Industrial Safety & Hygiene News articles from November 2006

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News archives from November 2006

Responders need certified PPE: guarding those who rescue.(Personal Protective Equipment norms)
November 1, 2006... When accidents or emergencies occur, isn't it reassuring to know there are people who are willing to help? EMTs, firemen, police officers and many others devote their time to ensure the well-being of others. But who keeps these emergency...

The rest is up to you: sleep deficits are serious safety risks.(EDITORIAL comments)
November 1, 2006... America runs on Dunkin'," goes the slogan for Dunkin' Donuts. And much of business runs on too little sleep. The same could be said of many safety and health managers. According to ISHN's 23rd annual White Paper reader survey (see page...

6.2 million.(news scan)(car accidents)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... According to the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), most of the nearly 6.2 million police-reported motor vehicle crashes that occurred last year were preventable. Moreover, many of these incidents involved employees driving for...

Homicide leading cause of death on the job for foreign-born workers.(news scan)
November 1, 2006... The number one cause of death on the job for foreign-born workers is homicide, and most victims are clerks at gasoline stations and food stores as well as cab drivers, according to a recent report by the Chicago Tribune. A Tribune analysis...

Injuries to working teens: a major cause for concern, research shows.(news scan)(Survey)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... New research shows that teenagers who work are more likely to be injured on the job than adults, and these injuries are a significant public health concern, according to Health Behavior News Service. Each year in the United States, about 70...

Construction safety standard focuses on lockout/tagout.(news scan)(American Society of Safety Engineers releases standard for Construction and Demolition Operations)(American National Standard Institute A10.44-2006 standard)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) in September released a revised American National Standard Institute (ANSI) A10.44-2006 standard, Control of Energy Sources (Lockout/Tagout) for Construction and Demolition Operations. The...

Two workers commit suicide after explosion.(SAGO MINE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Two miners involved in a West Virginia mine blast have since committed suicide, the Associated Press reported. The two men, John Nelson Boni, a fireboss, and William Lee Chisolm, a dispatcher, were questioned by investigators in the aftermath...

Younger workers tune in to tunes.(news scan)
November 1, 2006... A new study found that younger workers are more likely to don headphones while sitting in their offices than their older counterparts, reported the Register-Guard (Eugene, Ore.). Nearly half of adults ages 25 to 29 said they listen to their...

Hurricane Rita no excuse for safety violations, says court ruling.(rules & REGS)
November 1, 2006... The owner of a bus that exploded and killed 23 people during the Hurricane Rita evacuation was acquitted of one safety violation charge but was convicted on two lesser counts. James Maples, a former player for the NFL's Baltimore Colts,...

OSHA jolts electronic product manufacturer with $315,000 in fines.(rules & REGS)
November 1, 2006... Exposures to electrocution hazards and dangerously high noise levels were among the 40 alleged violations of safety and health standards for which a manufacturer of electronic products was cited by OSHA. Wiremold Co. now faces $315,000 in fines...

OSHA: safety makes business "cents".(rules & REGS)
November 1, 2006... OSHA has launched a new topics page on its Web site aimed at demonstrating that investment in workplace safety and health makes good business sense. Making the Business Case for Safety and Health, a new Safety and Health Topic, is a product of...

Act may grant reprieve from first-time reporting offenses.(rules & REGS)(House Resolution 5242, the Small Business Paperwork Amnesty Act)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... House Resolution 5242, the Small Business Paperwork Amnesty Act, was recently revived in Congress. The bill, which would provide amnesty for businesses making their first reporting mistake, could have far-reaching effects for any number of...

Hex chrome guidance available for small businesses.(rules & REGS)
November 1, 2006... OSHA has issued safety and health guidance to help small businesses comply with the agency's new hexavalent chromium, or Cr(VI), requirements for general industry, construction and shipyards. The guide is divided into sections that address...

AT&T charged in electrocution death.(rules & REGS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Telecommunications giant AT&T Inc. faces criminal charges related to the death of a California man who was electrocuted last year while installing a phone line, the San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Tribune reported. The company pleaded not guilty...

ISHN's 23rd annual White Paper survey.(STATE OF THE EHS NATION)(Environmental Health and Safety)(Industrial Safety and Hygiene News)(Statistical table)(Survey)
November 1, 2006... In September, we mailed a two-page questionnaire to 2,000 subscribers. From a usable base of 1,978, 471 subscribers responded for a 24-percent response rate. Survey designed and tabulated by Clear Seas Research. Multi-site oversight ...

How cultures can influence safety: informal observations of Yanks and Aussies.(PSYCHOLOGY of safety)
November 1, 2006... This past September I enjoyed my fourth business trip to Australia, appreciating another opportunity to teach Aussies the principles and procedures of People-Based Safety (PBS). I've written previously in this column (February 2003) about the...

When emergencies strike ... what safety rules might bite the dust?(MANAGING BEST practices)(business continuity plan)
November 1, 2006... Action plans, response plans, contingency plans--all of these plans do the same thing: spell out how a business will provide an uninterrupted flow of products or services during an emergency. In days past, businesses used to claim "force...

Fact or fiction? How much do you really know about noise-induced hearing loss?(HEARING CONSERVATION QUIZ)
November 1, 2006... So you think there's nothing new to learn about using hearing protectors? After all, hazardous noise has been around for a long time; you've heard it all before, right? Well, let's check your hearing conservation know-how with this quick "true/...

Work alone--but never be alone: personal safety systems keep "lone workers" connected in case of emergency.
November 1, 2006... In today's technology-laden world, the need for workers to immediately respond to problems or complex issues is in greater demand than ever. This often means people are putting in longer or varied work shifts outside of normal business hours....

Gas monitoring: let's get beyond compliance and utilize best practices to save lives.
November 1, 2006... Six years ago I penned an article discussing the benefits of fitting best work practices vs. pure regulatory compliance into gas monitoring processes. I discussed the benefits of going beyond simply what is required and taking the steps...

Small containers, big hazards: no matter the size of your business, don't overlook the dangers of common chemicals.
November 1, 2006... When most people think of workplaces that house hazardous materials, they are likely to list factories, refineries, nuclear plants and similar industrial settings. But even a small office, shop or other work facility might stock potentially...

Innovation & change in flame-resistant garments.(PPE R&D)(research and development on Personal Protective Equipment)
November 1, 2006... While many embrace change, there are some for whom change is difficult. There is a certain comfort in the phrase "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." This can be especially true in PPE categories--where change often involves products that...

Worth reading.(PPE R&D)
November 1, 2006... Books, articles, speeches and Web postings relating to current trends described in ISHN's 23rd annual White Paper survey (see page 12). * "The World is Flat," Thomas Friedman, Farrar, Strauss, Giroux, 2006 * "The Mega Community...

Industrial footwear.(PRODUCT UPDATE)
November 1, 2006... 1 STEEL-TOE WORK BOOT CIRCLE 260 Radians offers the DEWALT Foundation II heavy-duty 6-in. steel-toe work boot, featuring ToughTech[TM] Comfort System. Lightweight injection-molded construction provides three added comfort layers: a...

First responder safety: have your crew prepared & ready to roll.
November 1, 2006... Everyone goes home in the same condition as when they responded. That's the goal of first responder safety. It is a simple goal. Based upon results, though, it is not always easy to achieve. Whether you work with responders who only use...

Management: are you a successful coach or just a traditional boss?(training STRATEGIES)
November 1, 2006... Business management theories have been evolving over the past several years to support a new way of conducting business. Quite often we interface with multiple organizations, suppliers or customers to implement a new safety regulation, produce...

RFID technology: an innovative tool for managing your fall protection equipment.(radio-frequency identification technology)
November 1, 2006... Technology is impacting our lives and our jobs at almost every turn. Now, new technology developments are bringing even the fall protection product category into the information age, helping safety professionals more effectively manage their...

The strongest motivation: leadership from the heart.(incentives & RECOGNITION)
November 1, 2006... "Joe, got a minute?" "Sure, what do you need, Willie?" "I really don't want to fill out this safety card." "Let me see what you got," replied Joe. "Ah, this is the new scorecard, our 'Champions for Safety.' You should fill it...

LED exit signs.(safety lighting)
November 1, 2006... 1 LED EXIT SIGNS CIRCLE 252 The new Pinnacle Series LED Exit Signs from Mule Lighting combine appealing design with high performance electronics and the latest in aluminum die-casting technology to provide years of reliable operation. Wet...

HID TYPE O lamps.(safety lighting)
November 1, 2006... 2 HID TYPE O LAMPS CIRCLE 254 New safety lighting from Shat-R-Shield includes plastic-coated MP HID Type O lamps. The high-intensity discharge lamps eliminate the need for costly enclosed fixtures, offering optimum protection via a shrouded...

Rotating flashlight.(safety lighting)
November 1, 2006... 3 ROTATING FLASHLIGHT CIRCLE 255 The Unilite Zoom work light from UK International features a 360-degree rotating lamp head that allows users to focus the light exactly where it is needed. Ideal for confined spaces and safety inspections,...

Photoluminescent lighting.(safety lighting)
November 1, 2006... 4 PHOTOLUMINESCENT LIGHTING CIRCLE 250 Acrilex's Acriglo Photoluminescent Series of acrylic sheets for lighting systems provides illumination without backup power sources during a power outage. Soft glow from a fixture with Acriglo...

UV germicidal lamps.(safety lighting)
November 1, 2006... 5 UV GERMICIDAL LAMPS CIRCLE 251 Eleven new compact fluorescent and linear UV germicidal lamps from GE provide healthcare, government, aquatic and food industry end-users with a variety of energy-efficient, low-maintenance products for...

Incandescent task lights.(safety lighting)
November 1, 2006... 6 INCANDESCENT TASK LIGHTS CIRCLE 253 New incandescent task lights from Pelican Products include the M1 (3310) and M3 (3370). The flashlights feature a tail-cap switch for easy on/off, one-hand operation and are constructed of durable CNC...

6 keys to selecting the right respirator for the job.(proper way of selecting a flawless respiratory equipment)
November 1, 2006... OK, so you realize that respiratory protection is needed for a given job, but how do you know which respirator is correct? The following criteria will help when it comes to selecting the proper protection. 1 Inspect the facility for...

Using a sound level meter to measure gunshot noise.(choosing the proper sound level meter)
November 1, 2006... Use of a portable sound level meter (SLM) is often considered a relatively affordable means of accurately measuring the rapid change in sound pressure level that occurs when firing a gun. However, many SLMs do not have sufficient detection...

Staying on top of emergency equipment maintenance.
November 1, 2006... What keeps you up at night? For many business managers it's the possibility of having one of their employees injured on the job. Could there be anything worse? The answer is "yes," there sure could be. How about having an injured worker make a...

5 keys to evaluate signage needs: are risks as obvious as you think?(methods to improve safety at workplace)
November 1, 2006... Familiarity may breed contempt, but it also seems to breed invisibility when it comes to dangers and warnings. This begs the question: What percentage of the millions of work-related accidents and thousands of fatalities reported annually could...

Risk communication in the fog of disaster.(LESSONS FROM GROUND ZERO)(Editorial)
November 1, 2006... A violent explosion rips through your office complex. Multiple fires are burning. An ominous plume of heat, fire, dust, debris and an unknowable mixture of perhaps asbestos, silica, lead and other metals floats into the atmosphere. Winds push...

IAQ monitoring.(product NEWS)
November 1, 2006... The new Fluke 975 AirMeter[TM] test tool is a rugged handheld instrument designed for fast, easy indoor air quality monitoring and testing. The unit simultaneously measures, logs and displays temperature (wet bulb and dew point), humidity,...

Railing system.(product NEWS)
November 1, 2006... Offering OSHA-compliant fall protection, SpeedGuard from Garlock prevents falls off elevated flatbed trailers being loaded and unloaded. The patent-pending, fully contained turnkey system can be used on a variety of steel-bed and aluminum-bed...

Driver training.(product NEWS)
November 1, 2006... The Virtual Defensive Driver Course (Virtual DDC) is an interactive driver improvement course designed to address driving deficiencies. Developed by VDI and the National Safety Council, Virtual DDC allows employees to practice what is taught in...

ENC earmuffs.(product NEWS)
November 1, 2006... SONEX NoiseBuster Electronic Noise Canceling (ENC) Earmuffs provide passive hearing protection with advanced electronic noise cancellation technology. The earmuffs deliver noise reduction across full range of frequencies--up to 20 dB of...

Anti-vibration glove.(product NEWS)
November 1, 2006... Impacto has added new Air Gloves[TM] to its Anti-Vibration product line. Available in rubber or chemical-resistant Nitrile, coated Air Gloves feature patented Bubble Glove[TM] technology, which reduces vibration transmitted into the hands....

Leak detector.(product NEWS)
November 1, 2006... Nova Systems' new BOLO[R] BLU is a portable, battery-operated, solid-state instrument for use in applications requiring detection of refrigerant leaks in compressor rack and field piping and valves. Utilizing advanced microprocessor control,...

Chums and Chisco.(BUSINESSES)(Chums Ltd.merges with Chisco Inc. )(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Chums and Chisco have announced a merger, forming the largest business entity in the accessory market, according to the new company. The new consolidated firm will be headquartered at Chisco's current Salt Lake City, Utah, facility; all...

Scientific Technologies Inc., a provider of automation safeguarding products, has completed its merger with a subsidiary of Japan-based Omron Corp.(BUSINESSES)
November 1, 2006... Scientific Technologies Inc., a provider of automation safeguarding products, has completed its merger with a subsidiary of Japan-based Omron Corp. As a result of the merger and related transactions, Omron acquired STI's Safety Products Group...

Quest Technologies Inc.(MOVES)(Quest Technologies Inc. promotes Gerry Fleisher and appoints Amy Hayden)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Quest Technologies Inc., a leading manufacturer of industrial hygiene, occupational safety and environmental instrumentation, has promoted Gerry Fleisher to director, North American Sales, in addition to his responsibilities as manager, Global...

Sempermed USA Inc.(MOVES)
November 1, 2006... Sempermed USA Inc. has appointed Adam Marlatt as director of sales--Occupational Health Division. Marlatt will have full responsibility for business development, sales team management and building company market share with the division.

3E Company's.(MOVES)
November 1, 2006... Dr. Ivana Markovic, an internationally renowned environmental, health and safety (EHS) scientist and lecturer, has joined 3E Company's Advisory Board. 3E is a leading provider of EHS compliance and information management services.

NSF International Strategic Registrations Ltd.(MOVES)
November 1, 2006... Mike Chaudron has been named national sales manager for NSF International Strategic Registrations Ltd. (NSF-ISR), an NSF International Company, which provides management system registrations worldwide. NSF International, an independent,...

The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Inc.(ASSOCIATIONS)
November 1, 2006... The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Inc. (AAOHN) and the American Red Cross entered into a collaborative relationship last month that allows the two organizations to share expertise and recruit nurses nationwide to assist the...

January.(events)
November 1, 2006... SeminarFest 2007, Jan. 21-27, 2007, Las Vegas, NV, American Society of Safety Engineers, (847) 699-2929, www.asse.org

Guts, vision & a story to tell: Dr. John Howard's lessons in leadership.
November 1, 2006... Business is resting easy in the post-regulatory era. Unions are just trying to survive. OSHA standards-setting? "Fuggetaboutit." And the EHS profession, broadly defined, "is focused on (some would say obsessed with) just retaining some...