Industrial Safety & Hygiene News articles from February 2008

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News archives from February 2008

Keep the noise down: are your workers at risk from too much hearing protection?
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), it has long been thought that one must render employees nearly deaf through the use of earplugs or earmuffs. Pick the highest Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) available,...

Out of sight, out of mind: but plenty of excuses for ignoring China's safety woes.(EDITORIAL comments)(occupational safety and health)(Editorial)
February 1, 2008... Here's a common-sense question: Why are we outraged by products made in China that could pose safety and health risks to adults, children, cats and dogs, but not about the millions of workers in China exposed to even more hazardous risks...

Data: employers key to workers keeping healthy resolutions.(news SCAN)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If, like many Americans, you've resolved to lose weight or quit smoking in 2008, your employer may be an unexpected but useful resource to help you stay on track. According to data compiled by the American...

CDC: injury death rates rise after two-decade decline.(news SCAN)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Injury death rates nationally rose 5.5 percent after a twodecade period of decline, according to a study released in December by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The largest increases were seen...

Poultry workers at increased risk from antibiotic-resistant E. coli, study says.(news SCAN)
February 1, 2008... U.S. poultry workers are 32 times more likely than those outside the poultry industry to carry E. coli bacteria resistant to the commonly used antibiotic gentamicin, according to a study conducted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public...

Women making strides in EHS field, forum presenters say.(news SCAN)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Most of the presenters at the recent "Women in Safety" forum indicated that they have not faced many genderbased struggles in the safety and health profession, according to a press release from the American Society...

Study: workplace flexibility leads to healthier lifestyles.(news SCAN)
February 1, 2008... A recent Wake Forest University study reports that workers with job flexibility were more likely to describe themselves as living a healthful lifestyle than those with more regimented routines. A sampling of 3,200 workers at a major...

China closes over 10,000 coal mines in past three years.(news SCAN)
February 1, 2008... China closed 10,412 coal mines in the last three years amid efforts to improve workplace safety and to check extravagant use of natural resources, the country's top industrial safety inspector said recently. According to a Xinhua news...

Balfour Beatty Construction LLC, United Kingdom, and C.F. Jordan LP, El Paso, Texas.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)
February 1, 2008... Balfour Beatty Construction LLC, United Kingdom, and C.F. Jordan LP, El Paso, Texas Proposed penalties: $324,000 (issued 12/31/07) Two construction contractors were charged with 12 safety violations for asbestos exposure at a military...

Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Corp.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)
February 1, 2008... Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Corp., Steubenville, Ohio Proposed penalties: $210,000 (issued 12/13/07) A follow-up to a February 2006 OSHA inspection led to citations for 12 repeat and seven serious violations. Repeat citations included...

Midlands Contracting Inc.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Midlands Contracting Inc., Kearney, Neb. Proposed penalties: $140,000 (issued 12/17/07) OSHA initiated an inspection after a collapsed excavation wall buried and killed an employee at a sewage lift station installation site. OSHA cited...

Miranda Construction Co. Inc.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)
February 1, 2008... Miranda Construction Co. Inc., Fall River, Mass. Proposed penalties: $109,000 (issued 12/19/07) Contractor with a history of fall protection violations was cited for seven alleged willful, repeat and serious violations of fall hazards...

Granite Archer Western, HNTB Corp., URS Corp. and D.T. Reed Steel Co.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)
February 1, 2008... Granite Archer Western, HNTB Corp., URS Corp. and D.T. Reed Steel Co. Proposed penalties: $95,725 (issued 12/12/07) OSHA has fined four contractors working on the construction of the St. Louis Bridge. An investigation was launched...

Modern Dispersions South Inc.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Modern Dispersions South Inc., Fitzgerald, Ga. Proposed penalties: $71,750 (issued 1/2/08) A fire that broke out while employees attempted to unclog a machine of carbon black powder and polyethylene pellets left four employees...

Henry's Hickory House.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)
February 1, 2008... Henry's Hickory House, Jacksonville, Fla. Proposed penalties: $59,950 (issued 12/19/07) Meat processor received four repeat citations for failing to conduct proper lockout/tagout procedures on production equipment and for failing to...

OSHA to receive $486 million in FY2008 funding.(rules & REGS)
February 1, 2008... The federal budget for FY2008, which began October 1, 2007, was enacted in midDecember, and it includes about $1 million less for OSHA than the agency received in FY2007. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For FY2007, OSHA received a total of $487...

Eight workplace standards listed in OSHA's reg agenda.(rules & REGS)
February 1, 2008... OSHA's semiannual regulatory agenda, published in the Dec. 10 Federal Register, includes eight workplace standards. The Fall 2007 agenda includes only significant items due to a change of printing mandated by the Office of Management and Budget...

OSHA addresses respirator fit-testing protocol.(rules & REGS)
February 1, 2008... OSHA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Dec. 26 Federal Register for a new fit-testing protocol--the Abbreviated Bitrex Qualitative Fit-Testing (ABQLFT) protocol--under Appendix A of OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard....

Canadian employers now required to address ergo hazards.(rules & REGS)
February 1, 2008... Final federal regulatory amendments in Canada now require ergonomic-related hazards to be addressed in designing hazard protection programs in the workplace, according to an American Industrial Hygiene Association report. Canadian employers...

OSHA exceeds inspections goal for '07, says it's committed to enforcement.(rules & REGS)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Recently released annual enforcement statistics from OSHA confirm that its enforcement programs are producing positive results for the benefit of American workers, the agency reports. In FY2007, OSHA conducted...

In reversal, Stickler to remain as MSHA chief.(rules & REGS)(Mine Safety and Health Administration)(Richard E. Stickler)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Following a Department of Labor announcement that Richard E. Stickler's tenure as administrator of the Mine Safety and Health Administration had ended Dec. 31, the White House stepped in to ensure that Stickler remains at the helm, at least...

In defense of silence ... how we justify a lack of moral courage.(PSYCHOLOGY of safety)
February 1, 2008... "We are not rational beings, but rather rationalizing beings." Danny Axsom, Ph.D. On a rainy Tuesday morning in Atlanta, I climbed in the back of a hotel van destined for the headquarters of Cox Enterprises. I was looking forward to...

How to implement best practices: frame your proposal, then follow these 5 steps.(MANAGING BEST practices)
February 1, 2008... A best practice is often not what everyone else is doing, but is what is possible to achieve (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best_practice). Convincing someone of what is possible to achieve requires persuasive techniques that rely more on...

How to be one of the "good guys": cultivating positive community relations.(POSITIVE SAFETY cultures)
February 1, 2008... How are your company's field facilities perceived by the native locals on the other side of the fence line? Is this an important question for your company? If so, what are you doing to build an appropriately positive image, and to...

IGA 2008 Glove Symposium & Expo: "everything you ever wanted to know about gloves".(convention companion)
February 1, 2008... The International Glove Association invites you to attend the IGA 2008 Glove Symposium & Expo--an "all-gloves" conference, located at an exceptional Florida resort. The 2nd annual IGA Glove Symposium & Expo will be held at the exclusive...

ISEA 2008 Annual Meeting: safety equipment manufacturers gather in Florida.(convention companion)
February 1, 2008... ISEA's 2008 Annual Meeting, celebrating the International Safety Equipment Association's 75th anniversary, will be held at the Amelia Island Plantation, on Amelia Island, Fla., April 27-29. Personal protective equipment (PPE) industry leaders...

American Industrial Hygiene Conference & Expo (AIHce 2008): a premier conference and exposition for OEHS pros.(convention companion)(Office of environmental health and safety)(Conference news)
February 1, 2008... Industrial hygienists and environmental health and safety (EHS) professionals from around the globe will meet at the Minneapolis Convention Center May 31-June 5 to take part in the 2008 American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHce)....

Safety 2008: ASSE's Professional Development Conference & Expo rolls into Vegas.(convention companion)(American Society of Safety Engineers)
February 1, 2008... Featuring more than 200 educational sessions, key speakers, safety issue roundtables, an executive summit and a whole lot more, the American Society of Safety Engineers' (ASSE) Professional Development Conference (PDC) and Exposition, Safety...

2008 Safety Leadership Forum: SEDA brings safety industry leaders to Music City.(convention companion)(Safety Equipment Distributors Association)
February 1, 2008... The Safety Equipment Distributors Association (SEDA) will convene the 2008 Safety Leadership Forum (SLF) at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville, Tenn., from June 22-24. The 2008 Planning Committee has designed a dynamic program for the...

National VPPPA Conference: 24th annual event addresses current EHS issues.(convention companion)
February 1, 2008... The National Voluntary Protection Program Participants' Association (VPPPA) Conference is a leading forum for more than 3,100 occupational environmental, health and safety professionals, hourly workers and managers. Now in its 24th year, the...

Occupational Safety + Health (OS+H) Asia 2008: health and safety experts convene in Singapore.(convention companion)
February 1, 2008... OS+H Asia 2008, the 6th Occupational Safety & Health Exhibition for Asia, will take place September 17-19 in Singapore at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre. The three-day exhibition is expected to attract an...

National Safety Council: NSC's 96th Congress & Expo heads west to Anaheim.(convention companion)
February 1, 2008... The 96th National Safety Council Congress & Expo is headed to Southern California this year, slated for September 19-26 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. Conducted annually since 1912, the NSC Congress & Expo is ranked among...

1 Communication system.(PRODUCT UPDATE: first response)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 253 "Talk Through Your Ears" hearing protection and communication system from CavCom provides a safe solution for two-way radio communication. The system is adaptable to any portable radio, allowing users...

2 Decon showers/shelters.(PRODUCT UPDATE: first response)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 251 FSI offers a large range of portable, mobile and fixed decontamination emergency shower systems, shelters, isolation shelters, medical surge capacity/field hospital systems, and accessories. Products...

3 Fire extinguisher training.(PRODUCT UPDATE: first response)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 252 BullEx's new I.T.S. Xtreme[TM] live fire extinguisher training simulator is ideal for use by fire departments, emergency responders, companies and other organizations for comprehensive and realistic...

4 Portable signal light.(PRODUCT UPDATE: first response)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 255 Marpac's FoxFire is a battery-operated (4 AA) portable signal light designed as a cost-effective alternative to chemical flares at accident and incident scenes for first responders. The light features...

5 Protective extrication gloves.(PRODUCT UPDATE: first response)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 257 Global Glove's SG9900 ViseGripster[R] extrication gloves feature abrasion-resistant Armortex[R] thumb, palm and fingertip zones over a Clarion[R] shell for extreme toughness. Other features include...

6 First-aid / CPR / AED training.(PRODUCT UPDATE: first response)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 250 The Heartsaver First Aid Online with CPR & AED Renewal Course offers organizations a complete, flexible solution for first-time or renewal first-aid training and renewal CPR and AED training. Employees...

7 Emergency oxygen.(PRODUCT UPDATE: first response)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 256 The LIFE[R] 02 SoftPac[TM] emergency oxygen unit weighs just six pounds for ease of portability, features a comfortable handle and shoulder strap, and comes with a wall-mount hook for easy access. The...

8 Emergency monitoring system.(PRODUCT UPDATE: first response)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 254 Grace-Watch from Grace Industries is a wireless security and emergency signal monitoring system that provides all personnel with high-performance emergency distress alarms. The system, which also...

1 6-point suspension.(PRODUCT UPDATE: head protection)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 263 Six-point suspension slotted hard hats from Sellstrom offer lightweight, comfortable head protection. The rim of the impact-absorbing hard hat performs as a rain gutter, channeling rain away from neck...

2 Full brim hard hat.(PRODUCT UPDATE: head protection)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 262 Fibre-Metal SUPEREIGHT[R] E1 Full Brim hard hats from North offer increased protection against rain, falling debris and the sun's harmful UV rays. Smooth crown design deflects falling objects while the...

3 U.S.-made helmet.(PRODUCT UPDATE: head protection)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 259 Made in America, ERB Safety's 4-point Liberty[TM] Mega-Ratchet[R] safety helmet provides economical yet durable head protection. Four-point injection-molded, polyethylene suspension adjusts from head...

4 Heat-resistant hard hat.(PRODUCT UPDATE: head protection)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 258 AOSafety's new XLR8[R] High-Heat Hard Hat and cap-mount headgear provides head protection in high-heat environments. Protective thermoplastic shell reinforces this heat-resistant hard hat, designed...

5 Ventilated safety helmet.(PRODUCT UPDATE: head protection)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 264 The Serpent[TM] ventilated safety helmet from Gateway Safety helps keep workers cool while protecting them in harsh work environments. Featuring the CoolSense[TM] Air Flow System, Serpent helmets have...

6 College logo caps.(PRODUCT UPDATE: head protection)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 261 Officially licensed College V-Gard[R] Caps from MSA meet or exceed all applicable requirements for ANSI Z89.1-2003 for a Type 1 helmet. The colorful line of safety caps come with comfortable...

7 Welding helmet.(PRODUCT UPDATE: head protection)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 260 The Nitro Auto Darkening Welding Helmet from Jackson Safety offers infinitely variable shade 9-13, features a sensitivity and delay adjustment, and weighs just one pound fully assembled. Nitro utilizes...

Develop a habit of hand safety: strategies for building safe behaviors.(PPE)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Machine guarding and safety gloves are common ways to approach hand safety hazards. One obstacle that facilities face is how to find ways to make employees understand what types of safety gloves are required when,...

Take a break from WMDs: have an ergonomics plan in place to avoid costly injuries.(HEALTH watch)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Computers are an integral part of today's work environment. Long hours spent in front of the computer can take their toll on employees. Depending on the length of computer exposure and other factors, reports of...

6 steps to ensure emergency equipment is used when needed.(facility safety)
February 1, 2008... Installation and testing of emergency drenching equipment according to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requirements can offer workers peace of mind while on the job. Yet, installing the right emergency solutions according to...

Effective sign design: 4 communication stages of successful safety signage.(facility safety)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When Frank is preparing for work, he may be thinking about safety--donning his PPE, setting up his workplace correctly, and so on. But in the middle of the job, when his focus is on getting the job done, BAM--the...

Heavy lifting: promote safe material handling practices in your workplace.(facility safety)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The safe handling of heavy materials is a critical component of workplace safety. A lot of strained backs and torn muscles can be avoided by proactively promoting safe material handling practices by workers in their...

What you need to know about the new work zone safety & mobility rule.(facility safety)(Federal Highway Administration issues rule for traffic safety)
February 1, 2008... A new rule called the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule (23 CFR 630, Subpart J) took effect last October, and if you do any work on federally-funded roads projects, you're going to need to know about it. Check that--If you do any road work you...

Emergency first-aid: be prepared: have supplies, personnel and facilities at the ready.(HEALTH watch)
February 1, 2008... In the factory, someone was cut. A trained responder ran to the first-aid supply cabinet. He opened it to find... nothing! Fortunately, in this case, the cut was not life-threatening, and there was another relatively nearby source of supplies....

PPE compliance: survey says users want comfort, solutions to problems.(PPE)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When it comes to PPE, the OSHA standard (29 CFR 1910) is unequivocal: "OSHA requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce employee exposure to hazards when engineering and administrative controls...

The search for successful incentives: learn to recognize the value of the intangible reward.(CULTURE)
February 1, 2008... The subject of safety incentive programs has been a debatable--and even divisive--issue among safety pros. There are opinions supporting and opposing the use of safety incentives and many stories of both success and failure. Even OSHA has...

Safety knife.(product NEWS)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 265 The Fish Safety Knife from Safety Knife Co. features a unique patented valley, which guides the material to be cut directly along the surgical steel blade. As the valley deepens, pressure is increased...

Cut-protection gloves.(product NEWS)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 268 Whizard[R] LN Series gloves from Wells Lamont combine high-performance fibers and stainless steel filament to create excellent tensile strength and cut protection. Durable fibers provide strength and...

Geese deterrent.(product NEWS)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 266 Bird-X's 3D Coyote is designed to scare away destructive Canadian geese from buildings. The realistic, life-sized three-dimensional replica Coyote is 37-in. head to tail, 8-in. wide and 16-in. tall....

Utility knife.(product NEWS)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 267 The Lewis K710 Locking Safety Knife is a fixed-blade safety utility knife featuring a patented locking safety hood that covers the blade instantly and automatically when contact is lost with the...

Events.(product NEWS)(industrial fire safety conference)(Brief article)(Calendar)
February 1, 2008... february / march 3rd Annual Industrial Fire, Safety And Security Conference & Expo, Feb. 5-8, Houston, TX, TradeFair Group, (832) 242-1969, www.ifssevent.com Certificate Preparation Workshops, Feb. 17-23, Tampa, FL; Mar. 9-12,...