, and enforcement of the HCS began August 1, 1988.