Industrial Safety & Hygiene News articles from May 2001

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News archives from May 2001

Off the radar screen.(public opinion on workplace safety)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Why the public doesn't think about job safety At the "Workplace Safety Summit," held in Washington, D.C., in late March, the final session on the two-day agenda raised these questions: Why is there no public debate around workplace safety?...

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... changing thinking My employees don't take safety seriously. What tools are available to change their thinking? Remind your employees of OSHA's General Duty Clause: 5(a)1 states that employers must provide a safe workplace. I'd also...

Recordkeeping rules come under attack.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Business group wants court to toss out OSHA's new requirements Arguing that OSHA's new recordkeeping rule is "arbitrary, capricious, and an abuse of discretion," the National Association of Manufacturers went to court in March seeking to...

Former OSHA chief Jeffress: Rule was not rushed.(Charles Jeffress)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... From his office in Raleigh, N.C., where he has set up shop as a health and safety consultant, former OSHA chief Charles Jeffress told ISHN that he wasn't "terribly surprised" that Congress acted so quickly after his departure to kill the ergo...

Ergone? Are your ergo worries over? Five questions for the future.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Companies sold on the benefits of ergonomics programs are not going to pull the plug on 'em now that OSHA's standard has bit the dust. Successful programs improve employee performance and productivity (measured by increased throughput,...

GENETIC TESTING ON INJURED WORKERS?(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... A railroad stops its program following complaints and a court challenge Fort Worth-based Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co. agreed earlier this year to stop genetic testing on employees who filed claims for carpal tunnel syndrome...

SAFETY PAYS IN THE NUKE INDUSTRY.
May 1, 2001... Analyzing data from all nuclear power plants in the U.S., Entergy Corporation learned that safer plants (in terms of number of violations cited by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission) performed better -- and at lower operating costs, according to...

Treasury chief gets blunt about safety.(Paul O'Neill)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Workplace safety is a subject I've spent a lot of time thinking about and studying." How many CEOs have you heard say that? Paul O'Neill, former chief executive at Alcoa, Inc., and current U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, backed up...

Into thin air Threat of second-hand tobacco smoke wanes.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Americans have much lower levels of a tobacco-linked carcinogen in their bodies than they did a decade ago, thanks chiefly to tough anti-smoking laws, according to a national study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A drop...

LEADING CAUSES OF JOB INJURIES.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Index lists top 10 problems 1 Overexertion -- too much lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, carrying or throwing of an object 2 Falls on the same level 3 Bending, climbing, loss of balance, slipping without falling 4 Falls to a...

Job fatigue could pose pregnancy risk.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Be alert to pregnant workers in labor-intensive, physically demanding jobs with long periods of standing. Research indicates repeated heavy lifting or working with machinery on the job may increase a pregnant woman's chances of a pre-term...

Ratings assess financial risk of EHS & social factors.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Looking to document safety's bottom line benefits? Something called the BV-SERM rating system by Bureau Veritas (BV) and SERM Rating. Agency allows the financial impact of safety, environmental and social risks to be quantified for...

You've got to believe.
May 1, 2001... How safety benefits from "can do" attitudes Do you try to influence self-efficacy, response-efficacy, and outcome-expectancy to improve safety in your workplace? What? Let me explain these psychological terms. First, when you...

Scott sold to Tyco.(Scott Technologies Inc., Tyco International Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Scott Technologies, maker of respiratory protection equipment and gas detectors for fire-fighting and industrial markets, has been acquired by Tyco International, a giant multinational manufacturing and service company. Scott, which also...

ON TAP: Safety Week 2001.
May 1, 2001... Five safety industry trade associations are teaming up to bring you Safety Week 2001, July 20-24, at the Grandover Resort, Greensboro, N.C. The Safety Equipment Distributors Association, Safety Equipment Manufacturers Agents Association,...

Lab Safety buys into enviro market.(Lab Safety Supply, Inc., Ben Meadows Co.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Lab Safety Supply, Inc., a subsidiary of W.W. Grainger, has acquired Ben Meadows Company, a Georgia-based direct marketer of equipment for the natural resources and forestry management markets. Privately-held Ben Meadows has annual sales of...

MID-YEAR REPORT CARD: How's the market faring?(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Time flies... As you read this, the year 2001 is nearly half over. So how's safety business shaping up in this year that seemed so futuristic when Stanley Kubrick released his movie "2001" way back in 1968? Grainger, the $5-billion MRO...

Road construction targeted for PPE sales.(personal protective equipment)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Greater use of personal protective equipment on road, bridge, tunnel, and airport construction projects is the aim of a new national awareness campaign launched by the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA). Elements of the...

PureSafety.com gets $2 million in financing.
May 1, 2001... Net-based safety training provider PureSafety.com has secured $2 million in additional financing from Cleverventures Learning Fund. Nashville-based PureSafety.com creates content, provides consulting, and offers a library of environmental...

Did you wait too long to sell your business?
May 1, 2001... Too many owners wait too long -- and have nothing left to sell It was your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If You nursed your business through good times and bad. Put your heart and soul into it. But now you have trouble each morning -- you...

How's your psyche?(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Scary times Still carry opportunities Market slump, sell off, lay off, tax cut, rate cut, job cut, soft landing, hard landing, recession, energy crisis, dot-corn bubble burst, economy going from bad to worse... Woe is me. Where's the...

Beyond regulation: How to win at ergonomics & influence your customers.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... On March 6th and 7th, the amazement of safety distributors could be sensed across the U.S. as first the Senate, then the House voted to scuttle OSHA's ergonomics standard. Ergonomics Web sites and e-mail lists lit up as distributors and safety...

Crews introduces NASCAR Licensing Program.(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Certain brand names have become so highly recognizable that other products use those brand names to increase customer acceptance or generate new markets for their products. Crews has initiated several brand name alliances by procuring several...

RAE Systems thrives on innovation.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... When RAE Systems set up shop in 1991, its leading competitor in the toxic gas detection market used a motorcycle battery to power its unit. "You carried them on your hip," says RAE System's Marketing VP Bob Henderson. "You needed to clean...

Grainger rolls three e-businesses into one.(Material Logic)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Grainger has consolidated three of its digital businesses into a separate organization, Material Logic. The new unit is seeking participation from MRO distributors to create an industry-backed, industry-funded independent entity that will own...

"When ten cents is worth more than a dime".(Amazon.com)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com sent me 10 one-cent stamps in early January. The envelope screamed, "OPEN ME! (Convenience Enclosed)." Inside, it goes on to say, Dear Friend, From the start, one of our primary goals at Amazon.com has...

HYTEST blends brands and tech innovations.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW) -- the parent company of HYTEST Safety Footwear, is a company that makes more than 35 million pairs of shoes a year, has contracts with 20-some contract factories worldwide, sells its shoes in 140...

Is your home threatened by pollution?(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Web-based environmental maps could spark an outrage Has your home decreased in value due to nearby pollution or environmental hazards? If you're not sure, you can easily visit a few Web sites and find out (see sidebar). Environmental...

How do you measure safety?
May 1, 2001... Don't just count injuries and illnesses Have you noticed senior managers are getting more active in assuring that their organization's culture includes environmental health and safety as a core value? A few show signs of truly...

Our exclusive survey shows how to get what you need.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... How do safety and health pros get budget and staff increases? What drives companies to invest in safety and health? Why are some pros satisfied in their jobs, and others are not? Timely questions, wouldn't you say? Especially given...

PROTECTIVE GLOVES.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Marigold[R] Industrial 12-in, unsupported PVC SupasoftTM gloves replace traditional PVC gauntlets and breathable PVC-coated gloves in many applications. SupasoftTM gloves are a good alternative to natural rubber latex gloves, when latex allergy...

RECTANGULAR EYEWEAR.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Lexa[R] Xl from AOSafety has the contemporary, rectangular shape of the latest popular street wear. The eyewear is lightweight for maximum comfort. It is available with two new, stylish lenses: bronze for outdoor applications and indoor/outdoor...

HALF-MASK.(Scott's XcelTM half-facepiece)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Scott's XcelTM half-facepiece offers respiratory protection against gases, vapors, fumes and other airborne particulates. The Xcel comes in four sizes and is molded from thermoplastic elastomer for a soft, comfortable fit. Its flex-fold over...

SINGLE-GAS DETECTOR.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... MSA has introduced the PULSAR single-gas detector, featuring a maintenance-free, 24-month service life. The unit detects CO, [H.sub.2.S] and [O.sub.2] Spring and suspension clips keep PULSAR attached even during the roughest use. The instrument...

PADLOCK MANAGEMENT.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The Padlock Management System, available through Brady Signmark, is a secure padlock storage system. To remove a lock from the system, an employee must use an issued "acces key," which has an injection-molded, numerical identifier. Once the...

IAQ MONITOR.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The KD 451 is a lightweight, hand-held indoor air quality monitor. Base unit includes [CO.sub.2], temperature, relative humidity, and three additional channels for user-specified electrochemical sensor configurations or external analog input...

GAS DETECTION EQUIPMENT.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Zellweger Analytics, Neotronics Div., has introduced IMPACT, a new portable gas monitor. Available in up to four gases with a variety of toxics, the instrument conforms to all applications. Ask about the "Smart Cartridge," the next generation...

CARBON DIOXIDE METER.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... The GompuFlow 8650 carbon dioxide meter from Alnor measures from 0 to 5,000 ppm. Useful for investigating and verifying room conditions, the unit also measures temperature, humidity, dew point and wet bulb with one probe. It is a datalogging...

COMBUSTION ANALYZERS.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... TSI's Series CA-6200 CA-CALC[TM] portable combustion analyzers provide real-time analysis of flue gases for optimizing the combustion efficiency of boilers, process heaters, furnaces and other combustion appliances. All models measure CO,...

VACUUM CLEANERS.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... Nilfisk-Advance America has introduced the CFM R Series of industrial vacuum cleaners specifically designed for use in packaging applications in industries such as food and pharmaceutical. The features of the R Series make it ideal for removing...

HEAVY-DUTY GARMENTS.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Kappler Durables[TM] heavy-duty garments protect against know hazards in chemical handling and maintenance operations. Line includes Durables 1 and Durables 2, Kappler's proprietary PVC and CPE products, and Butyl.

ERGONOMIC MOUSE.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The new Contour RollerBar Mousing Station[TM] sits just below the spacebar on a standard keyboard. It gives the user accurate cursor control with the fingers still relaxed on the home row. User may alternate hands to roll the bar and operate...

EYEWASH COVER.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Protect eyewash from debris and tampering with integrated stainless steel bowl cover. The heavy duty cover is available for all styles of eyewash and shower equipment and is ideal in areas where dust or fibers may collect and adversely affect...

SAFETY PRODUCTS CATALOG.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Lab Safety Supply's winter/spring Safety Direct(r) catalog features 676 pages of products, including fall protection, protective clothing, hearing protection, respirators, first aid, labels, and more. Free technical support is available for...

WALL MONITORS.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The MD-16 is a series of single-channel, wall-mounted, continuous detectors that are available for monitoring different toxic gases in either low or high ppm levels. These standalone, compact gas monitors are enclosed in durable, weatherproof...

FULL-FACEPIECE RESPIRATOR.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The 3M [TM] full-facepiece FR-M40 is made of a soft silicone material with a single flanged edge for a secure seal. The 3M [TM] cartridge FRC2A1 can be mounted on either side of the facepiece, and a drinking tube can be used without removing...

MULTI-GAS MONITOR.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The TARGET Series portable gas detector features hands-free operation; up to six sensors including broad range toxic, durable packaging; peak hold; latching alarms; and multiple alarm levels. Options include internal motorized simple pump and...

MSDS SOFTWARE.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The all-new MSDSpro 3.5 allows free unlimited MSDS downloads and automated MSDS updates. Simply pick the MSDS you need and import it. MSDSpro also creates location-specific binders for MSDS backups and OSHA compliance.

WORK GLOVES.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... Best Mfg. has added two improved work gloves to its General Purpose line, which provide workers with an alternative to cotton and lightweight leather gloves. The Nitri Flex [R] Lite features a nitrile coating on a nylon shell that fits like a...

PARTICULATE SENSOR.(from MIE Inc)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... The pDR-1000AN [TM] airborne particulate monitor can be used as a sensor to run HVAC equipment only when needed. Compact and stable, the unit provides continuous real-time particle concentration measurements of airborne dust, smoke, mist and...

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The new Bullard Sabre [R] Tornado respiratory system lets users choose from six different application-specific head-tops and configure them with either the lightweight T-Power [R] powered air-purifying unit or the T-A-Line [R] continuous flow...

INFRARED DETECTOR.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... Flammable gases in hazardous areas can be monitored with the Nimbus fixed infrared detector from Crowcon. Designed to be integrated with existing gas detection systems, Nimbus can be used in conjunction with digital communication networks or...

DELIVERY SAFETY TRAINING.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... "Delivering the Goods" is a training program that teaches delivery workers how to safely navigate their routes. Topics include: safe lifting practices, safe loading techniques, hazard identification, proper vehicle entry and exit, and best...

NSTRUMENT RENTALS.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Ashtead Technology rents portable instruments for industrial hygiene applications. Equipment includes personal air sampling pumps, aerosol monitors, noise dosimeters and a variety of detectors for ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Ashtead...

NEW PACKAGING.(Dalloz Safety earplugs)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Dalloz Safety now offers 200-pair packaging of its Bilsom[R] 200 Series Eardown[R] and 300 Series foam disposable earplugs. The plugs are each available in two sizes and are designed to fit a variety of ear sizes.

CHEMICAL PROTECTION.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... Tychem[R] TK is a new fabric from DuPont that provides high-end, limited-use chemical protection. The fabric has been tested for permeation barrier performance on more than 250 industrial chemicals and chemical warfare agents.

MAGNIFICATION LENSES.(Uvex Optx 20/20)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... Uvex Optx 20/20[R] lenses are soft, pliable, bifocal-sized add-ons that enable workers to read and perform close work tasks on the job without removing their protective eyewear to put on magnifying glasses. Designed as an ultra-thin, half-moon...

SAFETY SUPPORT.(National Safety Council)
May 1, 2001... National Safety Council helps people and companies address critical safety issues, including workplace health and safety, occupant protection and drunk driving, and falls in the home. The organization offers distinctive products and services,...

GAS DETECTOR.(IST AIM Turn Around Boss)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... The AIM Turn Around Boss multi-gas detector from IST-Aim is ideal for use during industrial plant turn-arounds. The unit Boss ships standard with a version of the Millennium 4601 and Lead Acid Battery Pack to provide 32 hours of run time with...

ERGONOMICS TRAINING.(new package from Coastal)
May 1, 2001... Coastal's new training package includes: the "Ergonomics: Solving The Puzzle" video; a new 10-minute supervisory video; 50 fully illustrated employee handbooks; an expanded leader's guide; a colorful 18" x 24" laminated poster; and overhead...

WEB GLOVES.(from Perfect Fit Glove Co)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... Perfect Fit's web glove coating resists abrasion while providing dexterity and a firm grip. A reinforced thumb crotch reduces wear to increase glove life.

LOCKOUT/TAGOUT LINE.(North Safety Products)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... North has launched anew line of lockout/tagour products, including lockout hasps, valve covers, ball and butterfly lockouts, circuit breaker lockouts, and lock-a-switch lockouts. The new product line consists of over 170 items, including...

MSDS MANAGEMENT.(MSDSOnline service)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... MSDSonline[TM], an fob Data Service, is a leading eService provider for efficient and cost-effective management of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). MSDScomplete[TM] offers a total outsourced solution for MSDS management.

ADJUSTABLE EARMUFF.(from Howard Leight)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Howard Leight has introduced the Diamond[TM] 100 (NRR 22), a folding and multi-positional earmuff. The muff can be worn over the head, behind the head, or under the chin. It offers high speech recognition by muffling high frequencies while...

ONLINE SERVICE.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... With OMI's online service, it's no longer necessary to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to medically evaluate your employees for respirator use. Simply log on to http://www.occupational.com/and fill out a corporate profile. From then on,...

FITTEST KIT.(qualitative respirator test kit for OSHA requirements)
May 1, 2001... A qualitative respirator fit test kit is available for testing per OSHA's irritant smoke protocol. The Respifit Kit includes a motorized pump for delivering the specified 200 cc/mm. flow rate, a box of ten stannic chloride ventilation tubes,...

SAFETY TRAINING.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... ESHconnect currently offers 40 Web-based training courses in environmental and safety, human resources compliance, and general human resources personal and professional development. Courses are designed to operate with Syntrio's A-Train OLT and...

DISPOSABLE EARPLUGS.(from Moldex)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... Moldex offers the Pocket-Pak [R], a earplugs storage case that slips easily into the user's pocket. The case resists crushing so it's tough enough to store in a tool box. Each case comes with two pair of uncorded or one pair of corded...

MTBE CHIP.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... Draeger Safety has introduced a low-range CMS Chip for Methyl-Tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE), 10 to 200 ppm. The Draeger CMS Chip Measurement System combines a measuring Chip with an electronic-based analyzer for easy-to-spot measurements.

SOUND LEVEL METER.(2800M Metrosonics integrating sound level meter)
May 1, 2001... Quest Technologies' 2800M Metrosonics brand integrating sound level meter is provides measurements of SPL, Lmax, Lmin, Leq, SEL and elapsed time. Selectable response time constants include slow, fast, impulse and peak. Measurement ranges...

BIOAEROSOL FILTERS.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... SKC offers three types of ready-to-use filters for the collection of bioaerosols. For optimum sample integrity, each filter is sterilized with gamma radiation and preloaded into a cassette.

HYDRATION SYSTEM.(CamelBak's WaterMaster)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... CamelBak's WaterMaster [TM], a high-capacity personal hydration system, is ideal for workers in remote job sites or hot, outdoor settings who need a full work shift's supply of water with them. The backpack-like system contains an insulated...

CANISTERS.(MiniCans)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... Galson Laboratories offers MiniCans for short-term (five seconds to 30 hours) sampling. Small and lightweight enough to attach to a worker's belt, the unit requires no pumps or batteries. The 400 cc and one-liter stainless steel canisters are...

What you can do to prevent FALLS.(workplace fall prevention program)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Last year, 700 workers fell and never got up While the line, "I've fallen and I can't get up" has become a sort of joke, this literally occurs too frequently in the workplace. In the year 2000, more than 700 U.S. workers fell and never got...

TURNKEY SERVICES.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... CAI Safety Systems helps protect employees with custom-engineered fall protection solutions. Systems can range from a cable to a rigid rail for both horizontal and vertical applications. Implementation of your fall protection program is made...

SUSPENSION WORKSEAT.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... DBI/SALA offers a range of support seats designed for window washing, maintenance, painting, and other suspended work applications. The model 1001004 suspension workseat (shown) features a seat board, tongue buckle body belt with 3-in, pad,...

CONTROLLED DESCENT SYSTEM.(Miller SafEscape)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... The Miller [R] SafEscape controlled descent/self-rescue system is designed for smooth automatic vertical and angular controlled descent from overhead cranes, towers, aerial lifts, oil derricks, platforms or other elevated work areas. The system...

HORIZONTAL LIFELINE.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The G-Raff horizontal lifeline system is a permanently installed, multi-span horizontal lifeline designed to provide safe access and continuous fall protection to any operator requiring horizontal mobility. The unit features rugged steel cable...

ROPE GRAB.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... Gemtor has redesigned its Model VF649 rope grab for improved convenience, versatility, usability, and economy. The device is engineered to follow a worker up and down a vertical synthetic rope lifeline and lock in place automatically if a fall...

HEAT-RESISTANT EQUIPMENT.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The Thermatek line of products from MSA Rose consists of the Thermatek harness, Thermatek shock-absorbing lanyards, and the Thermatek anchorage connector strap. All products include Kevlar [TM] webbing, which resists chemicals and heat.

Getting personal about HEAT STRESS.
May 1, 2001... Do your workers know the facts? OK, you've conducted a hazard assessment and identified heat stress as a potential problem in one work area. You've developed a heat stress management plan, put engineering controls in place, changed some...

COVERALL.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The KleenGuard [R] Select Coverall from Kimberly-Clark's Safety Division is made from a strong and breathable three-layer SMS fabric designed to reduce heat stress and enhance worker comfort and productivity. It offers protection against many...

COOLING PRODUCTS.(Allegro Industries)
May 1, 2001... Allegro Industries now offers a complete line of cooling products featuring a non-toxic polymer fabric that is activated by water, allowing this composite to absorb and lock in water to cool from 24 to 72 hours. All products are reusable by...

COOLING ACCESSORIES.
May 1, 2001... Icy Blue Ones [TM] from American Allsafe feature cooling crystals that absorb up to 200 times their weight in water. This line of cooling products features a high-quality fabric that keeps the polymer crystals inside and protects against...