Industrial Safety & Hygiene News articles from March 2007

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News archives from March 2007

Who's got your back? Caring for coworkers safeguards confined spaces.
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It was Friday at 3:30 p.m. when I got the call. "We are wrapping up the job! Wanna meet me at the confined space entrance so we can do the wrap-up walk-around?" "Sure thing," I replied. "See ya in ten minutes."...

All along the career path: plans and philosophies can change with age and experience.(EDITORIAL comments)(Editorial)
March 1, 2007... I have a small, framed photo in my office of an old boy with a gray beard slouched in a folding chair in his yard. He wears jeans, boots, red suspenders, a denim shirt, all topped by a wide-rim white cowboy hat. A black dog lies at his feet and...

Napping on the job could be beneficial.(news SCAN)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] According to new research on napping, a little midday snooze seems to reduce risks for fatal heart problems, especially among men. In the largest study to date on the health effects of napping, researchers tracked...

Government, drug makers prepare for bird-flu pandemic.(news SCAN)
March 1, 2007... When various academics, public health officials and drug industry leaders met last month at a conference to discuss seasonal- and bird-flu preparation, many urged the federal government to commit billions of dollars more toward its bird-flu...

Shipbuilding industry improves safety record.(news SCAN)
March 1, 2007... Shipbuilding, which for years has ranked as one of the most dangerous industrial jobs, is getting safer. While still dangerous--typical tasks include cutting and bending steel, welding thousands of parts, hooking up electrical systems, crawling...

AHA promotes walking programs in the workplace.(news SCAN)
March 1, 2007... A new program from the American Heart Association (AHA) promotes walking and other healthy habits in the workplace. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AHA's Start! program encourages employers and employees to promote physical fitness, focusing on...

Report details safety shortcomings at BP refineries.(UPDATE)
March 1, 2007... A report released in January on BP's five U.S. refineries detailed what appeared to be a company-wide disregard for safety. Although some plants were better than others, a process safety consultant found what it called serious lapses at all of...

Survey: employers can play large role in workers' health.(NEWS SCAN)
March 1, 2007... Americans who wish to lose weight or kick the tobacco habit may consider turning to an unexpected but useful resource to help achieve their goal--their employer. According to the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Inc....

Ontario reduces noise exposure limit.(NEWS SCAN)
March 1, 2007... Canada's most populous province has reduced its noise exposure limits and introduced a time-weighted average exposure limit, announced Ontario's Minister of Labour, Steve Peters. "Noise-induced hearing loss is a serious and preventable...

White House requests increased budget for OSHA.(rules & REGS)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Bush administration's $2.9 trillion fiscal 2008 budget, delivered to Congress on Feb. 5, contains $52.3 billion for the Labor Department. The recommendation for OSHA is $490 million, up from an estimated $472...

Final rule issued on electrical installation standard.(rules & REGS)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] OSHA published a final rule in the Feb. 14 Federal Register for an updated electrical installation standard, the first changes to the electrical installation requirements in 25 years. The revised standard,...

Bush directive: no more guidance without political supervision.(rules & REGS)
March 1, 2007... President Bush signed a directive in late January that gives the White House much greater control over the rules and policy statements that the government develops to protect public health, safety, the environment, civil rights and privacy. ...

EPA fines Puerto Rico company for pesticide violations.(rules & REGS)(Environmental Protection Agency)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... EPA has assessed the second highest penalty for violating the worker protection provisions of U.S. pesticide laws to an agricultural company based in Puerto Rico. The company, Martex Farms, has been ordered to pay a penalty of $92,620. ...

OSHA teams with roadway & pipeline construction groups.(rules & REGS)
March 1, 2007... OSHA added to its portfolio of alliances in late January as the agency formed new pacts with two industry groups. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] More than one million employees who are exposed to roadway hazards will benefit from a new...

Too much of a good thing: self-confidence gone awry creates risks.(PSYCHOLOGY of safety)
March 1, 2007... "Believe and achieve," bellows a candidate on the popular TV game show "Deal or No Deal." "We believe," scream the zealous fans at the college basketball game. "Self-confidence is key to personal success," asserts the instructor of a...

Too much transparency? Online information forces better risk communication.(MANAGING BEST practices)
March 1, 2007... Does it make you nervous when a stranger knows more about you or your business than you think they should? In today's information age there are very few secrets. It's best to anticipate what questions you might have to respond to, coming from...

Slips, trips & falls: accidents just waiting ... to be prevented.(Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A study conducted in 2005 by Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety found most business executives ranked workplace accidents involving slips, trips and falls as seventh on a list of the most common jobsite injuries....

Uniforms: comfort and protection adds up to worker safety.
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Times change, but the basic purpose of employee uniforms has remained the same over the centuries. Whether worn by Caesar's Roman legions or by 21st century workers, employee uniforms are worn to provide their...

Foot 101: protection: how to make safe footwear choices for your work site.
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An estimated 120,000 men and women suffer job-related foot injuries every year. (1) Whether the work happens in manufacturing plants and steel yards or on construction sites and farms, the need for protective...

1 Comfortable eye protection.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 257 DeWalt's DPG55 DC[TM] premium safety glasses from Radians utilize a tough polycarbonate lens and dual-injected rubber to enhance protection and comfort. The dual-mold material on the frame adds...

2 Frameless eyewear.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 251 The Nemesis VL from Jackson Products is a frameless, ultra-lightweight protective eyewear ideal for extended wear. Slip-stop temples prevent glasses from sliding; no-brow design increases upward and...

3 Stylish safety glasses.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 254 Orbit[TM] Safety Glasses from Elvex provide stylish eye protection, featuring a wrap-around design with straight, rubber-tipped temples. The fashionable eyewear is available in four lens versions,...

4 Protective eyewear.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 255 Part of AOSafety's OCC Eyewear line, the 100 Series includes the OC Chopper 101 with silver lightweight aluminum frame and blue mirror lens. The stylish protective eyewear incorporates spring-hinge...

5 High-quality eyewear.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 256 MCR Safety's Professional Grade eyewear includes two new styles--Tribal and Tribal V. Both versions of this high-quality eyewear feature non-slip gel temple sleeves for a comfortable fit, a sleek dual...

6 Wrap-around eyewear.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 250 Uvex Protege[TM] comes with two lens coverage options--standard 6-base or extended 7-base (XC) for extra protection. Featuring a stylish frame, Protege's proprietary Floating Lens[TM] design provides...

7 Prescription insert.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 252 North Safety Products' N-Vision[TM] T5655 Series is a stylish safety spectacle that can be worn with a prescription lens insert (part # 65RX), making protective eyewear available for all workers...

8 Bifocal readers.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 253 Sellstrom's Sebring 600 MAG[TM] Bifocal Safety Eyewear features an anti-scratch polycarbonate lens for outstanding impact strength and optical clarity. Offering a clear lens with 1.50, 2.00 and 2.50...

9 Sporty eyewear.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 258 Willson's A800 Series is affordably priced, offers sporty styling and features two new mirror lens tints--amber and blue. Hard-coated, 9-base polycarbonate lens provides 180-degree field of...

PPE compliance: training begins with clear, thorough communication.(training STRATEGIES)
March 1, 2007... Wearing and using personal protective equipment (PPE)--properly--is more than just a good idea; it's an OSHA requirement. Yet, 85 percent of safety professionals surveyed at the 2006 National Safety Council (NSC) Congress said they had observed...

Gas monitoring: provide workers proper equipment--it's the right thing to do.
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Every day, around the world, some of the bravest souls on earth go below the surface, trusting the equipment they are outfitted with to get their work done and come out alive. Coal mining is unquestionably one of the...

Polishing a "Star": VPP site gets proactive with information management.(CASE STUDY)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hunter Douglas is a company known for shedding light on matters, quite literally. The well-known manufacturer of window treatments and coverings, including shades, sheers, louvers, blinds and shutters, makes a claim...

1 Shielding lotion.(PRODUCT UPDATE: skin creams lotion)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 266 Skin MD Natural[TM] shielding lotion bonds with and protects the skin, utilizing natural ingredients for dry skin treatment. The lotion is promptly absorbed, leaving no oily residue and transforming...

2 Hand & body lotion.(PRODUCT UPDATE: skin creams lotion)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 261 Kimcare[R] Moisturizing Hand & Body Lotion from Kimberly-Clark is an advanced moisturizer that contains vitamin E and provitamin B5, and features an herbal fragrance. The ALL-N-1 unit is a replaceable...

3 Moisturizing skin cream.(PRODUCT UPDATE: skin creams lotion)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 262 Kutol 3+1 Moisturizing Skin Cream, available from Kimball Midwest, is ideal for hands that are exposed to the elements, chemical contact or extreme abuse due to harsh working conditions. Kutol 3+1...

4 Antiseptic hand wash.(PRODUCT UPDATE: skin creams lotion)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 265 RelyOn[TM] Antiseptic Hand Wash products from DuPont reduce germs that cause illness and disease, reduce risk of infection and cross-contamination, and offer a large spectrum of efficacy claims....

5 Insect repellent & sunscreen.(PRODUCT UPDATE: skin creams lotion)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 263 ITW Dymon's SUN SKEETER[TM] Insect Repellent plus Sunscreen Wipes combine a 20% DEET repellent and a SPF25 sunscreen to provide all-in-one bug and sun protection. The innovative wipes offer a safe,...

6 Foam hand cleaner.(PRODUCT UPDATE: skin creams lotion)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 264 GOJO[R] Green Certified Foam Hand Cleaner is a biodegradable handwashing formula in a foam-style format. The mild foam soap formula is certified by Green Seal[R] and EcoLogoM to meet their joint...

7 Poison Ivy scrub.(PRODUCT UPDATE: skin creams lotion)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 259 Tecnu Extreme[R] Medicated Poison Ivy Scrub from Tec Labs removes urushiol oil and treats the symptoms of poison ivy or oak rash in one step. The homeopathic formula relieves itching and soothes...

8 UV sun protection.(PRODUCT UPDATE: skin creams lotion)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 260 Stockhausen's STOKO[R] UV sun protection products feature SPF30 sunscreen. Highly sweat- and water-resistant, STOKO[R] UV is tested per FDA requirements after 80 minutes of water activity. Available...

Be prepared for cardiac emergency: proper training in AED use can save lives.
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We've all seen the TV shows set in hospitals where the patient's heart monitor is beeping along and all of a sudden it quits and the nurse hollers out "Emergency, the patient has flat lined!" The doctor rushes in,...

EHS management: let new Internet and computer-based tools improve your efficiency.
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Recent surveys of environmental, health and safety professionals confirm that while budgets and headcount are generally stable, responsibilities are growing. Most EHS managers report increased work hours and job...

New design features increase glove ergo advantages.(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] More than 26 percent of all non-fatal accidents in this country involve the hands and arms, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Simply placing gloves on workers does not fully...

Turn your committees into teams: you need focus, synergy, emotion and coaching.
March 1, 2007... Moving from committee-based involvement to team-based success is a challenge that many organizations like yours are facing. Real teams have a common vision, a well-defined mission, they work through processes, they have the resources to...

Recent EHS developments in Europe: directives on vibration, noise, EMFs, and artificial optical radiation.(Global Watch)
March 1, 2007... Despite the ocean between us and the economic growth of Asia, Europe is the USA's largest trading partner. Although it represents the "old country" or "old countries" to many Americans, it is undergoing constant change as a geopolitical area....

Five-gas detector.(product NEWS)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 267 The GasAlertMicro 5 from BW Technologies is a rugged, water-resistant instrument capable of simultaneously monitoring up to five gases, including combustible gases, H2S, CO, O2 and other toxic gases...

Hazmat storage.(product NEWS)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 269 Haz-Stor[R] Outdoor Storage Lockers from Justrite provide durable outdoor storage for bulk amounts of hazardous materials. FM-approved and fully compliant to NFPA standards and EPA requirements, the...

Anti-vibration gloves.(product NEWS)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 268 Coated Air Gloves[TM] from Impacto feature patented Bubble Glove[TM] technology, which reduces the vibration energy transmitted into hands. Available in chemical-resistant nitrile and liquid-resistant...

Chemical protection.(product NEWS)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 270 Zytron[R] from Kappler is a comprehensive family of fabrics that offers an easy-to-use numbering system and distinctly colored garments to provide a simple apparel matrix for identifying chemical...

Coated glove.(product NEWS)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 271 North Safety's Red Viper[TM] ultra-lightweight general purpose glove features a 15-gauge seamless nylon shell with a foamed PVC palm coating for an exceptional combination of abrasion resistance and...

Polyurethane rain suit.(product NEWS)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 272 OccuNomix's new polyurethane rain suit is Class III and ANSI 107-2004 compliant and includes "hi-viz" jacket and pants with navy blue and 3M[TM] silver reflective tape trim. The lightweight waterproof...

In passing.(industry BRIEFS)(Robert Max Thomas of Edmont Manufacturing Co.)(Obituary)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Robert Max Thomas, 83, died Jan. 14 at his home on Sea Island, Ga. A long-time employee of Edmont Manufacturing Co., including 37 years as senior vice president, Mr. Thomas served as president of the Work Glove Manufacturers Association (WGMA)...

Events.(industry BRIEFS)(Brief article)(Calendar)
March 1, 2007... march Comprehensive Industrial Hygiene, March 26-30, Ann Arbor, MI, American Industrial Hygiene Association, (703) 846-0751, www.aiha.org, sseigman@aiha.org Measuring Performance for Safety Success, March 29-30, Costa Mesa, CA,...

Bacou-Dalloz plans to revitalize its hand protection business unit and focus on growth and profitability in the North American market.(BUSINESSES)
March 1, 2007... Bacou-Dalloz plans to revitalize its hand protection business unit and focus on growth and profitability in the North American market. Steve Spotts was recently named vice president and general manager of Perfect Fit Glove, which has...

The Timberland Co. and Block Corp., a workwear developer, have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement, whereby Timberland PRO[R] will expand its presence in the workwear apparel sector in the United States and Canada.(BUSINESSES)
March 1, 2007... The Timberland Co. and Block Corp., a workwear developer, have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement, whereby Timberland PRO[R] will expand its presence in the workwear apparel sector in the United States and Canada. Under the...

Survivair[R] Respirators Inc., Bacou-Dalloz.(BUSINESSES)
March 1, 2007... Survivair[R] Respirators Inc., Bacou-Dalloz has updated its OSHA MedCert online medical evaluation program. Site improvements include easier user interface, enhanced performance, and medical questions that comply with current OSHA standards....

Industrial Scientific Corp.(MOVES)
March 1, 2007... Industrial Scientific Corp. recently made organizational changes to support growth: Kevin L. Miller was hired as director of sales, Americas; Martin Lutzen was promoted to manager, sales and marketing for Industrial Scientific Asia Pacific...

FSI North America.(MOVES)
March 1, 2007... FSI North America, a leading producer of hazmat decon showers, isolation shelters, and EMS, fire and life safety products, has promoted Joe Villegas to vice president and Ted Dupaski to customer service director.

Nextteq LLC.(MOVES)
March 1, 2007... Nextteq LLC has appointed Jeffrey S. Duffy, Ph.D., DABT, CIH, to vice president, sales and technical business development, and Al Pinner to sales director, military and law enforcement. Nextteq also named Julie Salinas as industrial hygiene...

The measure of a man: colleagues reflect on Dan Petersen's influence & legacy.(petersen's page)
March 1, 2007... Times being what they are, with environmental health and safety professional fields fragmented, work more fast-paced, with less time for reading and strategizing, I don't know if one individual such as Dan Petersen will ever command the...