Industrial Safety & Hygiene News articles from March 2006

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News archives from March 2006

PPE training: equip your workers with the knowledge they need.
March 1, 2006... As safety professionals know, personal protective equipment (PPE) is only effective when the employee selects the correct type and size, and wears or uses it properly. Thus the need for proper training. PPE can be broken down into eight...

It's all a blur: techno-stress, "negative spillover" & you.(reports on handheld electronics usage)(Editorial)
March 1, 2006... Perhaps you missed this dispatch from Reuters news service earlier this year: "The round-the-clock availability that cell phones and pagers have brought to people's lives may be taking a toll on family life, a new study suggests." And...

Bush proposes budget increase for OSHA.(rules & REGS)
March 1, 2006... President Bush's budget request of $483.7 million for OSHA in fiscal year 2007 represents an increase of $11.2 million (about 2 percent) over FY 2006 and includes boosts for federal enforcement, compliance assistance and safety and health...

OSHA keeping an eye on BP refinery.(rules & REGS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... As BP continues its efforts to bring its 1,200-acre Texas City refinery back online, the work is being watched closely by OSHA, the Galveston County Daily News reports. Agency inspectors have been conducting unit-by-unit oversight of the work....

Mine safety ramps up: Senate approves tax breaks; miners take "time-out".(rules & REGS)
March 1, 2006... Mine companies that purchase safety equipment and implement training rescue programs will receive tax breaks under a provision approved by the U.S. Senate on Feb. 2. The Mine Safety Tax Relief Act allows mine operators to receive up to a...

Lawmakers block ergo rules.(rules & REGS)
March 1, 2006... In light of major layoffs at Ford Motor Co., Michigan lawmakers last month passed a bill to block the state from adopting new workplace safety rules they say can only add to Michigan's job woes, according to the Detroit News. The...

Bush nominees Foulke, Stickler face senators' questions.(rules & REGS)
March 1, 2006... President Bush's nominee to head OSHA, Edwin G. Foulke Jr., told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Jan. 31 that if confirmed he would work to make the agency more proactive in preventing workplace deaths and...

NSC report: you're safer at work than at home.(news scan)
March 1, 2006... The ardent efforts of workplace safety professionals over the past several decades are continuing to pay dividends, as evidenced by the following revelation from the National Safety Council: Today's workers are safer on the job than they are at...

Is work making you sick?(news scan)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... If you haven't been feeling well lately, it could be job-related stress that's ailing you. Experts say "employees with chronic work stress have more than double the odds" of suffering from metabolic syndrome than do "those without work...

CSB investigating; wastewater plant explosion.(news scan)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB)is conducting a full investigation into the Jan. 11, 2006 explosion at a Daytona Beach, Fla., wastewater treatment plant. Two workers died and a third was severely burned as the men...

Teamwork crucial to success, study finds.(RESEARCH)
March 1, 2006... Research derived from studying different work areas, ranging from hospital operating rooms to Wall Street, suggests that the way people work together is the most important attribute leading to an endeavor's success, The Wall Street Journal...

Gas blast in China mine kills 23.(news scan)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... While mining safety has garnered a great deal of attention this year in the U.S., China continues to have the world's deadliest mining industry. A colliery gas blast last month in North China's Shanxi Province killed 23 miners and sickened 53...

Reinforcement, reward & recognition: critical distinctions and a reality check.
March 1, 2006... Listen to a behavior-based safety (BBS) trainer or consultant and you'll likely hear the term "positive reinforcement." Many BBS trainers claim positive reinforcement is the most effective procedure for improving safety-related behavior. In...

Making sense of the zeros: explaining exposure limits and measurements.
March 1, 2006... It has always been an issue, but not that much of a problem, until now. What I am talking about is the growing number of zeros, after the decimal place, used to describe exposure limits and measurements. For example, how are you going to...

No room for error: 4 misconceptions of fall protection training that could prove disastrous.
March 1, 2006... Most serious fall incidents can be traced back not to the fall protection equipment itself but, rather, to either misuse of the equipment or the use of wrong equipment--usually due to a lack of knowledge. So, just how competent is your...

Get the most out of personal protective equipment.(TRAINING & EDUCATION)
March 1, 2006... Whether you are involved in ongoing operations or "start-up" activities, any training and education effort has to start with a review of your operations and some research of the OSHA standards... in other words, preparation is essential if you...

Control water temperature when flushing eyes and body.
March 1, 2006... OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151 requires the availability of suitable first-aid treatment facilities in the event of a workplace injury. Specifically, the requirement states "suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall...

A well-dressed workforce: wearing uniforms can enhance workplace safety.
March 1, 2006... A "smartly dressed" employee has traditionally been associated with wearing work apparel that attractively displays a company's cohesive brand and image. But in today's industrial work environments, that definition has been broadened to include...

Stayin' alive: keys to a strong AED program.
March 1, 2006... Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) takes a tragic toll on families and communities every year, with nearly 1,000 Americans losing their lives to this sudden killer every day. According to OSHA, 13 percent of workplace deaths are due to SCA. Although...

Don't be hero: What to do when you're first on the scene in an emergency.
March 1, 2006... What makes first responders twitch? True stories like this one: It happened right in front of a hospital. A car hit a utility pole and the pole fell on the car. The guy who saw it happen, a trained first responder, ran into the ER for help....

Confined space entry: use your gas monitor to know what you're getting into.
March 1, 2006... In days of olde when Knights were bold and journeyed from their castles They oft slumbered nights, in caves... they knew not of gas hazard hassles They found themselves asleep so sound, they never woke at dawn For CO gas had worn them...

Eye protection.(PRODUCT UPDATE)
March 1, 2006... 1 PREMIUM EYEWEAR CIRCLE 261 New Rad-Apocalypse premium eyewear from Radians combines style and comfort utilizing a lightweight frame, bayonet-style rubber-tipped temples, and a super-soft nosepiece. Available in various lens colors, the...

Skin creams/lotions.(PRODUCT UPDATE)
March 1, 2006... SKIN CONDITIONER CIRCLE 254 Ideal for workers whose hands easily get dry, cracked and sore, GOJO[R] HAND MEDIC[R] Professional Skin Conditioner is specifically formulated to maintain the skin's natural protective barrier. Improved skin...

Spill control package.(product news)
March 1, 2006... Circle 266 Andax Environmental offers a new modular spill pack featuring chemical-resistant and fire-retardant (CRFR) PPE. The Andax Pac[R] CRFR provides spill control equipment when responding to chemical spills with flash-fire potential...

Compact gas detection.(product news)
March 1, 2006... Circle 267 BW's new GasAlertMicroClip multi-gas detector is tough, ultra-compact, easy to use and economically priced. The rugged unit simultaneously displays H2S, CO, O2, and LEL gas concentrations with simple one-button operation....

ANSI compliant Parka.(product news)
March 1, 2006... Circle 268 Mifflin Valley's new ANSI Plus Parka is ANSI/ISEA 1042004 Class 3 Compliant, featuring a waterproof and water-repellant outer shell along with 2-in. silver 3M Scotchlite reflective trim for visibility in low light. Other...

Multi gas detector.(product news)
March 1, 2006... Circle 269 Easy to operate, use and carry, GIG's G850 is well-suited for both confined space safety and for work in an open area. The portable gas monitor detects up to six gases simultaneously, protecting from hundreds of unknown toxic...

AED.(product news)
March 1, 2006... Circle 270 The HeartStart FRx Defibrillator has FDA clearance and is designed for ruggedness and ease of use. The automated external defibrillator (AED) offers such features as wireless data transfer; an infant/child key, which signals to...

Noise analysis.(product news)
March 1, 2006... Circle 271 The new Quest SoundPro SE/DL Hand Held Sound Level Meter & Real-Time Frequency Analyzer Series and updated QuestSuite Professional II (QSP II) Applications Software combine to simplify the task of reliably performing advanced...

Electronic earmuff.(product news)
March 1, 2006... Circle 272 The new Industrial Ultra Series from RigdeLine features DLSC[TM] technology, which gives instant, 1.7 millisecond hearing protection from damaging noise levels while enabling the user to maintain complete awareness of the work...

PVC glove.(product news)
March 1, 2006... Circle 273 The SC Series double-dipped PVC glove from Wells Lamont has a unique PVC/nitrile blend finish that provides excellent resistance against chemicals, oils and solvents. The special finish also increases the glove's cut and...

Texture floors, footwear & cleaning: keys to reducing slips & falls.(slip-and-fall accidents)
March 1, 2006... Various studies have been conducted in industrial environments to assess situations that most often contribute to slip-and-fall accidents. Among the findings: * Many slip-and-fall accidents happen when workers believe the floor is in...

Control systems for perconal monitoring pumps.
March 1, 2006... When personal monitoring pumps first appeared in the 1950s, they were simple devices, designed for the rugged task of airborne dust monitoring in underground coal mines. By the mid-1970s, designs had become more complex, with flow control...

Taking it to the next level: Joe and Willie learn what fuels positive change.
March 1, 2006... "Willie, I want to introduce you to Chuck Smith. Chuck's going to be helping us with our behavior-based safety process. We've been at it for a long time and it needs a jump-start." Willie had been resisting getting more involved in safety,...

Haws Corp.(MOVES)(appointed people)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Haws Corp. has named Gene Barbera to be the company's new product manager Barbera will be responsible for advancing the entire Haws emergency equipment and drinking fountain offering. In addition, Haws has added Sam Sarver as eastern regional...

RAE Systems, Inc.(MOVES)
March 1, 2006... RAE Systems, Inc. RAE Systems, Inc. has promoted Rudy Mui to chief operating officer (COO) and an executive vice president of the company.

Perfect fit Glove.(MOVES)
March 1, 2006... Perfect Fit Glove, Bacou-Dalloz, has appointed Rob Geiger, a 12-year industry veteran, as product manager for the Dipped/Coated line of products.

International Safety Instruments.(MOVES)
March 1, 2006... International Safety Instruments (ISI), a leading producer of respiratory protection equipment and other safety devices, has appointed Gavin McLachlan as director of sales and marketing.

Pelican[TM].(MOVES)
March 1, 2006... Pelican[TM] Products, Inc., a leading manufacturer of safety flashlights and protective cases, has appointed Mark Rolfes as vice president of sales. Rolfes was previously Pelican's director of sales.

Moldex-Metric, Inc. has received the 2005 Hearing Protection Products Growth Strategy Leadership of the Year Award.(AWARDS)
March 1, 2006... Moldex-Metric, Inc. has received the 2005 Hearing Protection Products Growth Strategy Leadership of the Year Award, presented by consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. Moldex was chosen for its exceptional product innovation, aggressive marketing,...

The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have signed an agreement to partner in research and outreach activities to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses.(ASSOCIATIONS)
March 1, 2006... The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have signed an agreement to partner in research and outreach activities to prevent occupational injuries...

Events.(Calendar)
March 1, 2006... ASSE Continuing Education, Apr. 9, Math Review; Apr. 9-11, Safety Management 1; Apr. 10-12, ASP Workshop, CSP Workshop; Apr. 12-13, Safety Management II, Charlotte, NC; also Apr. 30, Math Review, Des Plaines, IL, American Society of Safety...

Safety's balancing act: mesh government mandates with management strategies.(petersen's page)
March 1, 2006... This is the third in Dr. Petersen's series applying lessons from best-selling books to safety, following Built to Last by James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porras in January, The Vision of the Anointed by Thomas Sowell in February, and now The...