Industrial Safety & Hygiene News articles from March 2008

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News archives from March 2008

Take FR safety to new heights: target the needs of your flame-resistant clothing program.
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Adopting a flame-resistant (FR) protective clothing program can seem like a daunting task because of the abundance of industry safety standards. Three organizations alone--the National Fire Protection Association,...

No country for old whimps or young ones for that matter.(EDITORIAL comments)(Editorial)
March 1, 2008... For nearly three decades I've interviewed safety and health professionals and never have come across a whimp. Maybe whimps shy away from reporters, I don't know... My "American Heritage Dictionary" published in 1981 doesn't have a...

Union wants diacetyl out of cooking oil; lawmakers seek investigation.(news SCAN)
March 1, 2008... North America's largest union for hotel, restaurant and kitchen workers has called on manufacturers of cooking oils to stop using diacetyl, a lung-destroying butter-flavoring additive, and members of Congress have called for a federal...

Stress at work is linked to heart disease.(news SCAN)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New research shows strong evidence of how work stress is linked to the biological mechanisms involved in the onset of heart disease. The research, according to a report by Health Resources Publishing, is the...

Worldwide mobile workforce to reach 1 billion by 2011, study says.(news SCAN)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Pressure on companies to provide work/life balance programs for employees, combined with advances in mobile technologies is increasing the number of mobile workers in the U.S. and around the world, and by year-end 2011 nearly 75 percent of the...

Number of Union members rose in 2007.(news SCAN)
March 1, 2008... The number of workers belonging to a union rose by 311,000 in 2007 to 15.7 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Union members accounted for 12.1 percent of employed wage and salary workers, up slightly from 12.0 percent in...

Survey: more organizations seeking experienced fitness pros.(news SCAN)
March 1, 2008... More educated and experienced fitness professionals are predicted to be the number one fitness trend in 2008, according to a new survey. This will result in exercisers having more options when choosing a trainer to complement their fitness...

Report highlights decades-long cutbacks at OSHA.(rules & REGS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Over the past three decades, while OSHA's budget, staffing levels and inspection activity have dropped, the American workforce has grown and new hazards have emerged. So says a recent article from OMB Watch, a...

AFL-CIO cites "serious concerns" over new, shorter fit-test protocol.(rules & REGS)
March 1, 2008... The AFL-CIO has consulted a respirator expert who has "serious concerns" over OSHA's recent proposed rule that would shorten the fit-test period from one minute to 15 seconds, according to a report by the Society for Human Resource Management...

New National Emphasis Program targets silica hazards.(rules & REGS)
March 1, 2008... OSHA last month announced a new National Emphasis Program (NEP) to target worksites where employees are at risk for developing silicosis, a disabling, irreversible and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by breathing in a large amount of...

OSHA publishes instruction on hex chrome standards.(rules & REGS)
March 1, 2008... OSHA has published an instruction on enforcement procedures for its hexavalent chromium standards that went into effect in 2006. The instruction establishes uniform inspection and compliance procedures for the hexavalent chromium standards...

Report: regulations controlling chemical exposure "inadequate".(rules & REGS)(Report)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Occupational exposure to chemicals led to the deaths of 4,400 Californians in 2004, a new report from the University of California, Berkeley, stated. The workers developed preventable chronic diseases--also diagnosed in 200,000 other...

Metroplex Masonry Inc.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Metroplex Masonry Inc., Kaufman, Texas Proposed penalties: $210,000 (issued 2/4/08) Following an inspection of its North Richland Hills worksite, OSHA cited the company for four serious and seven repeat safety violations. Serious...

Steris Isomedix Services Inc.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Steris Isomedix Services Inc., Waukegan, Ill. Proposed penalties: $117,000 (issued 2/7/08) Medical devices sterilization company received three repeat citations for failing to provide adequate protection, training, monitoring and...

Hartley Construction Co.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)
March 1, 2008... Hartley Construction Co., Gainesville, Ga. Proposed penalties: $54,950 (issued 1/29/08) Following an August 2007 fatality at a church construction site in Ellijay, Ga., contractor was charged with one willful violation for not properly...

Quala Systems Inc.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citations)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Quala Systems Inc., Tampa, Fla. Proposed penalties: $46,800 (issued 2/1/08) Company cited for 20 serious safety violations after an employee died of asphyxia in August 2007 shortly after entering an oxygen-deficient chemical container...

Say it ain't so, Dr. Geller: can my safety program kill self-motivation?(PSYCHOLOGY of safety)
March 1, 2008... "Never let formal education get in the way of your learning."--Mark Twain I've used this Mark Twain quotation to stimulate discussion in my university classes. My students are quick to agree with my proposition that course assignments,...

Brass ring or the old thing? Pandemic flu threat offers you a rare opportunity.(MANAGING BEST practices)
March 1, 2008... For every threat there is an opportunity. Such is the case with a pandemic influenza. The threat is obvious, but do you see the opportunity? Consider the two scenarios below and then choose which opportunity you would rather seize. ...

FR protection: when your safety needs go beyond electric arc hazards.(PPE)
March 1, 2008... Suppose you, like many employers, need flame-resistant (FR) protective uniforms for exposures that are not electric arc hazards. Let's look at a couple of hypothetical safety pros' situations that go beyond electric arc protection; as we do,...

Cool under fire: new FR clothing standards spur improvements & innovation.(PPE)
March 1, 2008... Flame-resistant (FR) protective apparel has changed significantly over the past decade. New and recently revised industry standards have driven the development of new technologies in fabric comfort and durability as well as garment designs that...

Improve PPE compliance: follow this model for putting your plan together.(training STRATEGIES)
March 1, 2008... At my workplace, we've put together a personal protective equipment (PPE) plan that has worked effectively for us over the past ten years. Each year we review it--unless incidents indicate more frequent review--update/revise it, and then...

Where's your AED? Early defibrillation can save precious minutes ... and a coworker's life.(HEALTH watch)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Each year it is estimated that as many as 450,000 Americans suffer from sudden cardiac arrest and that 90-95 percent of people suffering SCA will die. In many of these cases, electrical shocks delivered to the heart...

Advances in defibrillation: improved technology, increased accessibility puts help just a heartbeat away.(HEALTH watch)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For many centuries no explanation was offered for the sudden collapse and instantaneous death of a patient. Even as recently as the early 19th century, it was assumed that sudden death was caused by sudden stoppage...

Coping with confined spaces: atmospheric hazards necessitate continuous personal monitoring.(INSTRUMENTS)
March 1, 2008... For many individuals, the commute to and from work is the most dangerous part of their workday. But people who enter and work in confined spaces face deadly occupational hazards every day. Confined space hazards are often imperceptible, and...

Construction workers: guard your hands with the proper gloves for the task.(PPE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hand injuries resulting from cuts and puncture cost the construction industry a whopping $382 million each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The cost per injured worker averages $17,000, which...

"Signs" of safety: send a clear message with OSHA-compliant and eye-catching signage.(facility safety)
March 1, 2008... Have you ever visited a shopping center, office building or auditorium for the first time and found that the signs were too small, hard to read or obstructed from view? Have you ever thought about what could happen if there was an emergency at...

Shed some light on safety: 6 criteria for evaluating a safety-approved flashlight.(facility safety)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Early last month, volatile dust was blamed for a deadly explosion at a Georgia sugar refinery. At the time of this writing it is not known what ignited the combustible sugar dust. For safety professionals, the fatal...

1 Anti-fog tissues.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 251 FogShield XP[R] pre-moistened lens cleaning tissues from Bausch & Lomb provide anti-fog protection for harsh working environments and extreme temperature conditions. FogShield XP can be used on both...

2 Eyewear with RX insert.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 255 North Safety Products' N-Vision[TM] T5655 Series is a stylish safety spectacle that can be worn with an optional prescription lens insert (part # 65RX), making it ideal for all workers whether they...

3 Shaded safety glasses.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 250 The John Deere line of safety eyewear from AOSafety includes Metal Shaded Safety Glasses, which incorporate a universal-fit nosepiece and rubber temple tips for increased comfort. Anti-fog/...

4 Polarized lens option.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 253 GTX[TM] protective eyewear from Encon is available with polarized lenses for reduced glare. The officially licensed NASCAR[R] eyewear features a soft rubberized nosepiece and temples, wrap-around...

5 Full-coverage glasses.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 252 Elvex Xenon safety glasses are lightweight, comfortable and available in seven different lens versions. Features of the protective eyewear include full-coverage lens, soft rubber nose bridge, colorful...

6 Safety sideshield.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 256 The SAFEMATE[R] B-22+ MHS[R] Multi-Hazard-Shield[R] complements the Safety Optical B-52+[R] and B-26+[R] line of universal sideshields. B-22 MHS[R] utilizes pliable FDA-approved polymers that provide...

7 Frameless design.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 258 Crickets eyewear from SAS Safety is available in a variety of lens colors and lens options, including gold mirror, indoor/outdoor and shade 5. Featuring a lightweight, wrap-around, frameless design,...

8 Anti-fog eyewear.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 254 Kimberly-Clark has expanded its eyewear offerings with KleenGuard V50 Contour Eye Protection with Foam Fog and Particle Shield. With a patent-pending, integrated fog and particle shield and foam...

9 Stylish eyewear.(PRODUCT UPDATE: eye protection)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 257 Uvex[R] Ignite[TM] premium safety eyewear features a lightweight, frameless design that offers users 180 degrees of unobstructed, distortion-free vision. Ignite eyewear incorporates a boldly styled...

Multi-gas detector.(product NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 269 BW Technologies' new GasAlertMax XT multi-detector for H2S, CO, O2 and combustible gases simplifies remote sampling in confined spaces with non-intrusive integrated sampling pump and SmartSample...

Protective fabrics.(product NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 272 Ideal for use in the aluminum and hot metals industries, new PR97[TM] protective fabrics provide greater splash protection capabilities. Fabrics incorporate Merino and LenzingFR[R] fiber blends, along...

Respiratory protection.(product NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 268 AOSafety[R]'s enhanced QuickFit[TM] full facemask respirator with patented Twist and Seal design features a headgear option for hard hats. Standard QuickFit with plastic headgear goes on with a twist...

Forklift grips.(product NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 270 ForkGrips solve the common problem of lift forks being too short and too slippery to unload cargo that is barely within reach. ForkGrips allow cargo to be dragged closer to the edge of the truck by...

Multi-gas detection.(product NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 271 GfG's new intrinsically safe G460 is a rugged, compact instrument for simultaneous detection of up to 6 gases. Installed sensor options include infrared (NDIR) for CO2 and PID for VOC measurements....

Chemical-resistant garments.(product NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 273 PolyCo's new VR[TM] Protective Wear garments are chemical-resistant, lightweight and ideal for use in contamination control and cleanroom environments. Providing workers impervious protection against...

Floor matting makes a difference: improve safety and worker productivity from the ground up.(facility safety)
March 1, 2008... Very often, facilities treat matting systems and the placement of mats as a secondary issue. Matting might be installed only during rain or snow storms or after there is a problem, such as a slip or fall accident, or when there are health...

1 High-viz garments.(PRODUCT UPDATE: high-visibility apparel)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 260 ERB Safety offers a range of high-visibility products featuring superb quality and design. Recommended for high traffic areas such as roadway construction or utility work, or wherever high-visibility...

2 Waterproof suits.(PRODUCT UPDATE: high-visibility apparel)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 265 New Icon and Vision waterproof suits from Tingley Rubber meet ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 standards for breath-ability and high visibility. Providing all-season protection, Icon offers premium design features...

3 Rain jacket.(PRODUCT UPDATE: high-visibility apparel)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 264 OccuLux Rainwear Jacket (LUX TJR) provides high-visibility protection in harsh elements. Part of the company's new Class 3 and ANSI 107-2004 compliant rainsuit (pants: LUX-TENR), the waterproof jacket...

4 Hooded sweatshirt.(PRODUCT UPDATE: high-visibility apparel)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 266 High-visibility ANSI Class 2 Level 2 mid-weight hooded zip-front sweatshirt (style # K218) from Carhartt offers warmth and durability while featuring premium 3M[TM] Scotchlite[TM] retroreflective...

5 Protective outerwear.(PRODUCT UPDATE: high-visibility apparel)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 263 Envisage[TM] high-visibility protective outerwear from NASCO utilizes a waterproof, breathable film to ensure worker comfort. The ANSI/ISEA 107 compliant apparel keeps workers dry during foul weather...

6 Class 2 vests.(PRODUCT UPDATE: high-visibility apparel)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 261 ANSI 107-2004 Class 2 Vests from Lakeland are available in a variety of styles featuring zipper front closure, adjustable sides and silver reflective trim on 4.5-in. Gro-grain. Ideal for men and women...

7 Bomber jacket and pants.(PRODUCT UPDATE: high-visibility apparel)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 262 MCR Safety's Luminator[TM] rainwear and high-visibility vest offerings now include a Class 3 water-repellent, insulated jacket and pants. Bomber jacket features 2-in. wide 3M[TM] reflective stripes...

8 Reflective trim.(PRODUCT UPDATE: high-visibility apparel)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CIRCLE 259 3M[TM] Scotchlite[TM] Reflective Material--Series 5500 Comfort Trim features a unique "striped" design that improves moisture vapor transmission to allow workers to stay drier and cooler. The soft,...

Industrial Scientific Corp.(MOVES)
March 1, 2008... Industrial Scientific Corp. has elected Justin McElhattan to the newly created position of president and chief operating officer. McElhattan will be responsible for integrating and growing the corporation's worldwide gas monitoring business.

ERB Safety.(MOVES)
March 1, 2008... ERB Safety has hired Scott Thorne as national sales manager. Thorne will manage the majority of the U.S. sales regions.

The Larson Davis division of PCB Piezotronics, a provider of noise and vibration exposure instrumentation and software for industrial hygiene and safety.(BUSINESSES)
March 1, 2008... The Larson Davis division of PCB Piezotronics, a provider of noise and vibration exposure instrumentation and software for industrial hygiene and safety, has signed an exclusive worldwide distribution agreement for the products and services of...

Protective Industrial Products Inc. (PIP), a leading manufacturer of personal protection equipment (PPE), has formed a new alliance with X3 Labs Inc.(BUSINESSES)
March 1, 2008... Protective Industrial Products Inc. (PIP), a leading manufacturer of personal protection equipment (PPE), has formed a new alliance with X3 Labs Inc., a Toronto-based firm, to become the exclusive marketer of X3 Clean alcohol-free antimicrobial...

EnviroSolve Corp. and Safety Unlimited Inc. have joined to introduce HASP Online.(BUSINESSES)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... EnviroSolve Corp. and Safety Unlimited Inc. have joined to introduce HASP Online (www.hasponline. com), a commercially available online service for creating HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) site-specific health and...

Events.(Calendar)
March 1, 2008... march/april Certificate Preparation Workshops, March 9-14, Baltimore, MD; March 30-April 5, Des Plaines, IL; April 27-30, Denver, CO, American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), (847) 699-2929, www.asse.org Certificate in Safety...

Could it be at long last? Opinions differ on a new era of respect for EHS.(your turn)
March 1, 2008... Here in 2008 could a tipping point have been reached in how the environmental health and safety (EHS) profession is perceived by business executives? Do execs view EHS pros more positively than ever before? Consider these findings from...