Industrial Safety & Hygiene News articles from May 2003

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News archives from May 2003

Why health & safety lacks public support.(Editorial)
May 1, 2003... In January, The New York Times -- PBS series of articles and a broadcast documentary told of thousands of injuries and hundreds of OSHA violations at pipe foundries owned by a little-known but prosperous Alabama business. Days later,...

Almost history: lessons learned from a close call. (Editorial Comments).(Editorial)
May 1, 2003... The phone rings: "Hello, dad, can you come pick us up? Mike's car ran off the road." "Are you OK? Is everyone alright?" "Yeah. I might have a black eye but everyone's alright." I figure I'll find a car stuck in a ditch. But as I...

Questions & Answers.(social responsibility)
May 1, 2003... social responsibility Q: We need OSHA rules and inspections to make sure companies act responsibly. What else would motivate a company to be socially responsible? A: Agreed. However, far worse than OSHA is the local community standing...

Counter terrorism respirators. (ANSI Standard Coming For).
May 1, 2003... The voluntary consensus standard committee ANSI/AIHA ASC Z88, accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), provides guidelines for selection and use for many types of respirators. However, those guidelines do not address...

Judge dismisses Bhopal lawsuit. (Rules & Regs).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Union Carbide Corp. is off the hook - again. A U.S. federal judge threw out claims for a second time brought on behalf of victims of the 1984 chemical leak in Bhopal, India. Background: A U.S. appeals court had reinstated some of the claims...

OSHA's emergency preparedness efforts. (EPA Expert to Head).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... OSHA has tapped an EPA expert in community right-to-know to be its point person for coordinating emergency preparedness and response in workplaces around the nation. John Ferris is the new Special Assistant for Emergency Preparedness, in a move...

Chemical plant security. (Look for Laws to Tighten).
May 1, 2003... The American Chemistry Council says it supports a new General Accounting Office report released in March that calls for a national strategy to address chemical security, and the ACC is urging Congress to pass legislation that will set up a...

Occ docs, big box retailers target ergo injuries. (Rules & Regs).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Two more organizations have formalized pacts with OSHA, bringing the total number of formal alliances the agency has created to 22. ACOEM is an international medical society of more than 6,000 members, headquartered in Arlington Heights,...

Serial violators to feel the heat. (Rules & Regs).(workplace regulations)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Employers who repeatedly defy OSHA regulations will receive more inspections and face possible court-ordered compliance as part of a new "get tough" policy announced by the agency. OSHA's Enhanced Enforcement Policy will focus on employers...

How do your rates compare? (Serious Injuries).(work place injuries)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The most severe work place injuries and illnesses--requiring time away from work--dropped 7.6 percent in 2001, with musculoskeletal injury and illness lost-workday cases falling 9.6 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)....

Fishing is relaxing? (News Scan).(fishing deaths)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... About 152 of every 100,000 fishermen and women are killed on the job, say the U.S. Labor Department's latest statistics. That's the highest fatality rate of any occupation, slightly higher than the rate of loggers and more than nine times the...

Did smallpox vaccine contribute to nurse's death? (News Scan).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Did the smallpox vaccine administered by the federal government as part of a national plan contribute to the death in March of a Maryland nurse, and to serious side effects in six other people recently inoculated against the virus? The...

Mold worries continue to spread. (News Scan).(unresolved mould insurance claims)
May 1, 2003... About 24,000 homeowners across the nation had mold-related insurance claims unresolved as of December 31, The New York Times reports, citing estimates from a Texas-based homeowners advocacy group called Policyholders of America. Mold has...

Enviro management systems can boost performance, compliance. (News Scan).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Formal environmental management systems (EMS) can improve the environmental performance of government units and businesses as well as their operating and management efficiencies and, sometimes, compliance with regulations, a major new study...

First corporate responsibility benchmark published. (News Scan).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The United Kingdom's first Corporate Responsibility Index has been published by the trade group, Business in the Community. It is the first business-led, voluntary index publicly benchmarking the responsible business practice of companies in a...

Pardon the inconvenience: assess the degree of difficulty in doing a job safely. (Psychology of Safety).(Editorial)
May 1, 2003... My ISHN article last month discussed how to estimate the relative risks of behaviors considered for inclusion on a critical behavior checklist (CBC). Three dimensions of behavioral risk--exposure, severity, and probability--were described as...

Ambient Air Analyzer.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Thermo Electron Corporation's (formerly known as Thermo Environmental Instruments) MIRAN SapphIRe[TM] Ambient Air Analyzer is the most versatile portable gas detection monitor on the market today. Using infrared technology, this advanced,...

Radiation detection meter.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Thermo Electron Corporation's (formerly known as Thermo Eberline) FH4OG advanced survey meter quickly locates contaminated material or hidden radiation sources. It's ultra-sensitive detector locates even the most minute radiation and is ideal...

Transport Kit Portable FT-IR.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Thermo Electron Corporation's Portable Transport Kit is designed to analyze liquid or solid samples at hazardous material sites, forensic scenes and clandestine labs. This compact and powerful portable Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR)...

TVA Data Manager.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Thermo Electron Corporation's (formerly known as Thermo Environmental Instruments) new TVA1000B Data Manager dramatically improves data handling for fugitive emissions monitoring. It has tremendous flexibility, is easy to use, and has a highly...

Ready for a new world order? The impact of globally harmonized hazard communication. (Managing Best Practices).(classification of chemicals)
May 1, 2003... Since 1992, the U.S. and many other countries have been working to establish a Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS establishes a common and coherent system for chemical hazard...

Avoiding heat stress: take a proactive, rather than reactive, approach.
May 1, 2003... Working in hot environments can be more than merely uncomfortable -- it can present significant hazards. Heat stroke is an extremely serious situation caused by the failure of the body's internal mechanism to regulate its core temperature....

Hydration beverage. (Heat Stress).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 205 Offering 14 grams of carbohydrate (50 calories) and 110 mg of sodium per eight-ounce serving, Gatorade(r) sports beverage has been demonstrated to offer such benefits as: stimulating voluntary drinking to maintain hydration;...

Cooling Vests. (Heat Stress).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 202 Among Allegro's complete line of cooling products for workers are five styles of lightweight Cooling Vests. Utilizing a non-toxic polymer fabric that is activated by water, each vest has such features as fire-retardant Nomex[R]...

Breathable coveralls. (Heat Stress).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 201 Featuring exceptional breathability, Kimberly-Clark's KleenGuard[R] Coveralls help protect workers against heat stress. Made using the company's patented Reflex[TM] Coverall Design, the durable garments provide excellent...

Activity drink. (Heat Stress).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 204 Sqwincher is an electrolyte replacement drink designed to quickly restore mineral salts and fluids lost through dehydration, physical exertion and heat stress. Available in a variety of packaging options including liquid and...

Mobile cooling unit. (Heat Stress).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 203 Cool Zone's new Work Zone[R] trailer is a mobile and fully self-contained air-aspirated fogging system designed for hard-to-cool and environmentally compromised industrial and commercial applications. The free-standing cooling...

Isotonic drink. (Heat Stress).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 206 Premium Thirst Quencher is ideal for cooling off your employees, especially in the summer heat. The thirst-quenching isotonic beverage features very low sodium and high potassium., and is great tasting. Premium Thirst Quencher...

It's all clear: today's confined space gas detectors offer more features, better performance.
May 1, 2003... Estimated between $120 and $140 million USD per year, the North American confined space gas detector market is very large, and very mature. Many confined space instrument users are on their fourth or fifth generation of gas detectors and seem...

Monitoring gas exposure data: as instrument technology advances, know what capabilities you need most.
May 1, 2003... Tools of the trade used by occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) professionals have advanced to the point where instruments are chock-full of exceptional features, many of which come standard with the product. Portable gas...

The rush is on. (Homeland Security).(gas mask sales)
May 1, 2003... "It's a vital market... it's an unfortunate market," MSA President William A. Lambert told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Here are some other descriptions of the homeland security market: "There's a huge market opportunity..."--Dawn Van...

The new reality. (Homeland Security).
May 1, 2003... How large is the homeland security / domestic preparedness market? Here are some measures: * The U.S. will spend $150 billion in the next few years on homeland security, about half of that in the private sector, according to the Security...

That's a lot of PPE. (Homeland Security).
May 1, 2003... * More than one million firefighters are in the U.S. 750,000 are volunteers. * Local police departments employ 556,000 full-time workers. * Local sheriff's departments employ 291,000 full-time workers. * More than 155,000...

Who's buying? (Homeland Security).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... * Municipal fire departments * Airport fire departments * National Guard * U.S. Armed Forces * Hazmat teams * Police and other law enforcement agencies * U.S. Border Patrol * U.S. Customs * Hospitals *...

Targets. (Homeland Security).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... * Chemical plants * Nuclear utilities * Electrical utilities * Water treatment facilities * Government buildings * Major city centers * Subways * Airports * Trains * Airplanes * Highways *...

Hazards. (Homeland Security).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... * Conditions from destructive bombs * Sabotaged operations * Collapsed buildings * Chemical/biological weapons of mass destruction * Attacks that result in fire and smoke, airborne particulates and silica dust, combustible...

What's needed? (Homeland Security).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) Powered-air supply respirators Air-purifying respirators Powered-air purifying respirators Escape masks for self-rescue Thermal imagers Fully encapsulated liquid and vapor...

"Making the case for safety equipment": sales tools for PPE distributors.
May 1, 2003... Want to give your sales efforts an energy boost for today's highly competitive marketplace? The International Safety Equipment Association's (ISEA) award-winning * "Making the Case for Safety Equipment" communications toolkit, developed by...

What distributors can learn from Home Depot's woes.
May 1, 2003... On February 26th Home Depot announced historical financial news results--both its quarterly sales and profits for the quarter ending 01-31 dropped for the first time in history. Sales were off two percent from the same quarter a year earlier,...

Q&A.(homeland security)
May 1, 2003... For Distributors Only columnist AJ McNamara has researched the homeland security market in preparation for launching his new business, For Responders Company (www.forresponders.com). He shared some thoughts with us: When is the homeland...

Applications. (Homeland Security).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Source: MSA Response operations--In the initial reaction to an attack, responders must enter and assess environments with unknown hazards. They need: SOBA, head protection, rescue harnesses, two-way communication, protective clothing,...

Record sales & earnings for MSA. (Homeland Security).(Mine Safety Appliances Company )
May 1, 2003... Strong demand for respiratory protection products in the homeland security market, increased sales in Europe and aggressive product development efforts targeting the fire service market all helped Mine Safety Appliances Company achieve record...

80K Survivair masks to the Pentagon. (Homeland Security).
May 1, 2003... The Defense Department purchased 80,000 Quick2000 respirators, manufactured by Survivair, a unit of Bacou-Dalloz, and will issue the escape masks to nearly 25,000 workers at the Pentagon. Workers will be trained how to use the devices in case...

North buys Dutch respirator company. (Homeland Security).(North Safety Products )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... This past February, North Safety Products acquired Arbin Personal Protection B.V. of Venlo in The Netherlands. As part of its strategy to build market share, North sought a company with respiratory products to complement the extensive...

Selling "peace of mind" on the Web. (Homeland Security).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A sampling of how safety distributors are marketing homeland security/domestic preparedness on the Internet: Fisher Safety -- Showcases "Domestic Preparedness" and "Fire & Emergency" market segments on its homepage. Conney Safety...

Coming soon... standards. (Homeland Security).
May 1, 2003... The Homeland Security Standards Panel (HSSP) was set up by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) this past February to develop homeland security and emergency preparedness standards. An ANSI-sponsored conference on homeland...

Signs of scary times: stories from around the country. (Homeland Security).
May 1, 2003... * "I think we'd be foolish not to be concerned, and if we can protect ourselves we should," says a shopper, loading up on batteries, flashlights, plastic sheeting and duct tape in Albuquerque, N.M. * Fredericksburg, Virginia's hazardous...

Don't leave home without one. (Homeland Security).(survival kit)
May 1, 2003... The "Executive Survival Kit" protects two people for three days, includes over 120 items, and is easily carried. Includes: 12-hour instant light stick, waterproof matches, 44-hour emergency candle, deluxe tube tent/shelter, 50-ft. nylon cord......

Inventory cost accounting systems: which do you use? LIFO (Last In, First Out) FIFO (First In, First Out) FISH (First In, Still Here).
May 1, 2003... Of course FISH, that last 'accounting system," is just a joke meant to get your attention to a very serious problem--slow moving and dead inventory tying up money but producing little if any profit. How much of your inventory is slow or...

Titmus optical: helping industry see clearly. (Supplier Profile).
May 1, 2003... Titmus was founded in 1908 and has made prescription safety frames since 1958. Titmus supplies stylish safety frames that meet ANSI requirements for high-velocity and high-mass impact. The company is known for its expertise in the industry and...

Signs point to success for Accuform. (Supplier Profile).
May 1, 2003... From its humble beginnings in 1976 with just one product and plenty of ambition, Accuform Signs has carved out a nice niche for itself, becoming a leader in custom industrial safety sign manufacturing. The Brooksville, Fla.-based company has...

"Think out of the box"? (Supplier Profile).(Editorial)
May 1, 2003... I recently heard one well-respected business leader state to another high profile business leader, "I've instructed my people to start thinking outside the box!" Wow! Earth shattering! There's something new. Anyway, my first thought, as I...

What goes around comes around: war fever resurfaces--and creates new business niches. (Sales & Management).(Editorial)
May 1, 2003... As I begin this article we are 9- going to war with Iraq, and in choosing a topic I'm reminded of three basic sales call rules from my days as a young manager: Don't chew gum. Don't argue religion. Don't argue politics. So I...

Safety Week 2003 to be held in Toronto.
May 1, 2003... The Safety Equipment Distributors Association (SEDA) has announced that SEDA's 2003 Annual conference will be held in Toronto, Canada from July 26-29, 2003. The meeting will be held at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, which is located along...

Guardian FP: comfort + user-friendly = compliance. (Supplier Profile).(Guardian Fall Protection)
May 1, 2003... Guardian Fall Protection, makers of a range of fail protection products, has a straightforward strategy that has helped the company rise quickly since its founding two decades ago. The Washington state-based company aims to increase fall...

Sqwincher takes heat off industrial workers. (Supplier Profile).
May 1, 2003... Imagine a football player exerting himself for a few hours on a warm September afternoon--running, tackling, blocking, all while wearing heavy pads and a helmet. He surely would appreciate, and even at times require, a cool cup of his favorite...

Seven steps to post-acquisition success: winning with the "coach's handbook". (Mergers & Acquisitions).(safety equipment distribution and management)
May 1, 2003... In January, I suggested in a For Distributors Only article that, contrary to your instincts, now may be the very time to go after a strategic acquisition or two. Today's comments are directed to the necessity of developing a proven game...

Multi-gas detector. (Industrial Hygiene).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 215 Ideal for hazmat response, confined space and fire safety applications, the GasAlertMicro multi-gas detector simultaneously displays oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide and combustibles present. The ultra-compact unit...

Upgradeable PIDs. (Industrial Hygiene).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 217 Ion Science offers a range of PhoCheck PIDs (Models 2000EX and 3000EX) that are readily upgradeable to the topof-the-line PhoCheck 5000EX. The PIDs provide coverage for VOCs and other compounds that are below the range of...

Photoionization Monitor. (Industrial Hygiene).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 212 Photovac's new 2020PRO[TM] Photoionization Monitor provides users with onsite, rapid VOC detection in air, water and soil. The compact, portable unit weighs just 1.75 lbs. (0.8 kg) and is ideal for many applications, including...

Multi-gas monitor. (Industrial Hygiene).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 211 GfG's G 650 Series multi-gas monitor detects up to five gases simultaneously. ToxAlert sensor technology provides protection from hundreds of toxic gases for situations where contaminants are unknown. Features include automatic...

Gas/fire monitoring. (Industrial Hygiene).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 216 The Vortex multi-channel gas and fire monitoring system from Crowcon is available in four configurations to suit different installations. In addition to a standard wall-mounted unit, Vortex can be specified in modular versions...

Lightweight gas monitor. (Industrial Hygiene).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 214 Lumidor's MiniMAX XT combines advanced monitoring and simple functionality to allow two years' continuous monitoring of the atmosphere for potentially hazardous levels of oxygen deficiency or toxic gas. The disposable, personal...

Air sampling pumps.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 213 CasellaUSA offers its new Apex series of personal air sampling pumps. With flow rates from 5 ml/min - 5 L/min, the 17-oz. (452g) Apex Sampler is the lightest weight, true 5 L/min pump available. The high-performance unit...

ESLI technology: relief from APR cartridge change schedules.(respiratory equipment)
May 1, 2003... Working recently with an industrial hygienist at a facility where we were doing some respiratory training, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) was prevalent in the atmosphere. Despite this, workers we interviewed told us that they could not smell the H2S,...

Bioterrorism: how to determine the right respiratory protection. (The Threat of).
May 1, 2003... While public figures fretted over what to do in the face of biological terrorism, safety and security professionals were developing protocols from good common sense safety science. Taking a proactive stance, equipment manufacturers and...

Strategic IH planning: drawing up a blueprint for success.(industrial hygiene)
May 1, 2003... Too often in the safety profession we become so busy that we can't see the forest from the trees. We concentrate on immediacy and become reactive, can be a foreign concept. Stop a minute and think about it. What do most successful...

Don't get Burned: have your staff well trained in fire safety.
May 1, 2003... As a facility safety director or fire protection manager, you have several types of fire training to offer to different groups of people. First, there's your own staff, especially new people. You need to bring them up to the level of fire...

No false starts: get health & safety systems right the first time.
May 1, 2003... Who in today's world of doing more with W less has time to NOT do the right thing right the first time? This article describes seven steps for developing and deploying a health and safety management system that should go a long way to avoid...

Indoor air quality monitors.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... AQ5000/5001Pro Quest Technologies offers two new indoor air quality monitors-the AQ5000Pro and AQ5001 Pro. The AQ5000Pro is a compact, hand-held IAQ monitor for surveys and long term data logging of IAQ indicators. The AQ5000Pro...

New QUESTemp[R] III personal heat strain monitor.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Exposure limits based on WGBT indices include assumptions regarding physical condition and state of acclimatization of the individuals at work or play and do not always consider the microenvironment created by protective clothing. The...

Premier new data management software program.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... QuestSuite[R] Professional The QuestSuite Professional (QSP) software program provides a "system solution" for recording, reporting, charting and analyzing occupational and environmental exposures to the multitude of environmental hazards...

Marketing safety. (Lessons Learned In).
May 1, 2003... Marketing and safety have a lot in common. Marketing is learning what people need, packaging a product, and then communicating not only the product but also the need for it. Marketing is knowing both your audience and product. Safety is...

Nine steps for changing your safety culture.
May 1, 2003... Work on these nine steps and watch your frustration over safety's lack of support decrease as the safety performance of your organization improves. The safety culture will begin to change and most people will not even know their attitude about...

The safety/fitness connection: ten ways to integrate worker fitness into your safety systems.
May 1, 2003... With Baby Boomers hitting their fifties, employers are feeling the impact of the aging workforce. According to the Surgeon General, 60 percent of adults are overweight and out of shape--primary risk factors for cumulative trauma disorders to...

First-aid training: standards to go by.
May 1, 2003... First-aid training not only makes good safety sense, but various compliance requirements call for rapid first-aid response. Compliance requirements come through the U.S. Department of Labor for both OSHA and its sister agency, the Mine Safety...

Driven by chance? (Is Your Safety Process).(safety at work)
May 1, 2003... Imagine a facility that has not been well maintained. The roof leaks, the supporting concrete is spalling, the suspended ceiling is overloaded with equipment, and maintenance personnel are too busy to know that the ceiling in your office is...

Facepiece. (AIHCE Preview).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 229 Scott's new AV-3000[TM] Facepiece features improved downward and peripheral vision as well as enhanced voice communication. A dual adjustment spectacle kit provides fine-tuning for workers who wear corrective lenses. Various...

Accelerator-free nitrile glove. (AIHCE Preview).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 222 N-DEX[R] Free Ultimate, an 11-in. accelerator-free, high-visibility green disposable nitrile glove, is designed for EMT, EMS and paramedic professionals. The glove features a longer and wider cuff, 5-mil thickness and textured...

Half-mask respirator. (AICHE Preview).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 220 AOSafety[R]'s new patent-pending EZ Drop[TM] half-mask cartridge respirator features a slide-release strap that allows for its quick removal without having to remove headgear or other PPE. The user simply unhooks the neck...

Innovative PAPR. (AIHCE Preview).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 223 Bullard's PA30 Series Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) utilizes nickel metal hydride batteries for 8-10 hours of performance, while eliminating the "memory" concern that reduces overall battery service life in other...

Safety spectacles. (AIHCE Preview).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 221 New Envision[TM] spectacles from American Allsafe offer a sporty wrap-around look with an 8-base lens curve and an adjustable ratchet temple for custom fit. Envision features a single lens design, side shields, molded nosepiece...

Dosimeter badge system. (AIHCE Preview).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 227 Nextteq introduces PiezOptic, a dosimeter badge gas detection system that easily monitors daily occupational exposure levels for personnel and area monitoring of toxic gases and vapors. Passive dosimeter badges detect levels...

Knit work gloves. (AIHCE Preview).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CIRCLE 225 Utilizing multi-yarn combinations, Lakeland's DesPro[R] Combination Work Gloves allow you to design protection in the areas where it is needed most. The balance of the glove is knitted using a more economical yarn, while the...