Industrial Safety & Hygiene News articles from August 2007

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News archives from August 2007

Don't let your facility go up in smoke: take control of flammable liquids to avoid a fire disaster.(facility safety)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Flammable and combustible liquids rank close to the top among workplace fire hazards. They burn readily and intensely, and can be highly explosive under the right--or shall we say, wrong--conditions. These...

Communications breakdown in safety? Is technology overtaking people skills?(EDITORIAL comments)
August 1, 2007... Take a look around and you might wonder what's happened to the art of communication. We seldom talk to bank tellers; simply take our business to an ATM. Make AMTRAK reservations, for instance, and you talk slowly to a voice recognition...

Workplace injuries deserve same science as cancer, speaker says.(news SCAN)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As costly and debilitating as injuries and illnesses can be, the field of workplace safety and health should be researched like cancer and strokes are, said Roger Kahler, principal consultant and director of The...

Report: employee vision problems costly for employers.(news SCAN)(Report)
August 1, 2007... Vision disorders result in a considerable decrease in productivity and cost businesses an estimated $8 billion annually, according to a new report from the Vision Council of America (VCA). "Direct medical costs associated with vision...

BP questioned over safety at Alaskan oilfield.(news SCAN)
August 1, 2007... BP is under the safety microscope again, this time for alleged lapses in its Alaskan oilfield. Congressman George Miller, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Education and Labor, wants BP to respond to charges of...

S.C. warehouse fire deadliest for firefighters since 9/11.(news scan)
August 1, 2007... Nine firefighters who were killed in a South Carolina furniture warehouse fire June 18 might have fallen victim to a flashover, in which superhot gases heat a building and its contents so intensely that they burst into flames, the Associated...

Researchers: update sizing system for fall-arrest harnesses.(STUDY)
August 1, 2007... Could poor-fitting fall-arrest harnesses be a contributing factor as to why falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry? A recent study found that current fall-arrest harnesses did not properly fit at least 24...

Bush taps Thompson for chair of OSHRC.(rules & REGS)(Horace A. Thompson III appointed at United States. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... President Bush has designated Horace A. "Topper" Thompson III to serve as Chairman of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), an independent federal adjudicatory agency that decides appeals of OSHA citations resulting from...

OSHA ordered to release toxicity data as whistleblower wins case.(rules & REGS)
August 1, 2007... A federal judge has ordered OSHA to share with the public the results of years of toxic substance sampling in U.S. workplaces. The June 29 decision, by U.S. District Judge Mary L. Cooper, came in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit by former...

Drug use ruled irrelevant in worker injury.(rules & REGS)
August 1, 2007... Smoking marijuana in your off-time doesn't necessarily make you responsible for a workplace mishap that may follow, the Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled in the case of a Knoxville man whose hand was crushed on the job. [ILLUSTRATION...

Committee passes diacetyl legislation.(rules & REGS)
August 1, 2007... The House Education and Labor Committee approved legislation June 20 in a bipartisan voice vote to force OSHA to act to protect workers at food processing plants from exposure to diacetyl. The chemical is used in artificial flavoring in...

OSHA forms new directorate to strengthen training.(rules & REGS)(Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... OSHA formed a new directorate in June to increase the effectiveness of the agency's in-house and distributed training programs. The new Directorate of Training and Education will provide leadership and management of the OSHA Training...

Cal-OSHA faults zoo for tiger attack on worker.(rules & REGS)
August 1, 2007... The San Francisco Zoo is at fault for a gruesome tiger attack on a keeper, according to an investigation by California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal-OSHA), the San Francisco Chronicle reports. "It was obvious that any...

Quincy Castings Inc.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)
August 1, 2007... Quincy Castings Inc., Quincy, Ohio. Proposed penalties: $220,620 (issued 7/10/07) Through its Site-Specific Targeting Initiative, OSHA discovered multiple willful, serious and repeat safety violations at iron foundry business. Alleged...

SNL Construction.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)
August 1, 2007... SNL Construction, Barrigada Heights, Calif. Proposed penalties: $165,000 (issued 5/30/07) Guam-based construction company charged with two willful and five serious alleged safety violations at a water and sewer line construction site...

Kate Corp.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Kate Corp., Berea, Ohio Proposed penalties: $150,700 (issued 6/4/07) Investigation initiated after an assembly employee's thumb was amputated in December uncovered two willful and 21 serious alleged violations. Willful citations were...

Hubbard Feeds Inc.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)
August 1, 2007... Hubbard Feeds Inc., Bismarck, N.D. Proposed penalties: $144,000 (issued 5/30/07) Company cited for two willful and four serious violations of OSHA's grain bin entry standards following a December incident that injured three employees....

Fast-J Steel Erectors and Magna Steel Erectors.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)
August 1, 2007... Fast-J Steel Erectors and Magna Steel Erectors, Houston, Texas Proposed penalties: $123,750 (issued 6/6/07) Two Texas-based companies were charged with serious and repeat safety violations during construction of a metal building near...

Interstate Waste Services.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)
August 1, 2007... Interstate Waste Services, Sloatsburg, N.Y. Proposed penalties: $79,450 (issued 5/22/07) Waste collection and recycling company fined for 41 alleged serious violations at three of its Rockland County, N.Y., facilities. Six OSHA...

Chick Packaging of New England Inc.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)
August 1, 2007... Chick Packaging of New England Inc., Silver Lake, N.H. Proposed penalties: $62,500 (issued 5/23/07) A manufacturing company inspected under an OSHA program that targets workplaces with high instances of lost workdays, restricted duty...

Fargo Pacific Inc.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Fargo Pacific Inc., Tamuning, Guam Proposed penalties: $49,200 (issued 6/11/07) Guam-based construction company cited for one willful violation for failing to provide adequate cave-in protection. Three serious citations involved failure to...

David Burke Construction LLC.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)
August 1, 2007... David Burke Construction LLC, Buffalo, N.Y. Proposed penalties: $49,000 (issued 5/22/07) Construction firm cited for violating fall protection safety standards after an employee died from a 30-foot fall at a Buffalo worksite in March....

Williamsport Steel Container Co. Inc.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)
August 1, 2007... Williamsport Steel Container Co. Inc., Williamsport, Pa. Proposed penalties: $43,000 (issued 6/25/07) During a follow-up to a previous inspection, the company was issued three repeat violations for machine guarding hazards and improper...

What "color" are you? Circumstances might dictate personality characteristics.(PSYCHOLOGY of safety)
August 1, 2007... This is the second in a two-part series on the concept of personality colors. I've discussed the critical distinction between person trait versus state in "People-Based Safety[TM]: The Source." This differentiation is clearly relevant for...

Seven tips for buffing your image: after all, the profession is changing.(MANAGING BEST practices)
August 1, 2007... Image consulting is one of the hottest new businesses today, according to the Guide to Becoming an Image Consultant--http://www.FabJob.com/imageconsultant.asp. We see examples of image consulting often on reality TV through programs such as...

Business puts on its SOX: the focus on ethics can benefit safety.(POSITIVE SAFETY cultures)
August 1, 2007... One of the primary outcomes of the congressional hue and cry in the aftermath of the notorious Enron, Tyco International, and WorldCom accounting scandals was the Sarbanes-Oxley Law of 2002, known in shorthand as SOX. The intended consequences...

Solving the emergency eyewash puzzle: tips for putting the pieces together.(facility safety)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Did you know that, according to a 2005 OSHA report, 784 citations were issued to companies that did not have eyewash stations in near proximity to employees? Or that another 1,124 citations were issued to companies...

Pedestrian safety: averting an on-site tragedy.(facility safety)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Every year more than 5,000 pedestrians are killed by drivers in the United States. At corporate and industrial campuses employees take their chances against traffic and delivery trucks as they cross between...

1 Full face respirator.(PRODUCT UPDATE: respiratory protection)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 264 Offering optimum fit, comfort and superior optics, the Survivair Opti-Fit[TM] full face respirator provides a distortion-free lens with exceptional view. Lightweight construction reduces head and neck...

2 Air purifying respirators.(PRODUCT UPDATE: respiratory protection)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 261 MSA's Advantage 3000 APRs feature a lighter, softer Ultra Elite[R] facepiece for superb comfort and meet NIOSH and EN standards. All Advantage respirator cartridges and filters are interchangeable,...

3 SCBA.(PRODUCT UPDATE: respiratory protection)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 260 The Frontier industrial SCBA from Avon-ISI features a simple design, comfortable backframe, and non-complicated components for ease of maintenance. The facemask provides a 10,000-to-1 protection...

4 N95 particulate respirators.(PRODUCT UPDATE: respiratory protection)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 258 AOSafety,'s newest Pleats Plus N95 Particulate Respirators now feature even lower resistance filter material making them longer lasting, more comfortable and better fitting. The pleated design doubles...

5 Industrial SCBA.(PRODUCT UPDATE: respiratory protection)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 263 Designed for quick, easy use, Scott's ISCBA provides IDLH-level respiratory protection in non-fire related environments. The unit also accommodates a number of optional components that are easily...

6 Pancake filters.(PRODUCT UPDATE: respiratory protection)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 262 North Pancake filters are P100 and P100 with 3-in-1 nuisance level odor relief from organic vapors, acid gas and ozone, providing 99.97% protection for all particulates. Lightweight and low profile,...

7 Intrinsically safe PAPR.(PRODUCT UPDATE: respiratory protection)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 259 Bullard's PA30IS intrinsically safe powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) is rated Class I, Div. I, Group C by Factory Mutual, and is appropriate for certain types of potentially explosive...

Safety solutions right under your feet: floor mats address issues of cleanliness, comfort and safety.(facility safety)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What do floor and carpet cleaning schedules; employee safety, health and productivity; and visitor safety have in common? All of these issues can be addressed by making optimal use of today's floor mat options....

Electronic earmuffs: they offer wonderful benefits, but know when to use them--and when not to.
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the defense against hazardous noise exposure, earmuffs have the advantage of including electronics. Electronic earmuffs not only provide significant reduction of hazardous noise, but also offer an impressive array...

Hearing protection devices: understanding the value of a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR).
August 1, 2007... Choosing the right hearing protection device (HPD) should be based on two factors: comfort and performance. We could have a great debate on which of these factors is more important. I would argue that comfort should be of primary importance for...

Let your employees breathe easy: is it time to reevaluate your respiratory protection program?
August 1, 2007... OSHA reports that an estimated five million workers are required to wear respirators in 1.3 million workplaces throughout the United States. Respirators protect employees against air contaminants like gases, vapors and dusts, and protect...

Three keys to forging a winning safety culture: put your passion for safety into practice.(training STRATEGIES)
August 1, 2007... The secret to building a winning safety culture begins with you. When individuals model a passion and conviction to achieve zero injuries, organizations excel in safety. No matter where you fit in an organizational chart, you influence those...

How to use benchmarking to improve your safety and loss control programs.
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Do you cringe when your boss asks how your safety and loss control efforts compare to the market? How truly effective is your return-to-work program? Do you pay more or less than other companies to treat injuries and...

1 Push-in earplugs.(PRODUCT UPDATE: hearing protection)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 256 E-A-R Push-Ins with Grip Rings are ready to wear right out of the pack, without roll down. Made of patented E-A-Rform foam, the unique cone shape plug inserts easily and "molds" to the ear canal to...

2 Multi-position earmuff.(PRODUCT UPDATE: hearing protection)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 252 The Moldex M2 Multi-Position earmuff features SoftCoat[R] covering that helps muffle transmitted noise and special grips molded into the ear cups for quick, easy fitting and alignment. Cup adjustment...

3 High comfort muffs.(PRODUCT UPDATE: hearing protection)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 255 Elvex's new HB-640 and HB-650 earmuffs are designed to maximize comfort utilizing low headband force and enhanced cushion density, enabling extended periods of use. Soft, wide ear cushions distribute...

4 Noise measurement.(PRODUCT UPDATE: hearing protection)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 253 Larson Davis Spark[R] series of personal noise dosimeters and the SoundTrack LxT[R] Sound Level Meter offer automatic calculation of noise dose and TWA noise levels, as well as maximum and peak...

5 Hi-viz radio muffs.(PRODUCT UPDATE: hearing protection)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 257 Bilsom[R] Radio Hi-Visibility earmuffs feature a 3.5mm AUX input jack, allowing the earmuff to connect to MP3 players and other portable audio devices. Bright green earcups and reflective headband...

6 Radio earmuff.(PRODUCT UPDATE: hearing protection)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 254 Jackson's Silencio[R] REACT with Active Listening and AM/FM Stereo Radio earmuff features an auxiliary input port for a walkman, MP3, CD player or two-way radio. The electronic muff includes 4-hour...

7 Noise dosimeters.(PRODUCT UPDATE: hearing protection)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 251 Quest's NoisePro[R] Dosimeters series offers a complete range of personal noise dosimeters with user programmable settings and levels of data gathering capabilities. The NoisePro series not only...

8 Electronic hearing protection.(PRODUCT UPDATE: hearing protection)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 250 Dimension Plus series from RidgeLine is a sophisticated electronic hearing protection and amplification system featuring Dynamic Level Sound Compression (DLSC[TM]) technology. DLSC protects user from...

Ergonomic keyboards.(product NEWS)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 265 AliMed[R] has added several Jasper ergonomic keyboard products that are designed to enhance user comfort and efficiency. The Jasper myBOARD[TM] line includes such features as: an integrated mousepad...

Air Bag Blower.(product NEWS)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 266 All-in-one Air Bag Blower System from Allegro offers convenience and flexibility for onsite demands. Rugged unit features 8" or 12" metal blower system with 15' duct built into a heavy-duty polyester...

Protective glove.(product NEWS)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 267 Best's new NightHawk Defender[TM] gloves provide 6-mil thickness for extra strength and extended (11") coverage for added arm protection. Featuring a comfortable patented low-modulus formulation, the...

Laser Safety training.(product NEWS)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 268 Coastal's new Laser Safety: The Blink Of An Eye training program covers safe use of lasers in the workplace. Based on the latest ANSI Z136.1 standard, the program discusses industrial uses for lasers,...

Wireless gas detection.(product NEWS)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 270 Designed to monitor carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide in parking structures, Honeywell's new 301W is a wireless gas detector offering installation and operational flexibility and reliability. The...

Emergency equipment.(product NEWS)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 269 Haws has introduced its emergency equipment "Shortline" catalog, which provides emergency shower and eyewash specifiers assistance in choosing the correct type of products for their needs. Featuring...

Transport safety.(product NEWS)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 271 J. J. Keller's new Transport Safety Pro Advisor Online Community provides up-to-date regulatory and non-regulatory information that impacts transportation workers and everyday operations. Subscribers...

Multi-gas area monitor.(product news)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 272 The new BM25 Multiguard from Industrial Scientific is a transportable multi-gas area monitor capable of monitoring from one to five gases through diffusion or sample draw. Ideal for area surveillance,...

Electronic bath tissue dispenser.(product NEWS)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 273 Kimberly-Clark's new JRT* Electronic Coreless bath tissue dispenser automatically dispenses a pre-measured amount of toilet paper when users place their hands under the dispenser. Said to be the first...

Safety glasses.(product NEWS)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 274 MCR Safety's "Law" dielectric protective glasses feature an integrated lens and frame design for an excellent orbital seal and a high level of side impact protection. The fashionable, wrap-around...

Safety knives.(product NEWS)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 276 OLFA offers two new safety knife models featuring self-retracting blades for optimum protection. The OLFA[R] Compact Self-Retracting Safety Knife (SK-7) and Automatic Self-Retracting Safety Knife...

Latex/synthetic glove.(product NEWS)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 275 The Polymed[R] exam glove from Sempermed features a "fusion" of latex and synthetic polymers to create a multi-layer glove that protects against cracking and peeling. Combining the elasticity of latex...

Fire safety software.(product NEWS)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 277 Ideal for streamlining fire inspections, investigations and department IT processes, SmartDraw is an easy-to-use diagramming software that includes thousands of images and templates to quickly create...

Stylish eyewear.(product NEWS)
August 1, 2007... Circle 278 Uvex[R] Ignite[TM] premium safety eyewear features a lightweight, frameless design that offers users 180 degrees of unobstructed, distortion-free vision. Ignite eyewear incorporates a boldly styled temple design, an adjustable...

Suspension trauma relief.(product NEWS)
August 1, 2007... Circle 279 The U-STEP from FrenchCreek helps alleviate suspension trauma in the event of a fall. Two compact, lightweight "packs" are attached to the sides of a full-body harness. If a fall occurs, the worker can immediately pull the...

PPE major player Bacou-Dalloz announced June 20 it is changing its name to Sperian Protection.(BUSINESSES)
August 1, 2007... PPE major player Bacou-Dalloz announced June 20 it is changing its name to Sperian Protection. At press time, the name change was subject to shareholders' approval at a meeting on July 26. As a symbol of the company's strategy of international...

Illbruck acoustic inc. has changed its name to pinta acoustic inc.(BUSINESSES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... illbruck acoustic inc. has changed its name to pinta acoustic inc. The company's products, management, vision and direction remain unchanged. illbruck acoustic--now pinta acoustic--is a subsidiary of the former illbruck elements GmbH, which has...

The Brick Industry Association.(AWARDS)
August 1, 2007... The Brick Industry Association recently named this year's BIA award winners in Employee Health and Safety. Winners were: * Acme Brick for its "Be Alert--Safety First Day," an annual event held at all Acme Brick locations, affording...

ASTM International.(MOVES)(Katharine Morgan, Teresa Cendrowska and Jeff Grove promoted)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... ASTM International, one of the world's largest standards developing organizations, has announced the promotions of three senior level staff members. The new appointments went into effect on July 16. Katharine Morgan, who was general manager,...

A new white paper from MSA, "The Evolution of Gas Detectors," is available at www.msagasdetection.com.(REFERENCES)
August 1, 2007... A new white paper from MSA, "The Evolution of Gas Detectors," is available at www.msagasdetection.com. The publication, bulletin #0816-73, provides a convenient overview of hazardous gas detection history, highlighting the development of...

Events.(Calendar)
August 1, 2007... august Certificate in Safety Management Seminars and Certificate Preparation Workshops, Aug. 5-11, Pittsburgh, PA; Aug. 19-25, Des Plaines, IL, American Society of Safety Engineers, (847) 699-2929, www.asse.org 23rd Annual National...

Looking back: American Society of Safety Engineers' Professional Development Conference & Expo 2007.
August 1, 2007... More than 3,600 people from 44 countries trekked to Orlando, Fla., for the June 24-27 meeting. ASSE's annual gathering continues to grow. Exhibitor space sold for the '07 Orlando professional development conference reached 57,950 square feet,...