Protective Fabrics


Poll Reveals Hospitals' Difficulties Staffing for C. Difficile

Thirty-four percent of respondents said they have an infection control plan to increase interventions in the event of an outbreak of CDI, a condition frequently associated with previous antibiotic use and most commonly contracted by the elderly and those with recent exposure to hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care institutions.

Honeywell is Buying Sperian Protection

The company announced today that its $1.4 billion bid has been approved by Sperian's board. This will vault Honeywell into the lead position among PPE manufacturers worldwide.

Women's Apparel Maker Cited for Bloodborne Pathogens Hazards

The company was cited for violations at its Parsippany, N.J., worksite, which it shares with Salonika Associates LLC, also cited after a Site-Specific Targeting Program inspection.

Papers Sought for 2011 Protective Clothing Symposium

The ASTM International Committee F23 on Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment is sponsoring the June 16-17, 2011, event in Anaheim. Interested presenters must submit a 250-300 word abstract online by Aug. 15, 2010.

UAW Wants Comprehensive Metalworking Fluids Standard

The union, which represents some 390,000 active members, said May 11 that it filed its petition last month with OSHA.

Coking Plant Cited for Respiratory, Industrial Hygiene, PPE Violations

Specifically, the facility failed to adequately train workers on respirator selection, use, storage, and maintenance; did not supply positive-pressure filtered air to all work cabs; did not label containers of coke-contaminated clothing; allowed food and beverages to be consumed in an area with visible accumulations of coke-oven emissions; and more, according to investigators.

A trucker exposed to the sun.

SLU Study Finds More Left-Side Skin Cancer

While professional drivers have to worry about speed traps, weight restrictions, and traffic jams, many don't consider the effects of prolonged sun exposure from driving.

OSHA Blasts Chicago Sandblasting Firm for Inadequate PPE, Lead Exposure, More

This contractor has been inspected by OSHA 25 times since 1991 and has been issued numerous willful, serious, and repeat violations, including many lead violations, the agency said.



Cal/OSHA shut down 16 work sites in 2009 for imminent heat hazards, and the agency issued nearly $2 million in fines and 1,158 citations for alleged violations of its Heat Illness Prevention Standard.

Heat Season Starts Now

Outdoor workers should be protected against excessive heat exposure, and particularly if they are wearing protective apparel.

heat stress

How Heat Stress Affects Performance

NIOSH notes in its publication "Occupational Exposure to Hot Environments," (1986) that although workers can acclimatize themselves to different levels of heat, each worker has an upper limit for heat stress beyond which that worker can become a heat casualty. Further, it has been shown that a worker's ability to focus attention and the worker's reaction times can be dramatically reduced by even a 2 percent dehydration level due to heat stress.

Arc Flash and Molten Metal — the Hidden Hazard

Since the inception of the NFPA 70E 2000 Edition 10 years ago, there has been a major evolution in our understanding of the electric arc flash hazard.

This F17 laser safety eyewear from Laservision, a St. Paul, Minn., company, can be fitted with several types of filters or prescription lenses.

New Non-Ionizing Radiation Duties for UK Employers

The Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations took effect April 27 and make employers responsible for analyzing visible light hazards, such as from lasers, and protecting and training workers exposed to them.

OSHA gave an October 2010 date to complete analyzing comments submitted in 2008 about a proposed confined spaces rule for the construction industry.

Construction Confined Spaces Rule Still in Proposed Stage

The latest semiannual regulatory agenda does not advance the rulemaking except to give an October 2010 date to complete analyzing comments submitted in 2008. EPA's agenda says NPRMs will be issued in July 2011 to enhance pesticide protection for applicators and agricultural workers.

The October 2009 death of an Indiana man from rabies linked to a type of bat prompted the CDC recommendations.

CDC Issues PPE Recommendations for Rabies Autopsies

Its work in the investigation of an Indiana man's death from rabies last October has caused CDC to issue recommendations for pathologists who perform autopsies on people who had suspected or confirmed cases.

Nine Myths About Disposable Safety Gloves

Nine Myths About Disposable Safety Gloves

Disposable nitrile, natural latex, and vinyl gloves, often referred to as thin-mil gloves, are used in a variety of distinct applications. Understanding the truths about glove performance is important in selecting the right glove for each application.

ASSE Paves Way for Work Zone Safety Webinar

The free, one-hour event will focus in part on the new A10.47 standard, which covers flagger safety, run over/back over prevention, equipment operator safety, illumination, PPE, and more.

foot protection

The Art of Making Tough Boots

Manufacturing a protective boot that can meet exacting national standards is challenging enough. When the relevant industry adds its own performance testing to the mix, as the aluminum smelter industry around the world has done, the challenge grows — but this happens for all the right reasons.

It is estimated more than 3 billion syringes generated outside of health care are discarded in regular trash annually.

Assessing the Hidden Problem of Medical Waste Disposal

Throwing sharps containers, red bags, and spill cleanup materials into the trash sends up a red flag to commercial or municipal trash collectors because they are not allowed to take this waste.

Plastics Plant Penalized for Polyvinyl Particles, Improper Procedures

In addition to the combustible dust violations, an inspection found that the Delaware company failed to provide fire retardant clothing for employees and require them to wear adequate eye protection with side shields, among other hazards.

Free Webinar Series to Focus on Textile Safety, Testing, Regulation

The first installment will highlight recent enhancements to the global Oeko-Tex® Restricted Substances List (RSL) and the Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 Certification, which ensures that textiles are tested to be free from dangerous levels of more than one hundred substances believed to be harmful to human health.

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