Industrial Safety & Hygiene News articles from May 2004

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News archives from May 2004

Success can breed complacency.
May 1, 2004... Complacency can be your reward for success in workplace health and safety. Consider this email from a subscriber: "We are a small construction company involved with drilling, blasting, crashing, and road building. Manpower fluctuates...

Stick to the states: EHS's "not in my backyard" mindset.(Editorial comments)(Editorial)
May 1, 2004... Some years ago a subscriber protested a cover story we ran on environmental health and safety in China: "What are you doing? I read your magazine for ideas. I've got my hands full and long articles about foreign countries don't help." Our...

The business case.(investments in occupational health and safety)
May 1, 2004... Q Is there truly a dollars and cents argument for investing in safety, or should I base my case mostly on the need for values? A It would be great if concern for the well-being of employees was sufficient to drive the safety effort, but...

Does OSHA's helping hand really help?(rules & Regs; Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
May 1, 2004... OSHA's voluntary compliance strategies show promising results but should be fully evaluated before they are expanded, according to a new report by the Government Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress. With OSHA increasing...

HHS wants firms to join fight against obesity.(rules & Regs)(Department of Health & Human Services)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services says it wants more firms to join a national cooperative effort to increase awareness of the problem of obesity and help individuals access healthy foods and opportunities for healthy physical...

OSHA proposes electrical safety update.(rules & Regs; Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
May 1, 2004... OSHA has proposed revisions to its electrical installation standard based largely on the 2000 edition of the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces (NFPA 70E) and the 2002 edition of...

NYC to go public with injury data?(rules & Regs)(New York City Council)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... New York City Council Member James E Gennaro, backed by representatives from the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health and ten major labor unions, has re-introduced the Work Place Safety Act to the City Council. For the...

Goodyear fined for alleged confined space lapses.(rules & Regs)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. was fined $274,050 by OSHA in March for unsafe conditions at its Akron powerhouse after an employee was buried in coal up to his neck while cleaning a coal bunker last September, according to the Akron Beacon-Journal...

Union wants smoke-free worksites in Europe.(rules & Regs; Trades Union Congress )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The head of the U.K Trades Union Congress labor federation called on the European Commission, which has the power to set safety and health standards for the 15 nations in the European Union (EU), to classify tobacco smoke as a "hazardous...

Britain proposes "corporate killing" law.(rules & Regs)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Britain's Health & Safety Executive estimates that up to 40 percent of the country's annual job-related deaths (approximately 1,500) are the result of serious management failures. Now one member of parliament has renewed calls for a law to...

How non-profit producers add value.(news Scan; human resources)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Safety and health professionals are always on the lookout for ways they can add value to their organizations. Human resource professionals are in a similar position, since they don't directly contribute to a company's profitability. In a recent...

Mexican worker deaths rising sharply.(news Scan)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The jobs that lure Mexican workers to the United States are killing them in a growing epidemic that is now claiming a victim a day, according to an Associated Press investigation. Though Mexicans often take the most hazardous jobs, they are...

Security screeners feel the pain.(news Scan)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The effects of heightened security and lifting and sifting through all those bags is taking its toll on airport screeners--they report the highest rate of injury and illness among federal employees, according to OSHA. The injury and...

BLS releases lost-time injury details.(news Scan)(Bureau of Labor Statistics)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... A total 1.4 million injuries and illnesses in private industry required recuperation away from work beyond the day of the incident in 2002, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Truck drivers and nursing...

Most employees go to work sick, says poll.(Survey)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Some 77 percent of employees report going to work while sick, according to a poll by ComPsych Corp., a provider of employee-assistance programs and other services. Of those responding to the poll, which was taken earlier this year and...

Women with babies opting for home.(news Scan)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Despite an overall increase in women's participation in the work-force, married women with a child less than one year old are leaving the workplace in droves, reports Circadian Technologies. Between 1997 and 2000, the number increased by six...

ASSE makes business case for safety.(News Scan; American Society of Safety Engineers)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... If more employers knew that it's good business to protect people in the workplace they would soon reap the rewards, American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) President James "Skipper" Kendrick says. Companies that invest consistently in...

Personality's powerful role in safety: traits are harder to change than transient states.(Psychology of safety)
May 1, 2004... In this article I want to make an important distinction between one's propensity to get injured on the job (injury proneness) versus one's willingness to participate actively in safety improvement processes. This is part on an ongoing...

Don't leave home without it: NIOSH's chemical safety database on CD.(Managing Best practices; National Institiute for Occupational Safety and health)
May 1, 2004... If you haven't done so already, you should obtain the latest version of the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards and Other Databases on CD-ROM. The information in the CD provides valuable, and sometimes essential, chemical safety information...

Reducing construction health risks: could require radical regulatory changes.(Issues & Trends forecast)
May 1, 2004... It's very troubling to learn that construction fatality rates in several European countries and Japan appear to be lower that those in the U.S., sometimes by as much as 50 percent. Comparisons can be tricky, because of differences in the way...

1 Single-gas monitor.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... CIRCLE 260 The GasAlertExtreme single-gas monitor from BW Technologies offers cutting-edge protection in a wide range of applications. The durable, compact 3-oz. unit detects H2S, SO2, C12, CO, HCN, NO2, 02, NH3, PH3, ETO, NO, C102 or 03....

2 Dockable PID.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... CIRCLE 262 Enhancements to Industrial Scientific's VX500, the first dockable Photolonization Detector (PID), include more accurate readings at higher and lower temperatures. An alarm muting function is included, and improved menu...

3 Area monitor.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... CIRCLE 257 Designed for easy installation and operation, the Sentinel II Area Monitor from Scott provides economical detection of toxic and combustible gases. Gas sensors are plugged in and can be located up to 4,000 ft. away from the...

4 Control system.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... The new Suprema[R] Control System from MSA is a modular, intelligent safety system designed to meet a wide range of fire and gas monitoring needs. The Suprema Controller provides signal processing for up to 256 inputs and 512 relay and analog...

5 Maintenance-free detector.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... CIRCLE 261 Crowcon's Eikon single-gas detector is available in three new versions to detect sulfur dioxide, ammonia and chlorine. Measuring just 2-3/4" in height, the continuous-operation monitors run without parts and are guaranteed...

6 Toxic gas monitor.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... The ToxiRAE II is an easy-to-use single-gas personal monitor that provides continuous readouts of toxic gas concentrations at a price point competitive with many disposable detectors. The one-button unit offers simple calibration, and users can...

Monitoring during maintenance: don't overlook gas detection needs during a planned shutdown.
May 1, 2004... Unplanned or emergency downtime is inconvenient, expensive and increases the risk of a dangerous occurrence. To run a safe and effective planned shutdown period in order to carry out preventative maintenance procedures, two stages of health and...

Dealing with formaldehyde: found in many workplaces, this hazardous gas can pose a serious threat.
May 1, 2004... Formaldehyde is a vital ingredient in many chemical and manufacturing processes. Unfortunately, like many useful materials, this colorless, flammable gas also presents a serious exposure hazard to people in industrial workplaces and,...

The challenges of using multigas instruments: four concerns confined space workers need to address.
May 1, 2004... Let's examine four main categories of challenges workers face when using multigas instruments for confined space safety. 1 Sensor issues Use the appropriate sensors for the job, particularly if your front line crews are doing their own...

Using "equivalent" gas mixtures for calibrating combustible gas sensors.
May 1, 2004... To ensure worker safety it's important for users of combustible, or LEL (Lower Explosive Limit), gas detectors to consider three factors: 1) the need for frequent verification procedures; 2) scale of calibration for proper sensitivity; and 3)...

1 Trailer Fan.(Heat Stress)
May 1, 2004... CIRCLE 256 The CoolMan [TM] 2500 Trailer Fan from Rite-Hite is designed for loading docks where manual parcel loading and unloading takes place. The unit moves air inside the trailer to help increase employee comfort and productivity, and...

2 Personal Air Conditioning.(Heat Stress)
May 1, 2004... CIRCLE 255 ITW Vortec's Personal Air Conditioners (PACs) use a compressed air supply and vortex tube technology to keep workers comfortable in extremely hot environments. With no moving parts, the vortex tube, which is connected to the...

3 Mobile cooling unit.(Heat Stress)
May 1, 2004... CIRCLE 251 Cool Zone's 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...

4 Cooling garments.(Heat Stress)
May 1, 2004... CIRCLE 250 ClimaTech's HeatShield[TM] protects firefighters, mobile personnel and workers from extreme heat conditions. The thin, light, flexible garment is kept frozen overnight and can then be worn to provide several hours of personal...

5 Disposable sweatbands.(Heat Stress)
May 1, 2004... CIRCLE 253 Disposable sweat bands that can be worn under hard hats, welding helmets and sandblasting hoods are a part of Allegro Industries' comprehensive line of cooling products. The sweatbands are available in three styles, including a...

6 Cooling bandanna/headband.(Heat Stress)
May 1, 2004... CIRCLE 254 Icy Blue Ones[TM] from American Allsafe offer workers a comfortable, convenient way to stay cool. Available in bandanna or headband styles, the cooling products contain unique cooling crystals that provide up to 24 hours of heat...

7 Isotonic drink.(Heat Stress)
May 1, 2004... CIRCLE 252 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...

Willie and Joe take time to beat the heat.
May 1, 2004... Willie, you seem, pretty miserable today." "You would be too, Joe--working in this heat all day. I don t know if I can take it anymore!" Joe was more than concerned. He knew that Willie wasn't normally so irritable and it was just one sign...

Don't be left breathless: know the basics about airborne hazards & respiratory protection.
May 1, 2004... Solvents, gas emissions, welding, grinding, soldering, confined spaces--all are examples, and there are countless others, of potential workplace hazards that require appropriate respiratory protection. Effective safety training helps...

Employer footwear programs.(Questions & Answers)
May 1, 2004... Q Describe some of the popular programs employers set up for providing employees foot protection that can also be used off-the-job. Do employers ordinarily pay for one pair of boots or shoes per year, split the cost, or make employees pay? ...

Turnaround tales: two EHS pros pull programs out of the pits.(employee health and safety)
May 1, 2004... When Mike Kalbaugh took the safety job for two Avery Dennison label manufacturing plants in Cleveland and Strongsville, Ohio, employees had a pool running on how long he'd last. Eight months was the longest bet. And why not--Mike was the fourth...

It's time to go public with safety metrics: transparency is a powerful tool for protection.
May 1, 2004... Try to remember automobile safety advertising from the 1960s. You can't remember any because it didn't exist. When public reporting of standardized car crash test performance data began, the manufacturers who resisted public reporting of this...

Managing EHS in the global supply chain: who does your audits half a world away?(Environmental Health and Safety)
May 1, 2004... Today, most big apparel suppliers rely on independent manufacturers outside the U.S. to make and ship their goods to stores, a strategy that allows branded suppliers to focus on design, marketing, inventory management and careful monitoring of...

Assessing your options for health & safety management systems.
May 1, 2004... An occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) provides a framework for managing your occupational health and safety responsibilities so they become more efficient and more integrated into overall business operations. With no clear...

Four different OSHA logs: know your recordkeeping requirement: go ahead, enjoy the paperwork.(United States, Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
May 1, 2004... Enjoy paperwork. If OSHA s recordkeeping standard, bloodborne pathogens standard and process safety management standard apply to you, that means maintaining four different OSHA injury and illness logs. 1 OSHA injury & illness recordkeeping...

Putting out a fire: could your employees operate a fire extinguisher if needed?
May 1, 2004... Imagine this: Your employees are busy working when someone notices smoke billowing out from behind some machinery. As he gets closer, he sees flames. He grabs the nearest fire extinguisher and starts to spray. Within minutes, the fire is under...

Are you prepared for intentional incidents? A hospital adapts to the new reality.
May 1, 2004... The terror attacks of September 11, 2001, changed many things. The notion of honor in conflict was lost forever, as was the separation of targeting military and civilian assets and people. On that day, terror became the weapon of choice of...

A human factors approach to hearing protection: beyond NRRs and OSHA regs.
May 1, 2004... It's clear that the two major strategies employed to protect worker hearing--reducing noise in the workplace (OSHA's hearing conservation standard) and blocking noise from workers' ears (earplugs achieved their highest noise reduction rating of...

Not-so-typical safety methods: looking to reduce injuries? Try some "alternatives" strategies.
May 1, 2004... You have probably heard of alternative music, alternative lifestyles and alternative medicine, but what about alternative safety? Alternative safety refers to the use of some very unusual practices--at least as related to safety--in an effort...

Reusable gas detectors.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 264 The new ToxiPRO[TM] reusable single-sensor personal gas detectors from Biosystems offer an economical, compact, rugged solution for detecting H2S, CO, O2 and other gases. Ideal for industrial safety and fire service workers, the...

Versatile eyewear.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 265 AOSafety's new EX protective eyewear, part of the company's X Series product line, offers an extensive list of adjustable features making it a versatile safety eyewear option. Adjustable length temples, lens angle adjustment and...

Nitrile glove.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 266 The new Zorb-IT[TM] glove from Best features a patent-pending "sponge nitrile" technology for an extra absorbent flat-dipped nitrile glove that conforms and adheres to the nylon shell extremely well. Zorb-IT gloves are ideally...

IH catalog & CD.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 268 Casella USA offers its 2004 interactive CD and catalog for industrial hygienists and safety pros. The CD provides product and application information in an easy-to-use format. Products available include CEL noise instruments,...

PAPR series.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 267 The PA30 Series Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) from Bullard offers up to ten hours of performance using NiMH batteries, and eliminates the "memory" concern that reduces overall battery service life. Voltage regulation...

Hand wash products.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 269 Ideal for emergency response personnel, new DuPont Antiseptic Hand Wash Products are available either as a personal-size hand spray or as hand wipes and are effective against a wide range of pathogens. Additionally, new DuPont...

Personal gas detector.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 270 The Spectrum Series gas detectors from Enmet include the recently developed motorized Sample Draw Pump and specialized Sampling Adapter that maximizes performance when monitoring ppb levels of certain toxic gases, acid gases and...

Water/air monitoring.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 271 INFICON's Scentograph CMS200 Portable Water and Air Analysis/Monitoring System uses purge and trap gas chromatograph (GC) technology to quickly and accurately analyze water and air samples on site. Applications range from source...

Single-gas detector.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 272 The Shield single-gas detector from IST-Aim protects against hazardous levels of gases in even the most extreme conditions. The CSA-approved unit comes with a maintenance-free two-year guarantee and is equipped to display actual...

Cooling vests.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 274 Phase Change Cool Vests[R] from Lakeland can be worn under hazmat protective suits to give the user greater comfort. The lightweight, washable vest utilizes a unique, nontoxic Phase Change Material that is mechanically sealed in...

Sound level meters.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 275 DSP 82 and DSP 83 Impulse Integrating Sound Level meters from Larson Davis are specifically engineered to provide "Impulse Leq" measurements that quantify the impulsive noise environment. The DSP 83 provides the additional...

Chemical protection.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 273 The HAZARD-GARD[R] line of protective apparel from Kimberly-Clark provides resistance to liquid and dry particulate chemicals. HAZARD-GARD[R] I garments are laminated with a 1.3-mil exterior polyethylene film, while...

Escape hood respirator.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 277 The Survivair QuickPro[R] Chemical-Biological Escape Hood Respirator (CBEHR) provides critical respiratory protection. The easy-to-don escape hood features the Omni-Fit[TM] nose cup and all oversized, anti-claustrophobic,...

Respirator locker.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 276 Moldex's 2350 Respirator Locker[R] is ideal for hot, humid, dusty environments where tool stores are distant or workers are required to travel to remote locations. Providing hygienic storage for workers in the field, the...

Prescription eyewear.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 278 North Safety's new N-Vision 5600 Series protective eyewear allows prescription lenses to be inserted on the new Flexi-fit nosepiece, a three-point non-slip nosepiece that eliminates excessive pressure on the nose. Available in...

Noise dosimeters.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 280 The db-4000EZ Metrosonics dosimeters and NoisePro[TM] Series of Quest dosimeters meet intrinsic safety approvals in accordance with the ATEX Directive, enabling them to be used in hazardous environments within the member...

Coated gloves.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 279 PIP's new GripTek seamless knit, coated gloves offer superior fit, comfort and dexterity, featuring styles with nylon, cotton/polyester, Kevlar[R] and Dyneema[R] liners. These seamless knit liners are coated in latex,...

5-in-1 gas monitor.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 281 Weighing only 11 ounces, RKI's GX-2003 personal 5-in-1 gas monitor with built-in sample pump monitors standard confined space gases (LEE 02, CO and H2S) and measures 100% volume combustibles. The unit dynamically displays either...

Gas mask.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 282 The Promask 40 from Scott offers full face protection with superior comfort and protection against a wide range of respiratory hazards. The halo-butyl elastomer facepiece is resistant to chemicals, high temperature and daily...

Polarized safety glasses.(AIHCE Preview)
May 1, 2004... Circle 283 Smith & Wesson ViewMaster polarized safety glasses offer industrial workers protection from reflected glare in ANSI-compliant eyewear. The streamlined frame made of durable GS7 nylon features a metallic gray finish and includes...

Earplugs.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... The Peltor[R] Next[TM] line of earplugs is designed for today's younger workforce with bright colors, new shapes and easy-to-use features. The line consists of three new plugs: Nitro, No-Touch and Tri-Flange. The Nitro foam disposable plug...

Gas monitoring.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... The MicroMAX Pro combines diffusion and built-in internal sampling pump systems for simultaneously monitoring one to five gases. The popular internal pump allows for easy pre-testing in confined spaces and provides almost instantaneous readings...

Interactive CD and catalog.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... Casella USA offers the new 2004 interactive CD and catalog for interested industrial hygienists and safety professionals. The CD provides useful product and application information in an easy-to-use interactive website-like format. Casella USA...

Cleanroom glove.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... Perfect Fit Glove's New Class 10 cleanroom laundered Pure Fit[TM] glove offers the most extreme levels of particle/fiber control for critical environment applications such as: semiconductor. electronics, biomedical, pharmaceuticals, film...

Heat stress measurement.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... Quest Technologies announces their new QUESTemp[degrees] Sentinel System. a network-based continuous area monitoring system that allows environmental heat stress measurement information for multiple and remote locations to be accessed via your...

New eyewear.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... FLYWEAR protective eyewear uses dual-lens. "fly eye" styling that is popular in today's street-wear products. Patented, dual-aspheric lenses provide prescription-quality optics for less eye strain. With the new DX[TM] anti-fog hard coat....

Monitoring instruments.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... Aim Safety (formerly IST-Aim) currently designs, manufactures, and markets a line of 30 instruments that range from gas detection to heat stress monitoring to IAQ. These products are used for safety and industrial hygiene purposes in many...

In-line axial blowers.(Exhibitor Spotlights)
May 1, 2004... This 10-in. portable blower series has been developed for the customer who may need to run long lengths of ventilation duct. Intake and exhaust flanges allow for either 8-in. or 10-in, duct to be attached to either end of the blower with...

Four-gas monitor.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... Monitoring up to four gases, Tetra has a single button to control all functions, and a backlit "at-a-glance" display giving simultaneous viewing of all gas readings, alarm conditions and battery life. Tetra is easily customized for different...

Multi-gas monitor.(Exhibitor Spotlights)
May 1, 2004... The TARGET Series personal multi-gas monitor features simple hands-free operation, up to six sensors, durable packaging, peak hold, latching alarms, and multiple alarm levels. The instrument can be supplied with sensors for up to six gases,...

Special Ops[TM] series respirators.(Exhibitor Spotlights)
May 1, 2004... The Special Ops[TM] Series was designed to meet even the toughest working conditions. The solid black color stays cleaner looking longer while the Dura-Mesh[R] shell resists collapsing in heat and humidity. The HandyStrap[R] allows the mask to...

Industrial products brochure.(Exhibitor Spotlights)
May 1, 2004... Stop by the International Safety Instruments booth (#1040) and pick Up a copy of the new Industrial Products brochure In it, you'll find details on ISI's complete line of timesaving, easy-to-use respiratory protection equipment, including the...

Training resource center.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... Located at www.jjkeller.com/training, Keller's Training Resource Center[TM] places hundreds of ready-to-use training solutions in one convenient location. Here users can also link to articles covering the latest training-related news and ideas...

EHS software.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... Knorr Associates has 25+ years experience providing an easy-to-use modular software solution for collecting and managing EH&S information. DataPipe is thoroughly customizable, accessible via Web or Windows, offers point-and-click reporting,...

Noise/vibration monitors.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... Larson Davis is a leading supplier of noise and vibration monitors for industrial hygiene. Products include: personal noise dosimeters, Type 1 and Type 2 sound level meters, octave band, impulse and real-time analyzers, and a hand-arm / whole...