Industrial Safety & Hygiene News articles from May 2006

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News archives from May 2006

Management systems made easy; measure 8 key elements to improve your performance.
May 1, 2006... To prepare for this article, I familiarized myself with a number of management systems. This is not intended to be a critical analysis of any of these management systems; it's just one person's observations based on a number of years of...

Ready for some safety hardball? It's about passion & focus--not fanaticism.(EDITORIAL comments)
May 1, 2006... If safety pros want to step up and assume leadership positions in their organizations (and why shouldn't they?), maybe it's time to play a little hardball. What the heck, baseball season is in full swing. No bully ball First, we need...

OSHA-related stings to nab illegals will end.(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement will no longer set up fake workplace safety meetings to apprehend illegal aliens, the Washington Times reports. "The use of ruses involving health and safety programs administered by a private...

Execs go to jail, companies fined for environmental crimes.(rules & REGS)
May 1, 2006... A Virginia executive and two companies, ACS Environmental, Inc. and Air Power Enterprises, Inc., have been sentenced to a substantial jail term and fines for conspiracy to defraud the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational...

Crane collapse deaths prove costly for Fru-Con.(rules & REGS)(Fru-Con Construction Corp.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Fru-Con Construction Corp. has paid a total of $11.25 million in wrongful death claims, attorney fees and other expenses to the families of three of four ironworkers killed in the 2004 collapse of a truss crane used to build the new 1-280...

Clarification.(Correction notice)
May 1, 2006... On the basis of a reader's comments, a note of clarification is needed concerning the rescue of a person in contact with an energized electrical source discussed in the ISHN March 2006 article, "Don't Be a Hero": Never attempt to move a...

Contractor fined $323,000 for lead exposure hazards.(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)(Leo J. Roth Corp.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... A Rochester, NY.-area company faces $323,000 in proposed fines from OSHA for its alleged failure to protect employees against lead exposure at a western New York work site. the Associated Press reports, OSHA inspectors found the Leo J Roth...

Job outlook: Career in safety may be safe bet.(news scan)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational health and safety specialists and technicians is expected to increase as much as 17 percent through...

Stress-busters: 13 tips to overcome stress at work.(news scan)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the National Mental Health Association has developed some mental health tips to help all Americans, including workers, manage life's day-by-day demands. Stress at work can lead to missed deadlines,...

NASA woes continue: mishap damages shuttle part.(news scan)
May 1, 2006... NASA launched an investigation last month into yet another shuttle workplace accident, according to Florida Today. The incident, which occurred in late March at a shuttle spare parts depot in Cape Canaveral, caused serious damage to a nearly...

Worker safety is "third world," Canadian expert claims.(news scan)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Worker safety--or lack thereof--in Ontario, Canada has reached a point where observers are calling conditions "third world," according to a report in the Toronto Star. As the annual day of mourning for workers killed on the job was...

Death in Boston: construction companies' safety records littered with violations.(ACCIDENT)
May 1, 2006... The records of several companies involved in a fatal downtown Boston construction accident last month are littered with workplace safety violations, according to the Boston Herald. The general contractor on the Emerson College dormitory...

Benefits of behavioral safety (part 2): principles to improve individual & group performance.
May 1, 2006... Last month I reviewed five basic principles of the behavioral approach to occupational safety. Each of those fundamentals, including the use of behavioral language to define accountability systems and provide constructive feedback, is relevant...

So you're at your wits end ... what if a health problem is in the head?(MANAGING BEST practices)(Column)
May 1, 2006... Dear Employee: I'm writing this article for you, because your employer is worried that if they bring up the subject, their comments may be taken all wrong and the problem may get worse. The problem is that your employer can't find any...

1 Escape respirator.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... CIRCLE 257 North Safety offers its next-generation CBRN emergency escape respirator, the ER2000CBRN. The new NIOSH-approved escape respirator offers 30 minutes of protection from non-Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH)...

2 Advanced analyzer.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... CIRCLE 252 Quest's new VI-400pro[R] Advanced Analyzer is a powerful handheld device ideal for field use even in the most challenging environments. The analyzer monitors up to four input channels simultaneously, each including 1/1 or 1/3...

3 Environmental sampling.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... CIRCLE 251 The new Environmental Sampling Unit (ESU) from Crowcon is used for monitoring high-density, toxic gases such as chlorine and sulphur dioxide where positioning a conventional sensor is not practical. The ESU's chamber is fitted...

4 Formaldehyde monitor.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... CIRCLE 254 The ENMET Formaldemeter htV is a direct-reading portable formaldehyde monitor that incorporates humidity compensation for peak performance at low concentrations and when taking readings in various environments. Temperature and...

5 Mercury vapor monitor.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... MONITOR CIRCLE 255 The new Jerome J405 mercury vapor monitor detects, measures and reports levels of mercury vapor for environmental, industrial and residential spill and clean-up level monitoring. The lightweight, portable J405 monitor...

6 Single-gas monitor.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... CIRCLE 250 GasBadge[R] Plus from Industrial Scientific is a two-year maintenance-free, single-gas monitor ideal for personal protection from unsafe levels of carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, oxygen, nitrogen dioxide or sulfur dioxide....

7 Monitoring system.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... CIRCLE 253 MSA's new TRIGARD[TM] Monitoring System monitors chlorine, sulfur dioxide and other toxic gases as well as oxygen deficiency or enrichment. The versatile system offers an affordable monitoring solution specifically for water and...

8 Hearing protection.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... CIRCLE 256 Bacou-Dalloz features its new L-Zero (L0) Series earmuffs, designed to provide convenient, reliable hearing protection for workers who are not exposed to high levels of noise and need a compact earmuff solution. Lower...

Today's IH expert: evolving with a rapidly growing industry.
May 1, 2006... To understand where the industrial hygiene industry is, you have to understand how very far it has come in just the past few years. We've moved from a fairly limited "industrial" exposure to an enormous and diversified exposure set. As new...

Gas detections next rra: emerging technologies deliver process excellence.(Gas detection equipment usage)
May 1, 2006... Gas detection equipment usage and maintenance complexity is considered high. For usage, products require basic understanding of hazards (gas stratification and subsequent sampling techniques), action steps upon alarm, and comprehension of...

Prevent heat stress: avert problems through awareness & prevention strategies.
May 1, 2006... Wes (a good friend of mine) and I were inspecting a vessel to make sure it was safe for entry. We had to climb ladders from level to level, and it was August on the Texas Gulf Coast, so it was hot and humid. We were acclimated to the heat...

Heads up! 7 keys to a strong head protection program.
May 1, 2006... You might think that workers who put in more than eight hours a day in dangerous environments would want the very best head protection. After all, when they buy a helmet for their kids for riding their bicycles, they will pay upwards of $50 to...

Don't tempt foot fate; OSHA spells out how to assess foot hazards.
May 1, 2006... Anyone who has ever stubbed a toe in the dark, had a tip-flop blow out, walked barefoot across gravel or otherwise tempted foot fate knows how tender the toes and soles can be once braised, scraped, cut or bashed. Few, if any, can argue the...

Hand safety: are your workers' gloves too comfortable to be safe?
May 1, 2006... The safety industry in recent years--in both industry publications and in the workplace itself--has experienced a barrage of thin-gauged gloves that offer high levels of dexterity and comfort. These styles have helped to persuade employees who...

CFR1910.146 permit-required confined space entry: an expert witness' perspective.
May 1, 2006... Many articles have been written on the topic of confined space entry since federal OSHA issued the final role in 1993. However, few have focused on the ugly "back story" of this topic--what alleged violations are cited when major disaster...

Protective clothing: arc flash & the cotton myth.
May 1, 2006... Many people believe that switching from poly/cotton blend work garments to non-flame resistant 100% cotton is an "upgrade" in safety when it comes to electric arc flash. Safety experts across the country today are busy trying to dispel this...

Updated SCBA standard will benefit emergency services safety.(self-contained breathing apparatus)
May 1, 2006... The Respiratory Protection Equipment Technical Committee (TC) of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is in the final stages of developing an updated performance standard for open-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus used by...

Is your facility fireproof? What to look for and how to prevent workplace fires.
May 1, 2006... On an average day, there are more than 200 place fires in America. Annually, those fires kill hundreds of workers, injure many thousands more and cost American businesses billions of dollars in damage and lost productivity. A prime example...

Hazard identification: don't take any conflicts personally--be a pro.
May 1, 2006... Identifying hazards in your workplace will often amount to a one-person show--with that person being the safety pro. You'll find scant agreement among management personnel when it comes to what is, or constitutes, a hazard. Why? ...

Management system certification: what training requirements will your organization need?(training STRATEGIES)
May 1, 2006... When an organization starts considering certification of its environmental or occupational health and safety management systems, the question often arises, "What kind of training program do we need to have in place to be certified?" Most...

Walking the safety talk: set an example for individual self-direction.
May 1, 2006... Do you really fill the shoes of a "Walk the Talk" safety pro? Let's consider what it takes to be self-directed when it comes to safety. I happen to be a safety director who not only has the opportunity to direct others but I am also...

Multi-gas detector.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... Circle 258 Easy to operate, use and carry, GfG's G850 is well-suited for an open area. The portable gas monitor detects up to six gases simultaneously, protecting from hundreds of unknown toxic gases utilizing a broadrange sensor. Features...

Two-channel controller.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... Circle 259 Sensidyne offers the low-cost Model 9000 Controller for smaller, two-point fixed gas detection systems. Designed for use with Sensidyne's toxic and combustible gas sensors, as well as the company's infrared and universal...

Economical gas detector.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... Circle 260 BW Technologies by Honeywell offers the rugged, ultra-compact GasAlertMicroClip, a tough, slim, easy-to-use multi-gas detector. Economically priced, the unit simultaneously displays H2S, CO, O2 and LEL gas concentrations with...

ARC blast earplugs.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... Circle 261 Designed specifically for arc blast hearing protection, new E-A-R ARC Plug earplugs feature patented Hear-Through[TM] filter technology, which allows the wearer to hear sounds around them clearly (conversation, traffic, etc.),...

Single-gas detector.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... Circle 262 The Toxi Vision EX from Biosystems is a fully serviceable single channel combustible gas detector with real-time gas reading, max readings for the current operating session and customizable alarms. Available in either Alkaline...

Disposable respirator.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... Circle 263 Dirt Dawgs[[TM]] particulate respirators from Moldex feature a Dura-Mesh[R] shell that resists collapsing in heat and humidity and a molded nose bridge that seals easily without a metal nose band. Softspun[R] lining gives increased...

CBRN facepiece.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... Circle 265 Scott's new M120 CBRN facepiece, when used with the Scott CBRN canister, protects first responders in CBRN environments. The air-purifying respirator can also be used with Scott's 40mm cartridges for "everyday" work...

Safety eyewear.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... Circle 264 The Protege[TM] is a new line of safety eyewear from Uvex offering workers lightweight comfort and sports styling while providing wrap-around protection. Weighing less than one ounce, the eyewear features Uvex's proprietary...

Radiation detection.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... Circle 266 GammaRAE II from RAE Systems is a personal radiation detector (PRD) that is certified as intrinsically safe, making it ideal for use in hazardous environments. The rugged device detects gamma radiation at extremely low levels...

Digital Megohmmeter.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... Circle 267 Extech's new 380260 Autoranging Digital Megohmmeter is a 1000V digital tester with an easy-to-read large dual backlit display. The unit features insulation resistance to 2000 M[OMEGA] as well as a low resistance function with...

Fixed gas detector.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... Circle 268 Honeywell Analytics' new Signalpoint Plus is a rugged, cost-effective fixed toxic and oxygen gas detector designed for use in tough environments. With an extremely wide temperature range, the IP66 rated device can be used in...

Respirator fit tester.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... Circle 269 TSI's PORTACOUNT[R] Plus enables easy, reliable fit testing for tight-fitting respirators. Utilizing convenient FitPlus[TM] quantitative fit testing software, PORTACOUNT makes a direct measurement of respirator fit factors. There are...

Rugged SCBA.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2006... Circle 270 Rugged and durable, the SURVIVAIR Panther SCBA features a wired Heads-Up Display (HUD) and Rapid Intervention Crew/ Company Universal Air Connection (RIC UAC). Ideal for responders, the self-contained breathing apparatus is available...

Encon Safety Products.(MOVES)
May 1, 2006... Encon Safety Products has named Jeffrey Felker as its new national sales manager. He will be responsible for Encon's industrial and commercial sales team in the United States and Canada.

SAS Safety Corp.(MOVES)
May 1, 2006... SAS Safety Corp., a manufacturer of a wide range of safety products including PPE, has promoted Ken Watson to president and Steve Duff to vice president of sales.

HexArmor[R].(MOVES)
May 1, 2006... HexArmor[R], a manufacturer of cut, puncture, needlestick and abrasion resistant gloves, arm guards and aprons, has hired 19-year safety industry veteran Mike Gompers, QSSP, to manage the Eastern U.S. territory and assist with product...

Haws Corp.(MOVES)
May 1, 2006... Haws Corp. recently named Robert M. Hanby as the company's market development manager.

Gateway Safety, Inc.(MOVES)
May 1, 2006... Gateway Safety, Inc.'s former president Kenneth Love will assume the position of chairman of the company, and Michael Love replaces Mr. Love as president and CEO. Matthew Love has been appointed vice president of sales and marketing.

American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).(ASSOCIATIONS)
May 1, 2006... The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) has elected new officers to serve on its Board of Directors: Donald S. Jones Sr., P.E., CSP, MBA, of Dow Chemical Co.'s Global EHS Regulatory Affairs Center, will serve as ASSE President for the...

Survivair[R] Respirators, Inc.(online respirator medical evaluation and tracking system)(www.survivair.com/oshamedcert)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Survivair[R] Respirators, Inc., part of Bacou-Dalloz, has partnered with OSHAMedCert[TM] to offer a fully Web-based online respirator medical evaluation and tracking system. Through the site. www.survivair.com/oshamedcert, users can receive...

Bausch & Lomb.(AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... Bausch & Lomb received the International Association of Hazardous Materials Technicians Hazardous Materials Response Product of the Year award for 2005 with its new FogShield XP[TM] pre-moistened tissues.

Events.(Calendar)
May 1, 2006... june 2006 NFPA World Safety Conference & Exposition, June 4-8, Orlando, FL, National Fire Protection Association, 1-888-397-6209, www.nfpa.org ASSE Continuing Education--Math Review, ASP Workshop, CSP Workshop, Safety Management I,...

Know your operating environment: assess your culture before structuring your programs.(Column)
May 1, 2006... Last month in this column I discussed five lectors that determine how much effort employees will put into safety (or any part of their jobs): 1) their opinion of the value of the rewards: 2) the connection they see between their effort and...