PPE


OSHA Cites Kansas Contractor for Fall and Other Hazards

Wichita, Kansas, roofing contractor Jose Barrientos faces proposed penalties totaling $191,071 for two willful and six serious violations, according to the agency.

NIOSH Studying Condition of Stockpiled Respirators, Surgical Gowns

Federal, state, city, and medical partners of NIOSH are awaiting its findings about the stockpiled PPE. Researchers are in the second year of a three-year project.

ASSE Creating Accreditation Institute

The first certification provided by the institute will be on the new ISO 45001 standard. "I think companies will have a competitive advantage when displaying the institute's certification mark," ASSE President Jim Smith said. "It will demonstrate compliance with quality-driven standards that are geared to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Investors and customers will gain confidence in knowing that."

The summer construction season means workers and safety managers must be prepared for heat stress, falls, puncture and crushing injuries, and noise exposures.

Fifth Stand-Down on Preventing Construction Falls Set for May 7-11

"The Stand-Down is not limited only to construction industry trades," Dean McKenzie, director of OSHA's Directorate of Construction, and Christine M. Branche, Ph.D., FACE, principal associate director of NIOSH and director of its Office of Construction Safety and Health, said in an email. "Each year, large corporations and small companies have joined us to make this effort a success."

NIOSH, OSHA Release Guidance on Ototoxicity

Some ototoxic chemicals may exacerbate noise-induced hearing loss even though the noise level is below OSHA’s PEL, the document warns.

Honeywell Recalls Hard Hats

The hard hats can fail to protect users from impact, they report. No injuries have been reported. About 82,000 of the recalled hart hats were sold in the United States and another 65,550 were sold in Canada, CPSC reported.

European Commission Setting New PELs for Five Carcinogens

According to the commission, the new limits would improve working conditions for more than 1 million EU workers and prevent more than 22,000 cases of work-related illness, including cancers.

New hi-viz liners can act as an indicator when the outer coating is cut or compromised, prompting workers to replace their gloves before any harm is done. (Ansell photo)

Chemical Growth Fuels Innovations in Hybrid Cut and Chemical PPE

Workers are speaking loud and clear—with increased cut risks abundant in today’s machinery-heavy workspaces, cut protection can be as critical a factor as chemical protection.



When toe protection is needed, a safer approach for everyone in an industrial setting is to wear ASTM F2413-17 conforming shoes. (Red Wing Shoe Company photo)

A Guide to Safety Footwear Regulations

Good shoes make better employees.

Routine tasks such as moving items in and out of bins can become hazardous if workers have to reach into barrels or other receptacles that contain sharp materials. (Magid photo)

Hand Protection—Beyond the Glove

While hands may be protected with gloves, arms without proper protection are vulnerable to cuts, abrasions, and burns.

Selecting the Right Shoe Can Make All the Difference

Test results demonstrate that an employee is indeed safer while wearing a pair of safety-toed shoes.

Health effects of breathing welding fumes include eye, nose, and throat irritation; possible lung damage; various types of cancer; kidney and nervous system damage; and suffocation when oxygen-displacing gases are involved in welding in confined or enclosed spaces.

Steering Clear of the Fire and Shock Hazards

Hot work should not be done where flammable vapors or combustible materials exist. Both the work and the equipment being used by the welder should be placed outside any hazardous area.

Enjoying the 2018 Safety Trade Shows

Great customer service never goes out of style.

NIOSH Study Shows Association Between Noise Exposure and Heart Disease Risk Factors

"Reducing workplace noise levels is critical not just for hearing loss prevention – it may also impact blood pressure and cholesterol," said NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard, M.D. "Work site health and wellness programs that include screenings for high blood pressure and cholesterol should also target noise-exposed workers."

Hearing and Public Health Center Launched by Bloomberg School

"We are just now beginning to understand the impact that hearing loss can have on the lives of older adults," said Dr. Frank Lin, who heads the new center. "Amazingly, there is a dearth of public health research that examines this area and that is geared towards developing solutions and policies needed to mitigate these effects."

New NIOSH/OSHA Guidance on Ototoxicity Posted

"There is growing concern among occupational health and safety professionals that ototoxicant-induced hearing loss may go unrecognized since the measure for hearing loss does not indicate the cause," the document states. "For example, audiometric tests are powerful tools that show hearing impairments (i.e., threshold shifts); however, they do not differentiate between noise and ototoxic causes."

New NIOSH Documents Out on Nanotechnology Workplace Design

Four new documents offers tips on the design and use of exposure controls for nanomaterial production, post processing, and use. They are posters that pose questions employers and workers should consider before starting work with a nanomaterial and list options to reduce exposures to nanomaterials based on the physical form.

Red Wing Unveils Wall of Honor

The company welcomes submissions for the 2019 Wall of Honor at the website.

EU-OSHA Partners Preparing for Dangerous Substances Campaign

The campaign will address dangerous substances that can cause chronic or acute illness, such as respiratory diseases, cancer, mesothelioma, poisoning, skin diseases, reproductive problems and birth defects, and allergies.

WorkSafeBC Ammonia Inspection Initiative Now in Second Phase

Phase one focused on ice rinks and recreational facilities. Of the 223 sites inspected, 181 were using ammonia refrigeration systems. Inspecting officers issued 1,134 orders, three compliance agreements were created, and one stop use order was issued.

Product Showcase

  • SwabTek® Cannabis Test Kit

    The SwabTek® Cannabis Test Kit is a single-use spot test designed for use in screening for cannabis compounds in any sample type or on any surface. The test is capable of identifying the presumed presence of cannabinoids in very small quantities, with a level of detection as little as 6 μg in mass. Learn more about the SwabTek® Cannabis Test Kit and the rest of SwabTek surface drug testing solutions through the webinar titled "Everything You Want To Know About Surface Testing" Read More

  • The MGC Simple Plus

    The MGC Simple Plus is a simple-to-use, portable multi gas detector that runs continuously for three years without being recharged or routinely calibrated after its initial charge and calibration during manufacturing. The detector reliably tests a worksite’s atmosphere for hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, oxygen and combustible gases (LEL). Its durability enables the detector to withstand the harshest treatment and environments, hence earning it an IP 68 rating. The MGC Simple Plus is also compatible with a variety of accessories, such as the GCT External Pump. Visit gascliptech.com for more information. Read More

  • Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker WBGT Monitoring for Workplace Safety

    Ensure safety with the Kestrel® 5400 Heat Stress Tracker, the go-to choice for safety professionals and endorsed by the Heat Safety & Performance Coalition. This robust, waterless WBGT meter is ideal for both indoor and outdoor environments, offering advanced monitoring and data logging essential for OSHA compliance. It features pre-programmed ACGIH guidelines and alert settings to quickly signal critical conditions. Integrated with the cloud-based Ambient Weather Network, the 5400 allows managers to view, track, and log job site conditions remotely, ensuring constant awareness of potential hazards. Its capability for real-time mobile alerts and remote data access promotes proactive safety management and workplace protection, solidifying its role as a crucial tool in industrial hygiene. Read More

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