Industrial Safety & Hygiene News articles from January 2007

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News archives from January 2007

Are we irrelevant or what? Answering loaded questions about the future.(EDITORIAL comments)
January 1, 2007... Sometime last year I received this email: "I am an EH&S consultant and have been asked to address a group of human resource professionals on safety management. I am interested in learning more about the changing face of safety management...

Newspaper report: nuke plant hid injuries to win safety bonuses.(news SCAN)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Managers at California's largest nuclear plant won safety bonuses for years by hiding employees' on-the-job injuries and dodging state reporting rules, the Los Angeles Times reported in late November. In...

Top health & safety issues.(AIHA names)(American Industrial Hygiene Association)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) has announced the results of its biannual membership survey that projects the top public policy issues of concern to AIHA members and the occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS)...

Wet concrete collapses on work crew, injuring 17.(news SCAN)
January 1, 2007... A slab of wet concrete collapsed December 8 on the 24th floor of an Arlington, Va., office tower under construction, injuring 17 people, including three critically, according to the Associated Press. The three critically injured included...

More study needed on benefits and risks of nanotechnology.(news SCAN)
January 1, 2007... U.S. consumers have relatively neutral feelings about nanotechnology, but believe it is less risky and more beneficial than several other technologies --including pesticides, chemical disinfectants and human genetic engineering, according to a...

Chaplains helping employers handle troubled employees.(REPORT)
January 1, 2007... Got an employee with a drug problem? Or perhaps a worker having family troubles? These are problems that can impact workplace safety, and, increasingly, corporations across the country are bringing chaplains in to help deal with troubled...

OSHA: asbestos warning stays.(rules & REGS)
January 1, 2007... OSHA's warning to mechanics that exposure to asbestos in brakes can cause deadly disease will not be removed from the OSHA Web site, agency officials said. The safety bulletin was posted on the site in July, but was called scientifically...

OSHA's Foulke appoints executive management team.(rules & REGS)
January 1, 2007... OSHA administrator Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. made several key executive appointments at the agency in late November, naming two deputy assistant secretaries and a new chief of staff. The new deputy assistant secretaries are C. Bryan Little and...

OSHA fines contractor $2.3 million for worker deaths.(rules & REGS)
January 1, 2007... OSHA has cited Thomas Industrial Coatings Inc. of Pevely, Mo., for 33 willful--including "instance-by-instance" willful--and eight serious alleged violations of job safety and health standards. Proposed penalties total $2,362,500. ...

New York lawmakers criminalizing violations.(rules & REGS)
January 1, 2007... In New York, the City Council passed two measures in November to crack down on contractors who violate stop-work orders and who tear down homes without demolition permits. The legislation criminalizes both infractions--any violator can now be...

Appeals court backs injured worker.(rules & REGS)
January 1, 2007... A Wisconsin worker shocked with electricity while working on a highway billboard in 1998 can sue the sign's owner for negligence, a state appeals court ruled in November, overturning a judge's decision to dismiss the lawsuit, the Associated...

Changes proposed to Massachusetts child labor laws.(rules & REGS)
January 1, 2007... A historic revamping of child labor laws in Massachusetts is under review that will help keep teens safe on the job, according to TheBostonChannel.com. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "We're basically bringing the child labor laws into the...

Let's get real in our relationships: authenticity: a vision for the New Year.(PSYCHOLOGY of safety)(Column)
January 1, 2007... My last ISHN contribution (December 2006) discussed leadership principles activated by the word LEAD. I advocated using this acronym to provoke group discussion: L for Live, Listen, Learn, Love, and Leave a Legacy E for Empathy,...

Biomonitoring reaches the tipping point: explosive growth is on the horizon.(MANAGING BEST practices)
January 1, 2007... The first article I wrote for ISHN, back in 1991, was about biomonitoring --detecting chemicals within the body. It was predicted that a tipping point would someday occur when biomonitoring became more important than traditional sampling for...

ISHN's 23rd annual White Paper survey results: forecasting the 2007 EHS climate: favorable winds for stable careers.
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Here's the forecast for the environmental health and safety field heading into 2007: Professionals will find mostly favorable winds at their back for career security and stability, according to the 23rd annual White...

Clearing the air: acccurate IAQ measurement is necessary for a safe indoor environment.
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While researchers estimate that the average person spends 90 percent of his or her life indoors, government has been slow to establish specific standards governing levels of indoor air pollutants. With a few...

Keys to integrating flame-resistant fabrics into your uniform program.
January 1, 2007... Manufacturing employees work hard, and so must the uniforms they wear. For a uniform to be of value it must be both comfortable and durable. In many cases that uniform must also offer a significantly higher level of protection from workplace...

Learning to lead: five steps to pain-free, productive meetings.
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Do you think safety meetings are painful, time wasting, poorly run and unproductive torture sessions? If you hate meetings--any type meetings--you're not alone. Practically everyone does, and although businesses have...

If the lights go out ... how you can guide workers to safety in the dark.
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Safety for office workers who occupy the commercial high-rises of New York City is a key issue that led the NYC Council to amend existing building code laws. The New York City Council working in conjunction with...

Fostering participation in behavior-based safety trust is needed throughout your organization.(training STRATEGIES)
January 1, 2007... "Same ole, same ole!" "Same old stuff!" .. These are common reactions we receive when we begin our introduction of behavior-based safety at a facility. Employees have seen program after program come and go. There is a tendency for "whiteboard"...

Material handling system.(product NEWS)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 270 The AeroGo Aero-Pallet is an ergonomically friendly way to move and position heavy loads (up to 14 tons). A cost-effective alternative to forklifts, cranes or conveyors, Aero-Pallet provides nearly...

Photoluminescent Exit Signs.(product NEWS)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 271 PERMALIGHT[R] Photoluminescent Exit Signs are non-electrical and non-radioactive. Charged by 5-foot candles (54 Lux) of ambient fluorescent lighting, the signs release their NFPA 101-/IBC-Code...

Mercury vapor analyzer.(product NEWS)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 272 Arizona Instrument's new Jerome 471 ultra low-level mercury vapor analyzer detects, measures and reports levels of mercury vapor for environmental and industrial spill and clean-up level assessment....

Bottled eyewash.(product NEWS)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 273 The new Opti-aid[R] bottled eyewash station from Bradley repels dust to help prevent further contamination to the eyes. Featuring a highly visible safety-yellow holder, the personal bottled eyewash...

Fire safety training.(product NEWS)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 274 Designed for fire safety training, the HotShot[TM] from BullEx employs digital flame technology and Bullex's SmartExtinguishers[TM] to allow users to dynamically interact with digital fire. The...

AED.(product NEWS)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 275 The Powerheart AED G3 incorporates more instructive voice prompts, a redesigned form factor, and a four-year, full replacement battery. Featuring one-button operation, the unit automatically tests the...

Anti-fatigue footwear.(product NEWS)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 277 ErgoMates strapping is now made of durable polyurethane, making ErgoMates impervious to chemicals and easier to clean and maintain. Featuring a sleeker look, the anti-fatigue matting is strapped onto...

FR fabrics.(product NEWS)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 276 DuPont[TM] Protera[TM] is a new line of inherent flame-resistant fabrics specifically designed to protect against electric arc hazards and meet NFPA 70E Category 2 requirements. Featuring a patented...

Ergonomic lifting.(product NEWS)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 278 Handi-Straps allows workers to increase lifting capacity while decreasing the threat of injury. From shoveling to picking up objects, to dragging or pulling objects, Handi-Straps will adapt to...

Slip resistance.(product NEWS)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 279 New ALTRAGRIPS[TM] All-Traction[TM] Footwear from Jordan David reduce slips and falls in a variety of slick conditions, from outdoors in ice and snow to indoor industrial conditions. The slip-resistant...

Gas detection.(product NEWS)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 280 Mil-Ram's RS485/4-20mA smarter 3- and 4-wire transmitter--Tox-Array 2100 uses the company's no-false-alarms, chemically selective, toxic, LEL and O2 patented sensors for gas detection....

Absorbent glove inserts.(product NEWS)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 281 Designed specifically to absorb sweat from inside of industrial gloves, Absorbent Disposable Glove Inserts are worn under latex, rubber, plastic, thermo-insulating or any other type of work gloves....

Manhole retrieval.(product NEWS)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 282 The new LifeGuard manhole retrieval system from Pelsue is a combination manhole guard and retrieval system that serves as an alternative to standard tripod systems. Man-rated for retrieval at 350...

Fluorescent lamps.(product NEWS)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 283 New Shat-R-GLOW[R] lamps from Shat-R-Shield are covered in the company's flexible shatterproof coating with an additive that offers a source of light in the event of a power outage. The portable...

Are you getting through? How to get people to listen.
January 1, 2007... Remember the popular TV commercials by brokerage firm E.F. Hutton? In one of the commercials, a girl is reciting the alphabet in grade school. "A, B, C, D, E, F," (pause) "E, F," (pause), and then emphatically, "E.F. Hutton," at which point all...

Kappler.(BUSINESSES)
January 1, 2007... Kappler has re-entered the industrial protective apparel market after a five-year hiatus. In 2001, the company formed an alliance with a fabric producer to become an OEM apparel contractor, and Kappler-brand apparel was not available to...

Shat-R-Shield, a leading manufacturer of plastic-coated safety lamps, and Philips Lighting Company, a division of Philips Electronic North America Corp., an affiliate of Philips Electronics, have entered into a supply agreement.(BUSINESSES)
January 1, 2007... Shat-R-Shield, a leading manufacturer of plastic-coated safety lamps, and Philips Lighting Company, a division of Philips Electronic North America Corp., an affiliate of Philips Electronics, have entered into a supply agreement. Shat-R-Shield...

Haws Corp.(BUSINESSES)
January 1, 2007... Haws Corp., a leading supplier of emergency eyewash and shower equipment, as well as drinking fountains, recently celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Events.(industry BRIEFS)(Calendar)
January 1, 2007... february 17th Annual Construction Safety Conference, Feb. 13-15, Rosemont, IL, Construction Safety Council, (800) 552-7744, www.buildsafe.org 32nd Annual National Hearing Conservation Association Conference, Feb. 15-17, Savannah, GA,...

Ansell.(MOVES)
January 1, 2007... Ansell has appointed Don West as brand support manager for the company's ergonomic line of products, which includes the HyFlex brand. West will be based out of Ansell's headquarters in Red Bank, N.J.

HexArmor[R].(MOVES)
January 1, 2007... HexArmor[R], a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based developer and manufacturer of cut- and puncture-resistant safety products, has hired Graham Ayers to manage its Europe expansion. Ayers, a 30-year industrial safety industry veteran, will be based in the...

Saf-T-Gard International Inc.(MOVES)
January 1, 2007... Saf-T-Gard International Inc., a global supplier of industrial safety products and personal protective equipment, has appointed Timothy F. Olson as senior safety specialist. Olson has spent 20 years in the industrial safety and PPE industry,...

Ivan Weinstock.(In passing)(Obituary)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Ivan Weinstock, a friend of safety and health professionals for more than 40 years through his dedicated involvement in several safety and health publications, conferences and associations, passed on last month in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Weinstock...

Conference breathes life into respiratory protection.(industry BRIEFS)(International Society for Respiratory Protection )(Conference news)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Conference breathes life into respiratory protection. Record crowds attended the 13th Conference of the International Society for Respiratory Protection (ISRP) in Toronto last fall. ISRP conferences are held...

ANSI recently honored Patricia Gleason, president and chief operating officer of the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI), with its Meritorious Service Award as part of its 2006 Leadership and Service Awards.(AWARDS)
January 1, 2007... ANSI recently honored Patricia Gleason, president and chief operating officer of the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI), with its Meritorious Service Award as part of its 2006 Leadership and Service Awards. Gleason was honored for her...

The following Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) directors have been elected as officers on the 2007 Board of Directors and began their terms Jan. 1: Jeffrey L. Robinson, CSP, P.E., as president, and Paul S. Adams, Ph.D., CSP, P.E., CPE, as vice president. Glenn D. Daviet, CSP, CPCU, ARM, ALCM, continues his two-year term as secretary-treasurer.(ORGANIZATIONS)
January 1, 2007... The following Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) directors have been elected as officers on the 2007 Board of Directors and began their terms Jan. 1: Jeffrey L. Robinson, CSP, P.E., as president, and Paul S. Adams, Ph.D., CSP, P.E.,...

The Council on Certification of Health, Environmental and Safety Technologists (CCHEST) Board of Directors elected the following officers for 2007: Linda Sennett, J.D., as president, and Kevin Moorhead, CHST, as vice president. Rick P. Callor, CSP, STS, continues his two-year term as secretary-treasurer.(ORGANIZATIONS)
January 1, 2007... The Council on Certification of Health, Environmental and Safety Technologists (CCHEST) Board of Directors elected the following officers for 2007: Linda Sennett, J.D., as president, and Kevin Moorhead, CHST, as vice president. Rick P. Callor,...

Don't be fooled by a safety committee: it's no substitute for widespread participation.(petersen's page)
January 1, 2007... Safety committees exist in many workplaces, and the quality of their contributions can vary greatly. In some companies, they fulfill a role of communication, quasi-participation, or perhaps real employee participation--for the few workers on...

1 Three-year monitor.(PRODUCT UPDATE: portable gas detection)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 250 The Toxi3Ltd disposable single-gas monitor from Biosystems offers an operating life of three full years, is economically priced and can detect CO or H2S. Featuring one-button automatic calibration, the...

2 SF6 leak detectors.(PRODUCT UPDATE: portable gas detection)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 255 Ion Science offers a range of portable and transportable SF6 leak detectors for use in the high-voltage switchgear, industrial and ventilation markets utilizing proprietary NIC (negative ion capture)...

3 Durable gas detector.(PRODUCT UPDATE: portable gas detection)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 252 Available for flammable, oxygen and toxic gases, Crowcon's Gasman single-gas detector features high impact resistance and ingress protection to IP67. Weighing just 3.7-4.6 oz. (105-130 g) depending on...

4 Multi-gas detection.(PRODUCT UPDATE: portable gas detection)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 256 The MSA ORIONplus detector combines the features of the ORION[R] multi-gas detector with a range of infrared (IR) and toxic sensor options. MSA's IR sensor delivers stable readings in environments...

5 Multi-gas monitors.(PRODUCT UPDATE: portable gas detection)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 259 Ideal for use in confined spaces and other industrial work areas, the Innova Series multi-gas monitors protect workers from hazardous gases. Innova can be configured to monitor up to four gases in...

6 "Smart" sensor technology.(PRODUCT UPDATE: portable gas detection)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 254 Monitoring from one to six gases, Industrial Scientific's iTX Multi-Gas Monitor features advanced "smart" sensor technology, able to recognize and configure a wide assortment of field-replaceable,...

7 Portable gas detector.(PRODUCT UPDATE: portable gas detection)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 253 Honeywell Analytics offers a real-time display version of the Lumidor MiniMAX XT portable gas detector. A simple single-press self-test button allows user to view the gas concentration throughout...

8 Gas detector calibration.(PRODUCT UPDATE: portable gas detection)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 251 BW Technologies' GasAlertMicroClip multi-gas H2S, CO, O2, LEL) detector is now available in a module that is compatible with BW's expandable MicroDock II automatic test and calibration station....

9 Sample draw gas monitor.(PRODUCT UPDATE: portable gas detection)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 257 The GX-2003 Personal Sample Draw 5-in-1 Gas Monitor from RKI offers three operating modes: normal, bar hole and leak check. Featuring autocalibration or single calibration, the intrinsically safe unit...

10 Single-gas monitor.(PRODUCT UPDATE: portable gas detection)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 258 The Mini-SA single-gas personal monitor from Scott provides portable, continuous gas detection a compact, lightweight design that can conveniently clip to a user's belt or lapel. Featuring large LCD...

Respiratory protection: know your breathing system options to get the most effective solution.
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Safety equipment selection is often a matter of choosing from a variety of options that result in a balanced, effective solution. When it comes to selecting breathing support systems, there can be no compromise. The...

Fall protection: take your safety training to new heights.
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Training is to learning as Boardwalk is to Monopoly. It isn't the game, but it is an important piece; everybody wants to own it, and it is hard to win without it. Often recognized as the missing link in fall...

1 Full-body harness.(PRODUCT UPDATE: fall protection)
January 1, 2007... CIRCLE 266 The Apache Harness from SafeWaze is a full-body harness made to support larger workers. The fall protection harness is designed to be used in conjunction with 400-lb. Shock Absorbing Lanyard. The safety harness features a 4-in....

2 Double-leg SRL.(PRODUCT UPDATE: fall protection)
January 1, 2007... CIRCLE 260 DBI-SALA's new 100% Tie-Off Talon[TM] self-retracting lifeline provides continuous fall protection while enabling workers to move about during work activities. The double-leg SRL features two independent lines, allowing one line...

3 Arc-flash FP.(PRODUCT UPDATE: fall protection)
January 1, 2007... CIRCLE 267 MSA's crossover and vest-type ArcSafe Full-Body Harnesses and Shock-Absorbing Lanyards are third-party-certified (by SEI) as meeting ASTM F887-04 requirements for arc-flash protection. They also meet applicable OSHA and ANSI...

4 Skylight/roof opening guard.(PRODUCT UPDATE: fall protection)
January 1, 2007... CIRCLE 262 New CageGuard from Garlock is a freestanding system for guarding skylights and temporary roof openings. No drilling is required for installation, leaving the roof membrane or skylight undamaged. The patent-pending design is easy...

5 Self-retracting lifeline.(PRODUCT UPDATE: fall protection)
January 1, 2007... CIRCLE 265 Lightweight and serviceable, North's Duralite III self-retracting lifeline features an impact-resistant nylon housing that weighs only 1.1 kg (2.4 lbs.). Ideal for use with a telescopic pole or first-man-up systems, the Type 1...

6 Product tracking system.(PRODUCT UPDATE: fall protection)
January 1, 2007... CIRCLE 261 FrenchCreek's TRACKER series of fall protection products includes harnesses, lanyards and other safety equipment. Designed to improve inspections and recordkeeping, the TRACKER RFID chip is manufactured into the equipment and...

7 FP training.(PRODUCT UPDATE: fall protection)
January 1, 2007... CIRCLE 264 Miller/Troll fall protection training provides professional, hands-on training programs for those working at heights. Taught by field-experienced instructors, courses include live demonstrations; address site-specific variables...

8 Heavy-duty harness.(PRODUCT UPDATE: fall protection)
January 1, 2007... CIRCLE 268 The HA-120P-SD-SS harness from Web Devices is designed for use in heavy chemical or salty environments, utilizing stainless steel hardware for durability. The shoulder D-rings are ideal for working in confined spaces, easing the...

9 Fall protection guides.(PRODUCT UPDATE: fall protection)
January 1, 2007... CIRCLE 263 Lighthouse Safety, which specializes in fall protection, rescue and confined space safety, is offering its new 2007 "Do's and Don'ts" pocket guide, tips booklet and three-ring binder. The safety guidance products include a wide...

Protecting the eyes: with so many safety eyewear styles, which one is right for your task?
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Every day an estimated 1,000 eye injuries occur in American workplaces. Workers not wearing eye protection and wearing the wrong kind of eye protection are the primary causes of such injuries. The Bureau of Labor...