Industrial Safety & Hygiene News articles from September 2003

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News archives from September 2003

Charting your course: 25 keys to safety success: advice from Dan Petersen, Peter Sandman & John Henshaw.
September 1, 2003... Call them the wise guys. Respected experts. Passionate about protecting people on the job--and about helping you succeed in safety. Dan Petersen has worked as a safety executive and consultant since the 1950s, authored 18 books, and offers...

Nag, momma, nag: how safety pros fall into the parent trap.(Editorial comments)(Editorial)
September 1, 2003... Peter Sandman, perhaps the world's most renown risk communicator knows something about how to communicate risks to teenagers. It may be his greatest feat. He tells this story: "When my eldest daughter had just gotten her driver's license,...

Terror attacks.(Question & Answers)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Q How likely do you think it really is that industrial facilities in the U.S. will be attacked by terrorists ? A It will happen... when and where is the question. Key industries are vulnerable. As time passes, our culture dictates that we...

Congress moves on OSHA issues.(rules and Regs)
September 1, 2003... The House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections has passed three amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act on three party-line votes, with all the Republicans on the committee voting in favor of the amendments and all the Democrats...

Washington state ergo law under fire again.(rules and Regs)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... In the latest move by opponents of Washington state's ergonomics rule, a citizens' initiative that would repeal the regs has garnered more than 260,000 signatures, many collected in a campaign by the Building Industry Association of Washington....

OSHA pressed to scrutinize MSDSs.(rules and Regs material safety data sheets )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) has written to OSHA administrator John Henshaw expressing his concern about risks posed by inaccurate or incomplete material safety data sheets (MSDS). OSHA must play a critical role in evaluating and increasing...

New York smoking restrictions go into effect.(rules and Regs)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... A new law in New York prohibits smoking in all places of employment and commerce, including offices, bars, restaurants, public transportation, taxis and indoor arenas. Days before the law went into effect, the Empire State Restaurant and...

Are VPP qualifications too unpredictable?(rules and regs Voluntary Protection Programs )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... A proposed revision to OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) would change the benchmark injury and illness rates used to determine if VPP applicants and participants meet the rate requirements for the VPP Star Program. This change would...

OSHA and Johnson & Johnson sign ergo agreement.(Rules & Regs)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... OSHA and Johnson & Johnson have signed an agreement to help develop and identify best practices to reduce ergonomics injuries in the workplace. The three-year partnership will provide OSHA with first-hand knowledge of Johnson & Johnson's...

New ANSI ventilation standard released.(Rules & Regs American Industrial Hygiene Association)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), secretariat for ANSI Accredited Standards Committee Z9 on Health and Safety Standards for Ventilation Systems, has released ANSI/AIHA Z9.5-2003, American National Standard: Laboratory...

OSHA inks two more alliances.(Rules & Regs)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) has signed an alliance with OSHA geared to increase overall safety awareness in the lumber and building materials industry. Two specific objectives of the alliance are to...

Toxic releases for 2001 documented by EPA.(news Scan)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Releases into the environment of about 650 toxic chemicals from nearly 25,000 industrial facilities decreased by 1.05 billion pounds, or 15.5 percent, during 2001, according to EPA's recently released Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data for...

Do you know the law?(news Scan)
September 1, 2003... The American Society of Safety Engineers is sponsoring "The Law Symposium" for safety, health and the environment, November 20-21, 2003, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Learn how to reduce the risk of exposure to liability. To meet this...

Bad bosses can get blood boiling.(news Scan)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Unfair and unreasonable bosses can increase their employees' blood pressure and raise the risk of a heart attack or stroke, British doctors say. A study by researchers at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College in England found that...

Study reveals hidden costs of shiftwork.(news Scan)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Company bottom lines will bleed more as extended-hours operations become more prevalent, predicts a new study by Circadian Technologies, Inc. Approximately 24 million Americans--half working in professional or white-collar occupations...

Workplace assaults: who's at risk?(study)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... With the threat of workplace violence high on employers' minds after a worker's killing spree in early July left six Lockheed Martin employees dead in a Meridian, Miss. plant, new research shows that half of all workplace assaults in West...

Combustible dust hazards: worry Feds.(news Scan)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Federal investigators explosion that fatally injured seven workers in Kentucky earlier this year was probably caused by a fire in a mal-functioning production line oven that ignited flammable dust particles. Dr. Jerry Poje, a member of the...

Flexible schedules lessen fatigue, says study.(News Scan)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Schedule-related fatigue can be minimized if you address physiological constraints such as maintaining a slower speed of schedule rotation and incorporate work demand predictions (analyzing historical rates of production and service), according...

Conviction bests compliance: as corporate value, says report.(News Scan)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... In a report on corporate social responsibility (CSR) that has applications for workplace safety, a British think tank says more companies rush to implement cookie-cutter compliance programs to meet outside pressures, instead of building...

More violence at work: Texan kills two before shooting self.(News Scan)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... A man described by coworkers as a "wonderful" person to work with walked into his Century 21 real estate office in San Antonio on July 23 and shot three women, killing two and critically wounding another, according to The Associated Press. ...

Values must be more than lip service, say employees.(News Scan)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Want your work culture to deliver better bottom line results? British researchers recommend implementing five key characteristics identified by employees in a recent survey: 1)Treat individuals fairly; 2) respond to changing needs of employees...

Plotting your career amid today's chaos: pardon the interruption ...
September 1, 2003... Have you been experiencing what economists call a "state of disequilibrium" lately? Feeling spooked by the endless rounds of layoffs? Join the club. Everyone is having trouble understanding an economy that supposedly is on the road to...

Are we having fun yet? Putting positive vibes into preventing injuries.(Psychology of safety)
September 1, 2003... Visit the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle and you'll immediately understand the "Fish" philosophy. You'll see fish flying through the air between pairs of fishmongers, especially skilled at throwing and catching fish in creative ways....

Selecting a Hazwoper trainer: how do your candidates rate?(Managing Best practices)
September 1, 2003... Hazardous waste operations and emergency response (Hazwoper) training under OSI1A 1910.120 is the most demanding of all environmental health and safety topics. But here's the rub: Most EHS pros recognize that almost anyone can conduct--and...

When a heart stops beating: an AED can make all the difference.(automatic external defibrillators )
September 1, 2003... As much as I would like to force my own opinion of the worth of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) onto yon, I'll let you decide for yourself. All I ask is that you bear with me through this true story, then ask yourself whether AEDs are...

Dispelling common MSDS myths: some simple truths about compliance may surprise you.(material safety data sheet)
September 1, 2003... OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is designed to be a "performance standard," meaning that it's requirements allow companies a certain degree of flexibility in applying the standard to their particular workplace. While this flexibility...

Electronic MSDS: do you still need a paper trail?(material safety data sheets)
September 1, 2003... A printing company in Maryland recently purchased a fax-on-demand service for retrieving material safety data sheets (MSDS). The phones on the shop floor were all labeled with the 800 number for contacting the service. All the employee had to...

MSDS compliance.(material safety data sheets)
September 1, 2003... 1 EHS SOFTWARE CIRCLE 290 ImageWave's EHS Enterprise[R] Software Solutions provides MSDS management (MSDSFinder[R]), environmental reporting (including SARA 313 and TIER II), container labeling, MSDS scanning/updating, and more. The...

Sure footing: a protective footwear plan is essential to your PPE program.
September 1, 2003... When I was a young boy my mother would tell me about the time her foot was run over by a lift truck. She was working in a steel mill operating controls that would require her to stand in one area. A lift truck swung into her workstation and ran...

OSHA foot protection citations: what you should know about.
September 1, 2003... OSHA general industry standards that broadly I deal with personal protective equipment can be found under 29 CFR 1910.132-138. 1910.136 specifically addresses foot protection, and portions of the more general 1910.132 are also applicable to...

Protective footwear.(Product Update)
September 1, 2003... 1 SLIP-RESISTANT SOLES CIRCLE 297 WORX[TM] By Red Wing's new Super Slip Resistant Tread Sole (SSRT) provides workers in uniform occupations the comfort of regular footwear while protecting them from slips and falls. Lightweight cement...

Take action to prevent hearing loss before it starts.
September 1, 2003... On the job, our ability to hear is critical. It allows us to communicate with coworkers, take instructions and recognize warnings. Unfortunately, the work environment can pose a potential hazard to our hearing. Hearing loss significantly...

Hazmat, safety: developing an action plan for protection.
September 1, 2003... Are you exposed to "hazardous materials?" Do you know what to do, or more importantly, what not to do, if you come in contact with a spill or unplanned release of a hazmat? Numerous federal and state agencies define hazardous materials...

Trial by the fire: how to pass the leadership test.(Thriving & Surviving)
September 1, 2003... These are times of extreme economic, social and political uncertainty--even threat. The good news: Corporate America is coming around in many ways to acknowledge the importance of safety to control losses, boost involvement and enlist morale....

Living lean: how to do more with less.(Thriving & Surviving)
September 1, 2003... In today's dynamic market climate, there is one sure bet: Business will continue to respond to competitive pressure to perform efficiently. The concepts of lean thinking are here to stay. Safety, like all business functions, must respond to the...

Bottoms up! How to build programs that employees embrace.
September 1, 2003... How to get operating locations to embrace a new EHS program that the corporate office developed is a challenge lot many of you. Traditionally, a top-down knowledge approach is used. The result? Corporations spend millions of dollars developing...

Direct access: how to make sure problems get fixed.
September 1, 2003... It's not uncommon for employees to protect their status by screening or withholding information that might reflect badly on them if revealed to management. Withholding information could have major consequences when it comes to safety. The...

Wake up to the reality of stress.
September 1, 2003... In our work over the past 20 years with numerous companies and their safety and management personnel, the role of stress in incidents has either been unknown or downplayed. In 1983, when we first entered the field of safety, we conducted...

7 secrets to a successful safety incentive program.
September 1, 2003... You've read about how the right safety incentive program can dramatically change your employees' behavior, and how it can significantly reduce the number and severity of incidents. You've heard the success stories from factories and service...

Summer slayings raise red flags: is the risk of job violence on your radar screen?
September 1, 2003... A 25-year-old worker put on probation at Modine Manufacturing Corp. in Missouri brings a .40-caliber handgun to work on July 2 and proceeds to kill three people and injure five others before taking his own life. Six days later, a...

Is OSHA too customer friendly? Consultant and training group cry unfair competition.
September 1, 2003... A press release from OSHA's Region I headquarters in Boston sent out in July was the final straw for Dick Hughes, owner of the Excellence in Safety consulting service in Falmouth, Mass. OSHA and the Construction Safety Roundtable of Eastern...

Ten tips for managing OSHA recordables.
September 1, 2003... The new OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping rule (29 CFR 1904) has been in effect since January 1, 2002, and there have been substantial changes from the former OSHA recordkeeping rule. Some of those changes will cause you to have more OSHA...

Beating the heat: keys to evaluating jobs for heat stress.
September 1, 2003... Quantifying heat stress is a task many industrial hygiene and safety professionals seem to want to avoid. This may be because there is no specific OSHA regulation governing allowable exposures and because several components of an evaluation are...

National safety congress & expo.(NSC preview: September 8-10, Chicago)
September 1, 2003... 1 PRESCRIPTION EYEWEAR CIRCLE 303 Titmus has introduced the new EX274 to its Exclusive Collection of prescription protective eyewear. Featuring a modified oval shape, the EX274 combines a metal front and contoured plastic temples and offers...

Gravity-fed eyewash.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 310 The On-Site portable, gravity-fed eyewash from Bradley is a self-contained unit ideal for use where a plumbed water supply is not available. The ANSI compliant, high-visibility unit features a transparent tank that allows...

Guard rail system.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 314 RAILGUARD 200[TM] from Garlock sets up in minutes without the need for drilling holes and without tools. Ideal for use on loading docks. mezzanines and roof edges, the portable system meets or exceeds all OSHA requirements for...

Cool packs.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 312 Reduce heat stress and improve productivity with Bullard Isotherm[R] technology. Isotherm helps reduce heat related illnesses. The cool packs within the vest can be recharged thousands of times, providing hours of safe,...

Stylish safety eyewear.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 313 Summit II safety glasses from Elvex combine fashion with extreme coverage to please workers while satisfying safety requirements. Double Aspherical lens provides additional space between the glasses and face, without...

Safety label maker.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 311 Brady's new GlobalMark Industrial Label Maker produces full-color, industrial-grade signs, labels and tags on-site, in minutes. Safety signs and warnings can be made on the spot. The unit is easy to operate utilizing on-screen...

Shipping software.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 315 Masterform software by Labelmaster[R] reduces time spent on completing shipping forms, helps ensure compliance, reduces errors and provides the most current regulatory updates. The user-friendly software stores shipping...

Emergency oxygen.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 316 For industrial and office workplace first-aid programs, LIFE [R] OxygenPac is an easy-to-use solution for giving someone crucial life-saving oxygen until medical help arrives. The portable unit, which comes in a clear case that...

Dust-free power tools.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 320 Nilfisk-Advance America offers a complete line of power tools designed for dust-free operation in industrial and manufacturing applications, When integrated with the company's vacuum cleaners, the power tools efficiently perform...

Escape hood.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 317 MSA's Response[TM] Escape Hood is ideal for use when escaping from chemical, biological or riot-control agents. The easy-to-don hood gives workers head and neck coverage, good visibility and respiratory protection, featuring a...

Ergo carton grips.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 319 New LIFT MATES Carton Grips from Protectoseal can help reduce back injuries that may occur when lifting and carrying boxes. These unique, patented devices grip corrugated cardboard surfaces with a series of small pins placed at...

Lockout padlocks.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 318 Master Lock Xenoy plastic padlocks enable positive identification of the lock's owner. Self-adhesive integrated labels allow users to attach a small photo to the lock and enable new employees to be instantly issued padlocks....

Powder-free latex gloves.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 321 Powder-free latex Polymed[R]XP gloves deliver exceptional comfort and barrier protection. The gloves have a textured surface for excellent grip and tactile sensitivity. By using Polymed's special fusion bonding technique, they...

Plastic-coated lamps.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 322 Shat R-Shield T5 and T5 High Output (HO) shatterproof fluorescent lamps exceed the performance of T8 lamps in lumen maintenance and environmental impact, and their smaller size can increase optical control efficiency and...

Compact flashlight.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 323 Streamlight has introduced the Key-Mate[R], a lightweight, compact LED flashlight with an integrated keychain attachment. Equipped with reflector optics for enhanced brightness, Key-Mate employs four high-capacity alkaline...

Mat ramping system.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 324 The M.D. Ramp System[TM] from Superior is a simple multi-dimensional ramp system that uses very few parts, works like a picture frame and is constructed of Nitrile rubber for grease resistance. Each of the products that uses the...

Personal sampling pumps.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 325 TSI's SIDEPAK Personal Sampling Pumps are designed for workplace exposure monitoring. Available in four models, SIDEPAK offers a high-performance Smart Battery Management System that provides precise run-time information in...

Safety readers glasses.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 328 Olympic Optical's new Remington Safari[TM] industrial safety eyewear provides a styling break-through in safety glasses. Safari is now available with magnifying reader inserts of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 powers, available in both clear...

Mechanics gloves.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 327 Majestic introduces three new "mechanics" style gloves, all with tough synthetic leather (Clarino) palms, stretch elastic backs and velcro wrist closures. Model 2157AVG offers padded 3M Greptile fabric in the palm area for...

Protective sleeves.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 326 Warwick Mills' new TurtleSkin Sleeve protects workers' forearms and wrists from punctures, cuts and abrasions. TurtleSkin is a protective fabric that has received the patent for the tightest weave ever achieved in an aramid...

Reusable earplug.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 330 The new Howard Leight SmartFit[TM] reusable earplug uses Conforming Material Technology[TM] to adapt its original form to the unique shape of the individual's ear for exceptional comfort and a custom-like fit with an...

Assembly glove.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 329 The new 380 PURE FIT[TM] style from Perfect Fit provides the dexterity, grip and protection against abrasion and light punctures needed for assembly, general-use and light industrial applications. The black nitrile coating on...

Half-facepiece respirator.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 332 The 7500 Series Ultimate Reusable half-facepiece respirators from 3M feature the Cool Flow[TM] Exhalation Valve for easy breathing and reduced moisture buildup in the facepiece. Advanced silicone material provides a softer feel...

Lanyard for tie-back.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 334 The WrapBax[TM] lanyard from DBI/Sala is specifically designed for tie-back use, eliminating the need for time-consuming anchor straps. WrapBax features easy-to-use hook action found on all DBI patented snap hooks, and...

Vinyl gloves.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 333 Dura-Touch[TM] SS gloves from Ansell offer latex comfort without the risk of latex allergies while enhancing dexterity. The soft stretch vinyl gloves have a pinhole specification that exceeds exam-grade gloves and provides high...

Particulate respirator.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 331 The EZ-ON respirator from Moldex-Metric uses just one strap to hold it comfortably to the face, making it easy to don. The single cloth strap with FLEXWING[TM] and head harness provides a secure fit. Naturally contoured...

Gas monitoring.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 335 The Impulse XT one button disposable gas monitor from Zellweger is designed to be simple, durable, tough and an excellent value, utilizing patented Surecell[TM] and Reflex technology to give users 24/7 protection. The unit...

Sporty eyewear.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 341 Chase Ergonomics has launched a new line of Body Glove Safety[TM] products with safety eyewear in four lens and frame color combinations. The OSHA-approved eyewear meets ANSI Z87.l 1989 and provides 100 percent protection from...

Knit work gloves.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 337 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 more economical yam, while the...

Mobile anchorage.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 342 The new Mobile Anchorage Trolley from Flexible Lifeline is designed specifically for multi-span overhead flexible lifeline systems. By incorporating larger wheels and a new intermediate design, the new overhead system provides...

Protective eyewear.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 339 NASCAR[R] GT protective eyewear from Encon combines aesthetics, comfort and superior protection for a stylish eye safety solution. Featuring a one-piece wrap-around design, a colorful NASCAR temple logo and ultra-soft temple...

Protective apparel.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 336 Protective gloves and apparel featuring DuPont[TM] KEVLAR[R] brand fiber offer exceptional cut protection and them]al performance. KEVLAR Comfort provides enhanced touch and feel for intricate jobs; KEVLAR Armor gives the wearer...

Docking station.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 340 Industrial Scientific's DS2 Docking Station offers improved automated calibration, maintenance and recordkeeping. Two-way communication is provided through a Docking Station Server that manages up to 100 instrument docking...

FR fabrics.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2003... Circle 338 Westex's INDURA[R] Ultra Soft[R] flame-resistant fabrics are a blend of 88 percent cotton and 12 percent high-tenacity nylon, offering soft comfort while increasing abrasion resistance. The abrasion resistance of the product's...

Multigas monitor.(product News)
September 1, 2003... Circle 85 The SCOUT[R] Multigas Personal Monitor is ergonomically designed to act as an engineered housing that optimizes its speed of response to a hazardous gas. Features include no internal tubing, a wind-tested sensor port, and...

Hand protection.(product News)
September 1, 2003... Circle 86 Grasp Hand Protection Report from Marigold provides detailed information about hands and skin and how to protect them, as well as data on chemical and physical hand hazards and the injuries they can cause. The report tells how to...

Smoke tube kit.(product News)
September 1, 2003... Circle 88 Nextteq's Gastec 9500 Smoke Tube Kit, also known as the Air Flow Indicator Kit, is designed to visually determine the directional pattern and velocity of air currents. Inexpensive and easy to use, these tubes provide a highly...

Carbon monoxide monitor.(product News)
September 1, 2003... Circle 87 The new Draeger microPac Plus carbon monoxide monitor is an ultra-compact gas measuring and warning device for CO in the 0-1,000 parts per million range. Able to fit in a shirt pocket or on a belt, the lightweight, low-profile,...

Mobile cooling unit.(product News)
September 1, 2003... Circle 89 Cool Zone's new Work Zone[R] trailer is a mobile and fully self-contained air-aspirated togging system designed for hard-to-cool and environmentally compromised industrial and commercial applications. The free-standing cooling...

Anchorage connectors.(product News)
September 1, 2003... Circle 90 Miller's Grip Anchorage Connectors offer portable, reusable anchor points for use in both fall and non-fall protection applications. The color-coded fall protection connectors provide safe anchor points once inserted into a...

String knit gloves.(product News)
September 1, 2003... Circle 93 Memphis Glove's string knit series includes DuraTherm, a heavyweight shell, latex dipped glove. DuraTherm features a heavy napped acrylic, cotton, polyester shell and a special textured palm to enhance wet-grip applications. A...