Industrial Safety & Hygiene News articles from July 2002

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News archives from July 2002

Handle with care: even common chemicals may require special gloves.
July 1, 2002... As anyone employed in the chemical industry will attest, hand safety and protection are paramount. The law currently requires that most industrial-strength chemicals be accompanied by material safety data sheets (MSDSs), and that workers...

Leave it alone: honor the site of the worst workplace tragedy. (Editorial Comments).(question of a memorial at Ground Zero; World Trade Center site)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Immediately after September 11, as emails zinged every which way across the country venting fears and frustrations, one of mine to a friend expressed the hope that the Twin Towers in New York would be rebuilt to even greater heights. It was a...

Questions & answers.(teaching driving safety)
July 1, 2002... Mark D. Hansen, driving safety Q: I can't sit next to every driver in our company. How do I ensure safe driving, seat belt use, etc., by our employees? A: We all know that if we could eliminate the driving issues, the rest of our...

EPA releases national toxic pollution data. (Rules & Regs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... Under the Toxics Release Inventory program, more than 23,000 factories, refineries, mines, power plants and chemical manufacturers self-report to EPA emissions of toxic pollution to air, water and land. On- and off-site releases for all TRI...

Uncle Sam sets rules for summer jobs. (Rules & Regs).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Labor Secretary Elaine Chao has unveiled a new program timed to inform teenagers and others about summer jobs. Four million teens age 15-17 work during the summer, with as many as 48 percent of 17-year-olds holding down summer jobs,...

OSHA to recognize safety certification of construction supervisors. (Rules & Regs).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... OSHA and the council on certification of health, Environmental and Safety Technologists (CCHEST) have signed a voluntary agreement to acknowledge the Safety Trained Supervisor in Construction (STS-Construction) certification issued by CCHEST....

Get credit for improving Water Quality. (Rules & Regs).(Environmental Protection Agency's industrial water requirements)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Employers who reduce their stormwater discharges, sanitary sewer overflows and agricultural runoff beyond the level mandated by the most stringent technology requirements will earn tradable pollution credits under a recently proposed EPA rule....

Another ergo face-off: between OSHA and Congress? (Rules & Regs).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... You just can't stop ergonomics talk on Capital Hill. After OSHA announced that it will rely on voluntary guidelines to address ergonomics problems, legislation was again introduced that would force the agency to adopt an ergonomics standard...

Employers: can you back up safety claims? (Rules & Regs).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... California's Supreme Court has held that corporations may be liable under the state's consumer-protection laws for misleading advertising or public statements about their products or operations -- including statements about working conditions...

Hazmat incidents: almost 50 per day. (News Scan).(hazardous materials)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Did you know that every day almost 50 incidents involving hazardous materials occur in the U.S.? Are you ready if one happens in your backyard? In 2000, there were 17,514 hazmat incidents resulting in 13 fatalities, 246 injuries and more...

Check your workplace for these hazards. (News Scan).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... What types of hazards are most likely to cause costly lost-time injuries? These were the main culprits in 2000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics: 1 Floors and walkways -- leading to slips and falls. 2 Worker motions or...

Be alert to latex dangers. (News Scan).(allergies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Latex allergies impact between one percent and six percent of the general public and cause sneezing, wheezing, watery eyes, skin rashes, shock or even death, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Non-healthcare...

Perdue to pay for PPE donning & doffing time. (News Scan).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Under a consent agreement with the Labor Department estimated as worth $10 million, Perdue Farms, Inc. has agreed to change its pay practices and to compensate 25,000 current and former employees for time spent putting on and taking off...

Machinists treated for metalworking fluids exposure. (News Scan).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... One of the largest reported outbreaks of work-related respiratory illness in the machining environment in the United States raises new concerns for the estimated one million workers exposed to metalworking fluids on the job, according to an...

Get your heat stress card -- it could be a lifesaver. (Tips).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... In 2000, 21 workers died and 2,554 others experienced heat-related occupational injuries and illnesses serious enough to miss work, according to OSHA. Now the agency has prepared a quick reference Heat Stress Card offering tips like these: ...

The terrible toll continues. (News Scan).(workplace accidents)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... On average, 17 workers were fatally injured each day during 1999, according to a recent report issued by the AFL-CIO. Eighty-three percent of fatally injured workers died the day of the incident. There were 235 multiple-fatality incidents,...

Health trials: employees should know what they're in for. (News Scan).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Most people who enter clinical trials don't know what questions to ask, and many don't understand the risks of study participation, according to a recent survey. Get the word out to your employees. Findings suggest that volunteers may be...

The myth of the "root cause": safety pros are too cavalier with this common term. (Psychology of Safety).
July 1, 2002... Boot cause" is a popular term among safety professionals, especially when conducting an "accident investigation" (which I prefer calling an "incident analysis"). For many safety pros the primary objective of an incident analysis is to find the...

Speak up for safety your views can make a difference. (Managing Best Practices).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... Speak up for safety" is a not phrase. More than a million hits will come up if you run a search for the phrase on the Internet. But what does it mean and how do we put it into action? Some examples: * This past March the Joint...

Hand protection. (Product Update).(advertisement)
July 1, 2002... 1 FOAM NITRILE COATING CIRCLE 214 Ansell's HyFlex[R] Foam gloves provide resistance to nicks and abrasion and feature a patented foam nitrile coating to help reduce hand fatigue and increase comfort and dexterity. Designed for assembly...

Watching over you: 14 responsibilities of a confined space attendant.
July 1, 2002... The attendant plays a critical role in the safety of a confined space entry. This role involves much more than standing around the opening to the confined space waiting for something to happen. Done correctly, the activities and...

Confined spaces safety. (Product Update).(advertisement)
July 1, 2002... 1 MULTI-G GAS MONITORS CIRCLE 201 GfG Instrumentation's new G 650 series of multi-gas monitors incorporates broad range ToxAlert sensor technology for protection from hundreds of unknown toxic gases. The light- 7 weight U 650 monitors...

Lab safety: proper use of PPE is essential.(personal protective equipment)
July 1, 2002... Complex and sophisticated, laboratories and cleanrooms have unique requirements to protect the integrity of the working environment. Assuring predictable results and guarding against contamination are two top priorities when working in these...

Medical surveillance: stop work-related illnesses before they start.
July 1, 2002... Medical surveillance -- sounds ominous, but it's a critical safety tool used to detect early signs of work-related illness. In general industry, it's used as a backup to an industrial hygiene assessment. This systematic collection and analysis...

Plastic - coated glass: don't get stuck picking up.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Contamination is a concern in any work environment, especially in laboratories and cleanrooms. Two often-overlooked sources of possible contamination are glass containers and light bulbs. In addition to the possibility of glass breaking, there...

Transit cases. (Product News).(advertisement)
July 1, 2002... Ameripack's Air/Water Tight Road Warrior Transit Cases offer custom foam inserts in various gauges for protection of test equipment, tools, laptops and more. Available in 12 sizes, the lockable cases include military-specified recessed latches...

Safe cleaning supplies. (Product News).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... A complete line of hand cleaners and a general-purpose cleaner from Safety-Kleen are used to safely remove substances such as oils, grease and paints. The hand cleaner line includes: waterless, paint removing, and lotion with pumice. In...

Nerve Conduction Monitor. (Product News).(advertisement)
July 1, 2002... The Brevio[R] Nerve Conduction Monitor is used to accurately and automatically test employees on-site for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with great speed and ease of use. Perform reliable cost-effective tests, view results instantly and print reports....

Hazcom signs. (Product News).(advertisement)
July 1, 2002... A full line of hazardous communication notification signs and related products from Accuform Signs are designed to withstand hazardous areas to ensure clear signage. In addition to hazcom signs, training items, posters, tags and computer and...

Gas detectors. (Product News).(advertisement)
July 1, 2002... The Guardian FX-1500 series gas detectors from Foxcroft provide fast response to detection of toxic gas leaks or low oxygen levels. The FX-1502 and FX-1504 monitor two or four different locations simultaneously. Sensors can be placed as far...

Lab workstations. (Product News).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Ergonomic workstations from Production Basics can be configured to work in harmony with testing, research and development laboratories. Corner and/or stand-alone units can be combined to create a continuous work area accommodating one or...

Sound level meter. (Product News).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Bruel & Kjaer's 2260 Observer[TM] sound level meter and sound analyzer performs all the measurements and analyses needed for assessing noise at the workplace. The handheld unit complies with the new sound level meter standard IEC 61672 as well...

MSDS software. (Product News).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Corbus has released TERMS[R] SQL for Windows, a user-friendly MSDS management and compliance reporting software program utilizing client/server architecture. An SQL server system enhances data integrity, improves performance and speeds network...

Particulate monitor. (Product News).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Featuring a weatherproof enclosure, the model ADR-1200S particulate monitoring system from Thermo Andersen operates under a wide range of ambient environmental conditions. The ADR-1200S is designed for continuous unattended monitoring with...

Horizontal Cable Lifeline. (Product News).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The new Xenon Horizontal Cable Lifeline System from Soll Americas provides hands-free fall protection with a shuttle connector that automatically bypasses intermediate supports without disconnecting from the lifeline. The connector slides along...

Sample Pump. (Product News).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The new AirLite[TM] Sample Pump from SKC has a constant flow range of five to 3,000 ml/mm and is powered by alkaline batteries for run times of up to 12 hours. The lightweight (12-oz.) pump includes automatic features that ensure accurate air...

Personal Aerosol Monitor. (Product News).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... TSI Inc.'s new SIDEPAK[TM] AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitor employs a new small, lightweight laser-photometer, making it ideal for personal exposure monitoring or area monitoring in industrial environments. Features include datalogging, USB...

Straughan Technical has changed its name to Nextteq. (Businesses).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Straughan Technical has changed its name to Nextteq. The company, which remains the exclusive master distributor of Gastec tubes and pumps in the United States, says the new name better underscores its commitment to provide the latest and best...

Kimberly-Clark's Safety Division. (Businesses).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Kimberly-Clark's Safety Division has introduced a new Web site, which in addition to providing product information on the company's protective garments and accessories, allows users to identify the right protective garment for their work...

DuPont Protective Apparel. (Businesses).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... DuPont Protective Apparel now offers DuPont SuitSmart, an interactive tool for selecting protective apparel. Found online at www.personalprotection.dupont.com, SuitSmart includes a suit selection guide intended to assist users in choosing...

Zellweger Analytics, a division of Zellweger Luwa, has acquired Lumidor Safety Products. (Businesses).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Zellweger Analytics, a division of Zellweger Luwa, has acquired Lumidor Safety Products (Miramar, Fla.) from Invivo Corp. The move is designed to complement Zellweger's line of gas detection systems and strengthen its U.S. distribution network....

Thomas Choinski, P.E., CSP, has received the distinguished Edgar Monsanto Queeny Safety Professional of the Year (SPY) award from the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). (Awards).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Thomas Choinski, P.E., CSP, has received the distinguished Edgar Monsanto Queeny Safety Professional of the Year (SPY) award from the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). The SPY award is given to the most outstanding safety pro for...

ASSE's Foundation (ASSEF) named the first recipients of its UPS Diversity Scholarship. (Awards).(Mylissa Logan and Carlos Garcia)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... ASSE's Foundation (ASSEF) named the first recipients of its UPS Diversity Scholarship. They are undergraduate students Mylissa Logan, Indiana State University, and Carlos Garcia, Jacksonville State University. Established this year, the ASSEF...

3M's Occupational Health and Environmental Safety Division has awarded its 16th annual hygiene scholarships to four exceptional students in the field. (Awards).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... 3M's Occupational Health and Environmental Safety Division has awarded its 16th annual hygiene scholarships to four exceptional students in the field. Renee Anthony, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Brandon Takacs, West Virginia...

The Safety Equipment Institute (SEI). (Associations).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) has approved a new certification program for high-visibility safety apparel. The program is part of SEI's certification programs for safety and protective products used by workers in general industry, the...

Robotic Industries Association (RIA). (Associations).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Robotic Industries Association (RIA), in association with Design Safety Engineering, Inc., has released a new version, Version 2.0, of the Robot Risk Assessment software package. Available on CD-ROM, the program provides a guide for risk...

The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). (Associations).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) has named Steven Schoolcraft as its examination director. Schoolcraft is responsible for examination product development, maintenance and delivery of BCSP and programs administered by BCSP.

One door closes and another opens: what to do when you've been downsized! (Your Turn).
July 1, 2002... John, due to reorganization, your position has been eliminated." The first thought that entered my mind when I heard this was how much of the cause was my fault. Certainly over a 30-year career I could have made fewer mistakes or done better...