Industrial Safety & Hygiene News articles from September 2004

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News archives from September 2004

12 building blocks for world-class safety.
September 1, 2004... How do you build a world-class safety system? One that protects employees, provides a work climate of high satisfaction, and gives your company a competitive edge in the market through lower costs, higher quality, and higher production rates....

Swimming with the sharks: office politics? Jump in, the water's fine.(Editorial comments)(Environmental Health and Safety)(Editorial)
September 1, 2004... We recently asked about two dozen readers to give us questions for this year's White Paper survey on the state of the EHS nation. It's a pivotal time to ask what's going on. Many readers work in plants with below-average injury rates. Exposures...

The resistant manager.(Expert Advice)
September 1, 2004... Q I have a new boss who doesn't know anything about safety and isn't interested in learning. What can I do to keep our safety momentum going? A Chances are your boss is avoiding safety because he or she does not see any linkage between...

OSHA overhaul bill introduced.(rules & Regs)(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
September 1, 2004... U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., has introduced the new Safety Advancement for Employees (SAFE) Act of 2004. "I feel a responsibility to every worker and every worker's family to do all I can to prevent workplace accidents and deaths," Enzi...

OSHA details whistleblower protections.(rules & Regs)(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... OSHA's new "Whistleblower Program" Web page provides detailed information on the laws with whistleblower protections that are administered by OSHA. The page has direct links to the 14 laws with whistleblower protections administered by the...

Ergo advisory committee rides into sunset?(rules & Regs)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The National Advisory Committee on Ergonomics (NACE) is scheduled to conclude its efforts in November, unless it is renewed. Its fate is uncertain, according to an outlook by the American Industrial Hygiene Association. OSHA has issued...

OSHA reopens PPE rule.(rules & Regs)(Personal Protective Equipment)(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... OSHA's "Pay for PPE" rule, which has gone nowhere since 1998, was reopened for comments for a 45-day period in July and August. Originally thought to be a minor clarification of informal OSHA policy to require employers to pay for PPE,...

New construction crane standard draws closer.(rules & Regs)
September 1, 2004... OSHA's Crane and Derrick Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (CDAC) recently reached consensus on language for a revised crane and derrick standard for construction. The draft is making its way through the rulemaking process. Key provisions of...

Heart attack ruled work-related.(rules & Regs)(Extensive job stress leads to heart attack)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The New York State Workers' Compensation Board ruled recently that a fatal heart attack was work-related because the victim had been subjected to nearly four years of harassment by his employer and his employer's attorneys in connection with an...

Obesity claims to rise?(rules & Regs)(Risk factors of obesity)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The federal Medicare program has removed longstanding policy language that states categorically obesity is not a disease. This isn't the same as saying that obesity is a disease, but many fear that the altered language will open a floodgate of...

Union left out of steel industry alliance.(rules & Regs)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... United Steelworkers of America President Leo W. Gerard is put out--OSHA and several steel industry trade associations formed an alliance on safety without any union involvement. "OSHA and the industry both need help," Gerard said in a...

DuPont plant fights no-fine citation.(rules & Regs)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... OSHA recently cited a DuPont plant in Niagara Falls, N.Y., for failing to report an on-site injury last November, according to the Associated Press. OSHA said a worker at the plant received medical treatment and missed one month of work...

Employers show little concern about workplace violence.(news.scan)
September 1, 2004... What are companies and organizations doing these days about the problem of workplace violence? Not that much, according to a recent follow-up survey by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), which found that, surprisingly, employers...

What you can do to stem violence.(news.scan)(Instructions to curb workplace voilence)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Here's what employers can do to address workplace violence: * Officers and directors--Establish a workplace violence prevention policy; upper management must promote a clear antiviolence corporate policy; establish and maintain security...

Does your CEO "get it"?(news.scan)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Safety leadership starts with CEOs, said National Safety Council President Alan McMillan in a speech this summer at the National Press Club in Washington. McMillan now highlights what he calls "CEOs Who Get It"--corporate leaders who understand...

Britain issues guide on: incident investigation.(news.scan)
September 1, 2004... Britain's Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has published new guidance on how to investigate accidents and incidents, including near misses. The guide, which was prepared in consultation with industry, unions and health and safety...

Smokers still have a chance.(news.scan)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... At least half, and up to as many as two-thirds, of people who begin smoking in their youth are eventually killed by the habit, according to a 50-year medical study by British researchers. Researchers Richard Doll and Bradford Hill said...

Dow Chemical makes business case for safety.(Ergonomics)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Dow Chemical recently successfully addressed ergonomics hazards in the company's design and construction division. The Dow division reached its goal of reducing the reportable injury and illness rate by 90 percent--before the target date of...

Workplace shooting leaves six dead.(Ergonomics)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... A 21-year-old meatpacking plant worker who seemed to be easily bothered by teasing used two handguns to shoot seven coworkers, killing five of them, before killing himself in early July. Police said there appeared to be nothing random about...

Where your employee get health info.(news.scan)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... According to a survey by Hitwise, which monitors Internet use, 27 percent of Internet users clicked onto a health-related site in May, compared to 19 percent a year ago. The survey found that WebMd.com is the most popular site. Other sites...

New NIOSH DVD addresses workplace violence.(news.scan)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... A new training and educational DVD from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides employers, employees, safety professionals and others with recommendations and resources for preventing work-related homicides...

Hospital nurse dies of TB.(news.scan)(Tuberculosis)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Tuberculosis testing is being conducted in Norfolk, Va., for hundreds of people who may have been exposed to the disease by a hospital nurse who died of TB in June, the Associated Press reported. A federal health official called it shameful...

The "Nickel and Dimed" culture: how distrust de-motivates employees.(Psychology of safety)
September 1, 2004... I must walk through Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport 20 times a year. But I never noticed that booth vendors have no place to sit. That was before I read "Nickel and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich. Now I have a new appreciation for...

Contact lenses and chemicals: here's what current guidelines say about protection.(Managing Best Practices)
September 1, 2004... What calls should an EHS pro make on use of contacts? After all, advances in contact lenses--FDA approval for 30-day/night extended wear contacts, bifocals, etc.--are making contacts a growing choice among workers who require prescription...

Rock your world: radical organizational change is needed for safety excellence.
September 1, 2004... It's September, summer is fading and business is revving up for the year-end push. An uncomfortable chill sets into the souls of most managers. It has nothing to do with falling temperatures outside. No, it's the dreaded annual planning and...

Ten keys to the world-class kingdom.
September 1, 2004... In my experience, high-echelon safety organizations do most of the following: [1] Avoid the compliance trap. The best companies expect compliance as a matter of course. They know focusing on compliance tends to keep a company stuck in...

National Safety Congress & Expo: September 13-15, New Orleans.(NSC Preview)
September 1, 2004... 1 VOC DETECTION CIRCLE 271 The new ppbRAE Plus is capable of detecting VOCs in concentrations as low as 1 ppb, and leverages patented photoionization technology to offer an upper detection range from 200 ppm up to 2,000 ppm. Applications...

How to determine the right shoe for the job.(Footwear Selection)
September 1, 2004... Anyone working in an industrial environment knows that injuries to et can often be major, traumatic events. Using the wrong protective equipment or no protection at all can cause deadly electric shock, amputations or other serious,...

Protective footwear.(Product Update)
September 1, 2004... 1 KNEE BOOT DESIGN CIRCLE 254 Available from North Safety Products, the new Norcross 15-in. Servus[R] Puncture Resistant Midsole (PRM) boot provides protection from penetration by sharp objects underfoot. Featuring an ANSI-compliant steel...

Integrate AEDs into your worksite medical response team.(Every Minute Counts)
September 1, 2004... In recent years, companies and organizations have placed an ever-increasing emphasis on workplace wellness and injury prevention. Yet, despite aggressive employer-sponsored programs, workers' compensation and disability claims continue to rise....

AED to the rescue: how one company's program saved a life.(Every Minute Counts)
September 1, 2004... With virtually every person at risk for sudden cardiac arrest, the need for having an automated external defibrillator (AED) program is obvious. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has encouraged employers to take...

Signs & labels: a pivotal part of your safety program.
September 1, 2004... Safety professionals would agree that most, if not all, industrial and construction operations involve a level of risk. This is true even in the most ideal situations with proper engineering and administrative controls, personal protective...

MSDS compliance.(Product Update)
September 1, 2004... 1 MSDS TRAINING CIRCLE 259 Part of Keller's 7 Minute Solutions video series, Understanding the MSDS helps companies provide quick, easy training that can enable your employees to stay safe on the job. The fast-paced video provides an...

Young workers deserve a safe workplace; it's a shared responsibility.
September 1, 2004... Entering the workplace lot the first time is an exciting time for most employees, especially for teens. The prospect of earning an hourly wage can sometimes overshadow the nature of the work, the teen's ability to perform assigned tasks and the...

Almost everyone needs a working alone policy: what about you?
September 1, 2004... Do you have employees who work alone? Routinely? Periodically? Occasionally? You might have a late shift worker who runs the warehouse alone, or a maintenance worker who goes on the roof to repair an air conditioning unit alone, or a worker in...

7 steps to building "near-hit" reporting into your safety culture.
September 1, 2004... It was a normal day at the plant. A forklift driver was doing the job he had done for years, day in, day out... loading materials from the ground onto a flatbed. Just as he placed the last load, the forks still on the flatbed, the truck pulled...

Monday morning risk perceptions: how would your employees respond to a terrorist alert?
September 1, 2004... If your workplace was so dangerous you had to pass by concrete barriers, officers in Kevlar bulletproof vests with assault rifles, and reporters sticking microphones in your face to ask, "Are you afraid?" in order to reach your cubicle, would...

Safety smarts: try these ideas that work.
September 1, 2004... Keeping safety meetings on track To make monthly safety meetings more active and inclusive for attendees I often try to incorporate some type of interactive activity. The "Six Thinking Hats" is a technique I learned at a lecture given by...

Hearing protection.(Questions & Answers)
September 1, 2004... Q How do I motivate my employees to take our hearing conservation program seriously? They are accustomed to loud noise and do not see the risk. A The program will be successful only if it is voluntary. A successful hearing conservation...

New ergo issues: high-tech work tools prompt.
September 1, 2004... It wasn't too long ago that you needed to be in your office to receive calls and at your desk to do most of your work. Technology, however, is changing that, enabling us to do more in more places. Thanks to smaller and lighter tools such as...

Sizing up the solution: glove fit makes the difference for auto workers.
September 1, 2004... Best Manufacturing prides itself on providing solutions for its customers. So when the company tested a new glove that exceeded the technical requirements of one of the nation's leading automakers, they were puzzled when employees failed to...

Recommended reading.
September 1, 2004... After we published a list of our favorite titles in ISHN's July issue, readers responded with enough of their own favorites that we're pleased to present Recommended Reading Volume 2: A Job to Die For--Lisa Cullen, Common Courage Press,...

Time to strengthen your security: follow these 10 easy steps.
September 1, 2004... Eight out of ten businesses in the United States fall into the small- to medium-size category that seldom need high-tech security devices and services. You can boost security at these facilities by following ten simple guidelines: 1...

A terrible loss, never forgotten; I don't mind being a "nag"--I know what can happen.
September 1, 2004... If you're involved in your company's wellness clinics, pre-employment physicals or other health functions, make tetanus vaccination part of your package. Keep track of employee vaccinations and when the eight- to nine-year mark is on the...

When workers feel bulletproof ... try taking a soulful approach to safety.
September 1, 2004... This safety thing really makes me scratch my head. You would think that our workers would perform their jobs safely, one hundred percent of the time. Our workers are knowledgeable. They learn their job better now than any time in history. And...

Arc flash tests demonstrate electrical dangers ... and the value of flame-resistant clothing.
September 1, 2004... As safety seminars go, this one was a real blast. Quite literally. In May of this year, Cornerstone Safety Group conducted live NFPA 70E arc flash testing as part of its Electrical Safety/NFPA 70E Seminar. Held at KEMA Powertest Laboratory...

The serious business of storing hazmats: don't adopt an "out of sight, out of mind" attitude.
September 1, 2004... Last month, a fire in a storage trailer containing hazardous chemicals shut down a three-mile stretch of highway in Athens, Maine, as fire crews from four towns put out the blaze. The box trailer housed solvents, propane and other hazardous...

In search of discipline: is safety going soft?(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Describing how she brought her company's safety culture out of the Dark Ages, a safety manager sounded almost apologetic. "Guidelines and goals must be developed and enforced." Pause. "Yes, discipline." Discipline--it's a word you...

Breathing apparatus testing.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 276 A new microphone Sound Detection System (SDS) is now available from Biosystems as an option on PosiChek3[TM] computerized performance testers for air-supplied breathing apparatus. Designed to increase test precision by...

Retractable lanyard.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 278 The EZ Stop[R] Retrax[TM] from DBI/SALA & Protecta is a shock-absorbing lanyard that retracts automatically to fit the working area. A unique alternative to elasticized adjustable lanyards, EZ Stop Retrax retracts and expands...

Five-gas monitoring.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 277 The GasAlertMicro5 from BW Technologies is a rugged, water-resistant instrument capable of simultaneously monitoring up to five gases. Gases include combustible gases, H2S, CO, O2 and other toxic gases such as ammonia chlorine...

Wrap-around eyewear.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 279 Veratti[R] 2000 safety eyewear from Encon features wrap-around comfort, a sleek design and new temples to provide the maximum in fit and function. The protective glasses are made of flexible polycarbonate and come in many...

Tempered water systems.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 280 Tempered water systems from Haws supply stable tepid water to emergency equipment. These systems help facilities avoid the problem of evaporative cooling, which can lead to hypothermia in people using emergency showers and...

Protective clothing.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 282 Lakeland's new MicroMAX[R] NS general-purpose protective clothing is well suited for non-hazardous environments where dirt and grime are present and where splashes or spills may occur. The economical, lightweight garment...

Gas monitoring.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 281 A new training video for Industrial Scientific's M40 Multi-Gas Monitor is now available in English, Spanish and French in a Windows Media[R] formatted CD. The video CD (VCD) is being offered as a complement to the VHS version of...

Disposable respirators.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 283 N95 disposable respirators from Moldex come in various styles and feature the Dura-Mesh[R] shell, which provides exceptional filter media protection and resists collapsing, even in heat and humidity. Available with the...

Eyewear RX insert.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 284 North's N-Vision 5600 Series spectacle enables prescription lenses to be inserted on the nosepiece. The protective eyewear is designed with a choice of universal comfort bridge or the new Flexi-fit nosepiece. The RX insert...

Recoil LED flashlights.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 285 Pelican's SabreLite[TM] LED and M8 LED flashlights incorporate Recoil LED Technology to provide a beam free from scattered peripheral light. Able to cut through smoke, fog and dust, the flashlights have been demonstrated to...

Industrial boots.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 287 Dr. Martens offers the Style 7A459TE43, a 5 D-Ring 3 Lace Carrier Boot, also available in a 7-inch carrier boot, a pull-on rigger boot and an oxford. Key features of this style include water-resistant leathers, Sympatex...

Plug-in PID sensor.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 286 The Scout Multi-Gas personal monitor from Scott is now capable of detecting VOCs with its new plug-in PID sensor. The sensor uses patented technology to detect VOCs in concentrations down to 1 ppm and provides outstanding...

Respiratory protection.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 288 Willson's new line of SAF-T-FIT[R] PLUS disposable respirators feature a larger facepiece design for better comfort and fit; more durable materials; and a larger, redesigned optional exhalation valve. Models are available in all...

Bomber Jacket.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 290 Resistant to flame, water and wind, Workrite's breathable EPIC[R] Bomber Jacket is ideal for most weather conditions. Its patented technology enables perspiration vapor to escape while preventing wind and water from penetrating....

All-weather FR fabric.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 289 Westex's INDURA[R] Ultra Soft[R] flame-resistant fabric is available with EPIC[TM] by Nextec. The new "soft shell" cotton/high-tenacity nylon FR clothing material is water-resistant, breathable, washable and functional in...

Two-way radio headsets.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 300 PELTOR's integrated two-way radio headsets are available in three platforms--PowerCom Plus, PowerCom and LiteCom, depending on required features, applications and budgets. These high-noise communication headsets feature an...

Sound level meter.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 292 Quest's new SoundPro DLX hand-held acoustic measurement system is a PDA-style device that performs tests up to 97 percent faster than traditional octave band analyzers with improved accuracy. The real-time frequency analyzer...

Abrasion-resistant gloves.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 291 HyFlex[R] NBR gloves from Ansell are designed for abrasive applications that involve handling small-to-medium parts. The nitrile coating helps keep oil away from the hands, and an excellent dry grip makes the gloves suitable for...

Fixed gas detectors.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 293 The Xgard range of fixed gas detectors from Crowcon feature a universal junction box and replacement sensors that simply plug in. Because many parts are common to all Xgard models, the need to hold a large supply of spares is...

Sound measurement.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 294 Available in Type 1 or Type 2 versions, the SoundTrack LxT[TM] sound level and octave band meter from Larson Davis provides an easy way to manage route- or task-based workplace noise surveys. With operator route prompts and...

Ergonomic kneepads.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 295 New Cradle Technology[TM] kneepads from OK*1 provide increased comfort and stability and decreased rollover, at an economical price. Utilizing patent-pending technology, the kneepad contours perfectly to the patella so that the...

Anti-fog eyewear.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 296 New Sidewinders[TM] from SAS Safety offer four-way adjustable temples to fit a variety of face sizes. Available in black frames and seven different lens shades, the glasses feature anti-fog, scratch-resistant, high impact...

Insulated tools.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 297 Salisbury PRO-TOOL[TM] Insulated Tools & Tool Kits are tested to 10,000 VAC for use up to 1,000 VAC. The tools meet or exceed ASTM F1505-01 and IEC 900 Standards for Insulated Hand Tools and will help you comply with OSHA...

Contemporary Goggle.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 298 Designed to fit over most prescription spectacles, H.L. Bouton's new 5300 Contempo Goggle features a contemporary wrap-around style with a distortion-free panoramic view lens. Internal relief slots reduce interference with...

Mobile access platform.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 299 Flexible Lifeline Systems' new Mobile Access Platform is constructed of heavy-duty aircraft aluminum and is lightweight, mobile and height-adjustable. The portable ladder access system utilizes urethane wheels that allow the...

Sound level monitor.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 301 Extech's new Type 2 sound level monitor with alarm, Model SL120, gives a warning when sound levels exceed the programmable set point. Adjustable between 30-130 dB, the alarm warning can be easily seen on large LCD and over-limit...

Lockout kits.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 302 The Ultimate Lockout Kit LK981E from Prinzing is a complete set of lockout components in a portable duffle bag. Offering lightweight convenience, the kit includes 22 lockout items to ensure equipment is either de-energized or...

OSHA training program.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 303 A new video program from Coastal provides a basic overview of how OSHA sets standards for safer work environments. OSHA: An Introduction helps familiarize employers and workers with the scope and purpose of the federal agency....

Rechargeable flashlight.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 304 Streamlight's new rechargeable flashlight, the Strion[TM], employs a lithium ion battery, which delivers exceptional power in an ultra-compact size. A 12,000 candlepower xenon gas-filled bi-pin bulb offers the flexibility of...

Stylish eyewear.(NSC Products)
September 1, 2004... Circle 305 The Flame[TM] from Olympic Optical offers a futuristic sculpted frame with sure grip rubber temple inserts, an ergonomic nose pad and flared temple tips for superb comfort and style. The ANSI Z87.1-2003 high-velocity compliant...

Environmental monitoring.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Aim Safety, a division of Aerion Technologies Inc., manufactures and markets leading-edge environmental monitoring systems for instant, accurate feedback to individuals working in potentially hazardous environments. Products include single- and...

Wall cases.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... New to the comprehensive line of wall cases are five defibrillator cases in plastic, as well as metal. Considerations for easy transport and storage include a defibrillator zippered bag with shoulder strap and padded compartments. The Dual SCBA...

Retractable lanyard.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... The EZ Stop[R] Retrax[TM] shock-absorbing retractable lanyard stays close to the worker's body to reduce trip fall hazards, snagging on equipment and dragging. The first shock-absorbing lanyard that retracts automatically to fit the working...

Wrap-around eyewear.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... The Willson[TM] Fuse[TM] delivers exceptional coverage with style and comfort. The 9-base wrap-around design provides optimum field of vision without distortion. The lightweight gunmetal frame, adjustable saddle nosepads, and soft flexible...

Protective gloves.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... New HyFlex[R] CR+ gloves from Ansell Healthcare offer superior cut resistance and maximum dexterity using Intercept Technology, which employs KEVLAR[R] Stretch Armor Technology. Intercept Technology was developed by Ansell and DuPont[R] and...

AED/CPR training.(Exhibitor Spotlights)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... The American Heart Association's Heartsaver AED Course was the first to combine hands-on AED instruction with adult CPR. It teaches the basic techniques of adult CPR and use of an AED. Students also learn to use barrier devices in CPR and give...