Industrial Safety & Hygiene News articles from March 2005

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News archives from March 2005

Heart of darkness: entering your work site's: respect the risks of confined spaces.
March 1, 2005... We've all heard stories of tragic incidents that have resulted in the deaths or permanent impairment of employees who were working in confined spaces. A majority of these tragedies could have been prevented with proper training and the use of...

Mum's the word: fear still trumps open safety talk.(editorial comments)
March 1, 2005... Maintain a climate of truth-telling. Who doesn't want this as part of their safety and health culture? Especially after reading Jim Collins' "Good to Great," which upwards of two million people have done. Head-on confrontation with harsh...

OSHA inspectors show signs of beryllium health problems.(rules & Regs)(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
March 1, 2005... OSHA, long criticized for downplaying the dangers of beryllium, has discovered that several of its employees have been affected by exposure to the deadly metal, reports the Chicago Tribune. The Tribune has learned that ongoing medical...

OSHA's FY2006 budget balances enforcement & compliance assistance.(rules & Regs)(Occupational Safety and Health)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... President Bush's proposed $467 million budget for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in Fiscal Year 2006 represents an increase of $2.8 million over last year's appropriation. The budget request, announced last month by...

Expo expansion features safety partnership.(rules & Regs)
March 1, 2005... OSHA has entered into a safe workplace partnership with key conbactors, labor associations and others involved in the huge expansion planned for McCormick Place over the next three years, the agency announced in late January. OSHA's area...

Now hear this: OSHA unveils hearing conservation eTool.(rules & Regs)
March 1, 2005... A new Web page from OSHA www.osha.gov) is designed to help prevent occupational hearing loss. The Noise and Hearing Conservation eTool is a joint product of OSHA's alliance with the National Hearing Conservation Association. The new eTool...

Utility company fined following fatality.(rules & Regs)
March 1, 2005... OSHA has fined a utility company $66,500 for violations of workplace safety standards following an investigation into a workplace accident in which one worker died and another received serious injuries. Mt. Carmel Public Utility Company,...

Tougher seat-belt laws save lives.(rules & Regs)
March 1, 2005... When states strengthen seat-belt-use laws from secondary enforcement to primary, driver death rates decline by an estimated seven percent, according to a new study released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Safety-belt-use...

Ergo claims & costs keep climbing.(news scan)
March 1, 2005... More than 28 million Americans use computers each day, and many risk coming down with carpal tunnel syndrome, according to OSHA. Carpal tunnel is the number one disability reported by insurance companies today. Repetitive musculoskeletal...

Steel industry sees rise in incidents.(news scan)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... After a decade-long decline in injuries and deaths in the North American steel industry, there was a sharp rise in 2004, according to a recent report in The Wall Street Journal. Steelmakers and union officials are concerned about how this...

Report: meatpacking industry is "unnecessarily hazardous".(news scan)
March 1, 2005... A new report from the Human Rights Watch alleges "systematic human rights violations" at U.S. meat and poultry plants, according to United Press International. The scathing 175-page report, "Blood, Sweat, and Fear: Workers' Rights in U.S....

Sign of the times? UCLA Labor Center faces elimination.(Budgets)(University of california at Los Angeles)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The UCLA Labor Center faces a $3.8 million budget cut this year that would all but eliminate it, according to The gaily Bruin. The center's director is "guardedly optimistic" that the center will be able to stave off proposed cuts for the...

Time is (more important than) money.(news Scan)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Here's a survey with provocative suggestions about the state of your workforce's mind: Nearly 40 percent of 4,600 full-time workers surveyed said they would choose more time off work than a $5,000 annual pay hike. That was an almost...

Employers' use of drug screening on the decline.(news scan)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The need for qualified workers along with intense cost-cutting pressures are two key reasons why employers are increasingly scrapping drug screening as a condition of employment, according to a report in the Indianapolis Star. Drug testing...

World-class safety: what does it take? Five strategies to get you from good to great.(Psychology of safety)
March 1, 2005... Recently, the CEO of a leading chemical company told me he dislikes the term "world-class safety," because its meaning is so ambiguous. "Everyone talks about wanting a world-class safety program, but nobody provides a straightforward definition...

The fear factor: deal with it: sometimes you must take off the gloves.(Managing Best practices)
March 1, 2005... Most EHS pros take a dim view of using fear to sell safety, according to ISHN's January 2005 E-zine: "Can you be scared safe?" But using fear to sell safety is part of E-HS work. Many EHS regs--DOT HazMat vulnerability assessments and EPA...

Ready, set, enter: 4 pre-planning "musts" for confined space safety.
March 1, 2005... From NIOSH's case files: A 21-year-old worker entered the confined space of a wastewater holding tank while attempting to clean and repair a drain line. The tank was four feet in diameter and eight feet deep. Sulfuric acid was used to unclog a...

Get your FR clothing program plugged in: how to start and maintain a program.(flame-resistant)
March 1, 2005... Your company has decided that its employees need to be in flame-resistant clothing (FRC), but how do you achieve and manage this task while keeping costs under control and workers happy? What FR garments do your employees need--coveralls or...

Don't underestimate undergarments: a worker's base layer of clothing may be his most critical.
March 1, 2005... Over the past 15 years, a shift has occurred in the outdoor apparel industry. Rather than relying on a single garment to provide adequate protection from the elements, most manufacturers now advocate a layered approach that can be adapted to...

Protection against liquid metals: which fabrics are best?
March 1, 2005... Which garments provide the best protection against molten metal?" This question is frequently posed by safety managers, purchasing officers and union officials. Because there are so many products available, purchasers often take the...

Protective clothing.(Product Update)
March 1, 2005... 1 FR FABRIC CIRCLE 260 INDURA[R] Ultra Soft[R] from Westex is an ideal option when evaluating fabrics for an FR clothing program to comply with NFPA 70E. Flame resistance is guaranteed for the life of the garment without sacrificing the...

When in doubt, wash it out: take no chances when it comes to eye injuries.
March 1, 2005... Among the many risks workers encounter in the workplace, the loss of eyesight is one that is too great to take lightly, and employers are obligated to make every effort possible to prevent eye injuries. This includes adhering to applicable...

Eye protection.(Product Update)
March 1, 2005... 1 CUSTOM FIT EYEWEAR CIRCLE 255 Uvex's new FitLogic[TM] safety eyewear offers a custom fit for virtually any face. Wearers can adjust their eyewear at four different points to match their own profile. FitLogic incorporates an innovative...

What's new in eyewashes?(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... A relatively new group of eyewash products have been developed for applications where space is a factor and appearance is important. Eyewash units are recessed into the wall to avoid clutter in walkways and hallways. Typically these eyewashes...

Office ergonomics: can split keyboards solve your ergo woes?
March 1, 2005... Split keyboards are those keyboards that do just that--the keys of the standard keyboard are divided into two, or split, and typically they are located on separate adjustable panels. Very often, employers purchase these keyboards for their...

AEDs.(Questions & Answers)
March 1, 2005... Q Who should be authorized to use AEDs in the workplace, and what is the minimum amount of training they will need? A The innovative idea behind Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) is that they are simple enough for anyone to use....

Will it protect me? validating protective clothing performance.
March 1, 2005... In the universe of personal protective equipment, respiratory protection is the only type of PPE certified by a U.S. government agency. The National Personal Protective Technologies Laboratory (NPPTL), part of the Centers for Disease Control...

Confined space ventilation.(product news)
March 1, 2005... Circle 268 Air Systems' new Conductive Saddle Vent System provides unrestricted entry and egress during confined space entry ventilation. Static electricity can be controlled and removed safely during hazardous location ventilation. The...

Ladder Walk-Through.(product news)
March 1, 2005... Circle 269 American Innovations' Ladder Walk-Through Railing System allows users to walk through the top of a ladder, not around it, thereby improving the safety of entering and exiting a rooftop. The aluminum device easily attaches over...

Protective undergarments.(product news)
March 1, 2005... Circle 270 Made from CarbonX[R], Chicago Protective Apparel undergarments provide protection from heat and flame, making them ideal for steel workers, welders and firefighters. The undergarments are made of a single layer of 7.7-oz....

Safety posters.(product news)
March 1, 2005... Circle 271 Clare Instruments offers a series of distinctive new workplace posters free of charge. The informative wall charts feature a range of electrical safety testing issues, highlighting best practice and recommended test procedures....

Coated gloves.(product news)
March 1, 2005... Circle 272 Contego offers a brand new line of Smith & Wesson coated gloves. The line includes the SW2120 glove, which features a premium lightweight nylon shell with foam nitrile coating to provide great tactile sensitivity for working...

Interactive training.(product news)
March 1, 2005... Circle 273 The new streamlined edition of STOP[TM] (Safety Training Observation Program) for Supervision training program from DuPont helps companies build a strong safety culture at the workplace. Featuring enhanced interactivity, the...

Decon Shower.(product news)
March 1, 2005... Circle 275 The FSI DAT[TM]4099S 5-line Mass Casualty Decon Shower System decons five and/or up to ten non-ambulatory, five and/or up to ten ambulatory personnel or any combination. The unit is approximately 15'W x 23' L x 9' H, weighing...

Musical muffs.(product news)
March 1, 2005... Circle 274 QuieTunes 660 muffs from Elvex provide AM/FM reception so that workers can enjoy listening to music or talk radio while wearing hearing protection. The electronics in the contemporary looking product are separated from the...

De-icing Control System.(product news)
March 1, 2005... Circle 276 Spectrum Infrared's new De-icing Control System (DICS) automatically determines whether snow, freezing rain or other icing conditions are present and activates de-icing for the time these conditions exist, plus up to ten...

Hazmat storage.(product news)
March 1, 2005... Circle 277 The FIREloc[TM] series of buildings offer safe, secure storage for hazardous materials. Available in a range of sizes with a variety of electrical options, these units have a built-in sump with a floor that exceeds 1,000 psf....

Safety Equipment Institute (SEI).(Organizations)(elections)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) has elected its Officers and Directors for 2005. Officers are: Steven T. Edwards, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer; Kevin S. Berg, Vice Chairman of the Board; and Patricia A. Gleason,...

Best Manufacturing and SHOWA Company.(Businesses)(supplier agreement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Best Manufacturing and SHOWA Company have signed an exclusive agreement placing Best as the sole-source provider of SHOWA's Hi-Tech line of hand protection in North America. Under the terms of the agreement, SHOWA's line of anti-static and...

Pelican Products.(Businesses)(appointments)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Pelican Products, a leading manufacturer of high-impact, watertight cases and safety-approved flashlights, has appointed Bill Prunty as a regional sales manager in the Commercial Sales Division. He will be responsible for the management of all...

Zellweger Analytics.(Businesses)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Zellweger Analytics has announced that the Lumidor MiniMAX4 all-in-one portable multigas detector is available to order in Canada following its recent approval for intrinsic safety and performance to the applicable Canadian Safety Association...

Events.(Calendar)
March 1, 2005... april ASSE Safety Workshops--Certification Preparation Workshops, Certificate in Safety Management Seminars, Apr. 10-16, Dallas, TX, ASSE, (847) 699-2929, www.asse.org ESS Expo.05 Business Conference and Workshop for Essential Suite...

What behavior really gets rewarded? Reinforcement schemes often get it backwards.(Petersen's page)
March 1, 2005... In safety, we typically hope for safe behavior and reward unsafe behavior. Our formal and informal organizational systems peer pressure, how we measure worker safety performance (usually we don't), and how we reward safe behaviors I as compared...