PKSafety.com Blog

Chances are all of us have some level of exposure to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is inexpensive to produce and has a wide range of uses from building materials such as paint or the glue used to bind plywood, particle board and paneling to the Brazilian Blowout, a hair-straitening product found to contain startlingly high concentrations of this dangerous compound.

For those who work in industries where formaldehyde is used regularly the dangers are quite serious. Even light contact with formaldehyde (also abbreviated HCHO) can irritate the eyes and affect the mucous membranes and upper respiratory system. Prolonged or acute exposure can create severe abdominal pain, convulsions, diarrhea, bronchitis, pneumonia or pulmonary edema. Not only that, but OSHA has determined that formaldehyde is a genotoxic, showing properties of both a cancer initiator and promoter for early and late stage carcinogen. While those who work around formaldehyde regularly – agricultural workers, drug makers, furniture makers and finishers, and now salon workers – are at some risk of ingesting the compound, the more common routes for exposure are through skin absorption and inhalation.

While latex gloves provide some barrier to absorption, butyl or nitrile gloves are recommended and should be used when contact is anticipated. With regard to inhalation, employers who require workers to be exposed to formaldehyde in concentrations over .75 parts of formaldehyde per million parts of air (.75 ppm), must provide and make sure the employees wear respirators that conform to OSHA standards 1910.134 for respiratory protection. A great mask that meets these requirements is the Moldex 9000 Respirator Combination.

The Moldex 9000 is a full face respirator that, when properly worn, will protect not only the lungs of the wearer, but also the eyes and the mucous membranes that can be affected by formaldehyde fumes. The mask features Moldex 7600 Multi-Gas Vapor Smart Cartridges that are capable of filtering multiple gases that may be present in the same work space.

According to Wikipedia, last year over 50 billion tons of formaldehyde was produced worldwide. Workers and employers who work with this compound need to take steps to prevent exposure that can lead to short term and long term hazards to health.

Justin Respiratory Formaldehyde, manufacturing, OSHA, Respirator, worker protection

PK is excited to slash fifteen percent off the cost of our work aprons, a perfect accessory for a wide range of undertakings in which added protection is not a plus, but a must. Simply enter APRON15 at checkout between now and February 23, 2012 for this great deal on a must-have item.

Why do we have aprons on a safety site? Imagine you’re on Family Feud and the question is “uses for an apron.” Depending on the field you’re in, your first choice may not match what the survey says! Why? The general image of an apron involves a kitchen and some cookies, but those kinds of frilly things are entirely out of place in tougher, more dangerous arenas that demand tough as nails protection.

Our industrial apron is made of nitrile, a super tough rubber compound. Medical gloves made of nitrile are three times stronger than those made of conventional latex. Built to last, its heavy duty reinforced grommets and nylon ties keep this apron where it should be and allows it to fit all shapes and sizes of worker.

This apron is both sturdy and far more resistant to oils and acids than natural rubber, making it perfect for high impact, dirty jobs like industrial maintenance, chemical manufacturing, or food processing. For the industrial and chemical fields, the added repellant strength of nitrile protects the wearer against grease contamination or chemical burns. Oil-based paint and the oil-based solvents used to clean these materials quickly destroy cotton or plastic aprons, so think of what it can do to your skin. Artists such as painters or printmakers could benefit from wearing one of these aprons, as could housepainters. A lot happens to that big, juicy steak before it hits the grill, and most of what happens is not pretty. In the food processing industry, the nitrile surface is easily disinfected and helps combat contamination of food products. Anti-bacterial pre-treatment of the nitrile blend adds to the safety that it brings to the world of food prep.

The possible uses for this apron truly run the gamut of human creativity and productivity. Pick one up today and know the feeling of comfort that added safety brings to any undertaking.

Mike General Safety Ansell 56-512, Ansell 56-512 Black Hycar Apron, Ansell Apron, Ansell Nitrile Apron, Black Nitrile Apron, Coupon Code, Discount Code, Industrial, Industrial Apron, Medium Duty Apron, Nitrile, Nitrile Apron, Nitrile Food Processing Apron, Oil Resistant Apron, PK Safety, PK Safety Ansell, PK Safety Coupon, PK Safety Discount Code, PK Safety Supply, Pksafety.com, Solvent Resistant Apron, www.pksafety.com

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) would like your gas detectors calibrated before each use. A full calibration for a 4-gas monitor requires about $6.60 worth of calibration gas, and takes about 5 minutes. This should be all the answer anyone needs, but in practice if your company has 500 monitors, it isn’t always practical and OSHA and ANSI know it.

In text attempting to clarify the issue, the two regulatory agencies submit that it is best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for calibration. If only these instructions were consistent, the problem would likely be solved. However, upon closer inspection, the manufacturer guidelines are also a little fuzzy.

For instance, the manufacturer of a 4-gas diffusion monitor provides an on-screen countdown of 180 days explaining in their literature that the monitor does not need to be calibrated until then. That same company produces a single-gas monitor which is supposed to be self-calibrating and last for a full two years. All fine and good, until you consider that they both use the same sensors.

OSHA refers on their website to recommendations from the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), a trade association for manufacturers of protective equipment, including environmental monitoring instruments. The ISEA recommends, at a minimum, verification of sensor accuracy before each day’s use. This does not necessarily include calibration, but would require bump testing – the process of subjecting the gas monitor to the gas(es) they are supposed to detect and making sure they register – each day.

The ISEA provides information about the differences between bump testing and full calibrations, and I’ll include it here because it does supply a good description of the process of when bump testing is helpful and when it isn’t enough:

In practice we have heard that companies develop their own intervals of when to bump test and when to calibrate. Our clients inform us that if they use their monitors infrequently, say every 30 days or less, then they do calibrate each time they monitor so they have confidence the monitor is responding properly. On the other hand, companies that use their devices all the time, say daily, have told us they calibrate far less frequently, perhaps every 4-6 months, but do bump testing more often (every couple of weeks) to make sure the devices are registering.

Since this is already confusing, let’s go ahead and mix in the legal implications of the data provided by the gas monitors. For readings to hold up in court as incontrovertible your gas detector must be calibrated both before and immediately after each use. This is the only way to be completely sure the monitor is functioning properly.

What we say is that it’s important to create an environment where safety is important; where all equipment – not just monitors, but harnesses, lanyards, SRLs, winches and other PPE – are checked regularly.

As for the monitors, the best information we have comes from the president of RKI Instruments, a gas monitor manufacturer who wrote an article for the National Safety Council. He explained that folks who “bump test” before each use can extend the calibration cycle to “three to six months for instruments that successfully pass the bump gas test”.

It’s also important to remember that bump testing or calibration is especially necessary when a gas monitor has been potentially damaged. The monitors are made to be durable and work for extended periods on tough work sites, but they are also sensitive instruments and severe conditions such as high gas concentrations, extreme temperatures, falls or electrical shocks cannot be assumed to have left the device fully operational. If you want to be sure your monitor is working correctly, you must bump test. If your device fails bump testing, you must calibrate to make sure the sensors and the monitor are able to provide their life saving alerts.

Justin Confined Space 4 Gas Monitor, 4-gas detector, ANSI, bump testing, BW, calibration, docking station, Gas Detector, gas monior, gas monitor calibration, MSA, OSHA, RAE Systems

PK is excited to offer a ten percent discount on the Coretex Outdoor Skin Protection Kit between now and January 29, 2012. This is one of those things I wish I would have had on any number of my outdoor (mis)adventures when I was a kid. For instance, one summer I went on a canoeing trip on the Sugar River in Wisconsin. I managed to acquire what was known as the  “triple threat,” that is, poison ivy, oak, and sumac! I got poison oak from touching the bow of a canoe, which did not seem fair. Add to that a healthy helping of mosquito bites and I was one unhappy camper!

After looking through what this little pack has to offer, it really struck me how much better that canoe trip would have been if I had packed one of these kits. Not only are there packets of repellant for the triple threat, but also cleansing wipes for things like canoes, fishing poles, boots, or whatever else that may have touched the itch weed. And what outdoors pack would be complete without bug repellant? This packet comes with it, of course, but it also comes with anti-itch cream.  If you forget to put on the repellant, then at least you have a backup in case fate catches up with you.

Other packets include sunscreen, relief for burns and stings, and hand sanitizer. This would be a perfect gift for anyone who does anything outdoors, whether that is hardcore wilderness camping, beach cookouts, summerhouse entertaining, sailing, hiking, etc. The list could go on endlessly, because this little pack has so many possible applications. Repellants and relief creams spoil just like anything else, so if you have some of this stuff and it is more than a few months old, then it is time to clean house! It can easily be stowed in the glove box, golf bag, or tackle box. When it’s needed, this packet of protection is a sight for sore eyes. To get this offer simply enter the coupon code CORETEX10 at checkout between now and January 29, 2012 to receive your discount.

Mike Sunscreen Burn Relief, Cleansing Wipes, Coretex, Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Skin Care, Skin Care Kit, Sting Relief, Sumac, Sunscreen

Worn properly an earplug like the Howard Leight Max NRR 33 can be used in noise up to 110 dB(A).  110 dB is roughly equivalent to someone blowing a whistle a couple feet from your ear.  Aside from being extremely irritating, it’s very dangerous for your ear.  120dB is typically recognized as the pain threshold and the point where damage to your ear can happen very quickly.

On their website, the Howard Leight company writes that the best earplug is the one that is worn properly, and we might add comfortably.  We’ve found over the years that safety equipment that is comfortable and easy to wear is more likely to be used than alternates that are cumbersome or irritating.

To help you wear your ear plugs both comfortably and properly, we’ve taken a couple pictures to demonstrate the proper technique.  Howard Leight also has a pretty nice video if you still can’t quite get those plugs in.

To properly fit an earplug, here are a couple of easy to use tips that will make it easier and more effective.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roll the ear plug with clean hands into as narrow a tube as you can.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reach over your head with your free hand and pull you ear gently up and slightly out to help open up the ear canal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insert the rolled up earplug with a slight turning motion until it is well inside your ear canal.  The entire length of the plug should fit inside the ear with only a small amount protruding. (See photos).  Hold the ear plug gently in place for 30-40 seconds as the foam expands so it doesn’t work its way out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the ear plug doesn’t seem to fit properly, remove it and try again.  If you are new to wearing ear plugs, there is a natural tendency to only put a small amount of the plug into the canal.  These soft earplugs will not damage the ear, and are made to be fit deeper and to expand fully to best protect your hearing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you have inserted the ear plug, you will hear and feel it expand to fill the canal.  If you are not used to this, it can be an odd, but not a painful, sensation.  As long as the ear plugs remain clean and free from rips and tears they may be re-used, but at our great prices, you may as well treat yourself to a new pair each time you need ear protection.

Justin General Safety comfortable ear plugs, Ear Muffs, ear plugs, ear protection, hearing protection, noise protection, PPE

The Airwave disposable respirator by Moldex is one of those exceptional and delightful instances when a change is an actual breakthrough, like the first jet aircraft or nuclear submarine. In the world of disposable respirators, the Airwave is at that level of world-changing event. Not only does it promise greater breathability than a valve respirator, it is also much cheaper and easier on the person wearing it.

 

The statistics tell the story. Notice its cool accordion shape? Its Flexfit design acts like a spring that expands when you move your jaw, which keeps a good seal over your nose and mouth along with making the mask more comfortable. Safety gear is the best when it is so comfortable that you forget it’s on. But within that fancy looking form lies double the surface area of a normal respirator. It doesn’t just look neat, it is giving you twice the number of ways to get air in and out of the filter area. In comparison to a valve respirator, the Airwave boasts a whopping 68% less inhale resistance and 51% less exhale resistance. In comparison to non-valve masks, the Airwave gets 65% less inhale resistance and 68% less exhale resistance.

 

Basically, these numbers mean the mask is twice as easy to breathe through as anything else out there. As for why this matters, think about how mountain climbers sometimes need oxygen tanks, because the air is thinner at high elevation. Or, in a less extreme scenario, how jogging somewhere that is high above sea level is tougher than at a lower elevation. How alert and energetic you are depends upon how much oxygen you are drawing into your body. While a regular dust mask is safe, it can gradually tire you out for this very reason. Less air is going into your body than it would with normal breathing. The Airwave helps increase productivity by fighting against this fatigue and at a cost that is far below a valve respirator. Its greater surface area also eliminates the buildup of moisture within the mask

 

So let’s review: the mask has twice the ventilation of anything else out there, costs a fraction of valve masks, and stays dry inside better than anything else. PK is happy to sweeten the deal on the Airwave disposable respirator by offering ten percent off a box of ten when you enter the code AIRWAVE10 between now and January 22, 2012. There is still time to add this to your list of resolutions.

Mike Respiratory Discounts, Dust Mask Respirator, Moldex

The wine making industry has grown tremendously in the US over the past 20 years. Professionals and hobbyists alike ferment great quantities of pressed grapes to produce the ancient ambrosia. However, not all parts of the wine making process bring joy. There is a serious side to viticulture where cleaning equipment, tanks, vats and other confined spaces may hide potentially lethal dangers for those who press the noble grape.

 

Confined spaces within the wine industry can relate to any areas, fully enclosed, partially enclosed or even open topped, which are not intended to be a normal, habitable workspace. These can include fermentation vats, bins, and even some barrels. Because of the nature of fermentation as well as chemicals used for cleaning equipment (such as Potassium Metabisulfite and others), there are opportunities for sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide (CO2), ethanol (EtOH) and even water vapor to create unsafe work atmospheres in these potentially dangerous areas where workers are required operate.

 

For permit required confined spaces in tanks and vats, an airline respirator is often the only appropriate respiratory device. However, in technically non-confined spaces where fumes or chemicals may be present, ventilation is critical as are respirators with filters that protect against acid gas and other organic vapors such as the 3M 6003m Organic Vapor/Acid Gas Cartridge or the Moldex 7600 Multi-Gas Vapor Smart Cartridge.

 

There is ample evidence to suggest that even well-trained personnel can drown or be asphyxiated when their work requires them to be exposed to the dangerous atmospheres created by wine making in a small or confined area. Wherever possible, tank work should be done without entering the tank or vat space. Long handled tools for shoveling and automated cleaning systems can keep wine makers away from potential danger.

 

Entry into areas that may contain toxic environments must be made by people trained in confined space entry. Those workers must have the appropriate protective gear (PPE) including a gas monitor for testing the atmosphere, a means of safe entrance and egress of the space, and the ability to be retrieved by competent people outside the space if they are overcome while working.

 

For all wine makers, the best line of defense against potential harm is knowledge of the dangers lurking in confined spaces. Training and written confined space programs are a must for a professional enterprise so these dangers are apparent to all workers. All areas that may contain dangerous atmospheres where a person might conceivably enter and become trapped should be labeled with warning signs and written permissions must be obtained each time workers want to enter those spaces.

 

To paraphrase the famous California wine maker Paul Masson, “We will enter no confined space before it has been properly ventilated and checked for any and all atmospheric hazards.” Or something like that.

Justin Confined Space acid gas, Confined Space, Confined Space Entry, Gas Monitor, organic vapor, Respirator, wine tank

 

One of the best things for the New Year is a new gadget that makes the home safer. Better still is scoring such a gadget at a discount. The BOLO Portable Gas Leak Detector from Nova Systems is a great little gas detector for home usage. It can detect dangerous levels of natural gas, propane, hydrogen, and butane. Some of these gases have a smell and some do not. Those that smell can often get lost in a space where other smells are more dominant. You might think your nose knows, but sometimes, it does not. The BOLO is a great way to guarantee safety in any job that involves these gases, such as stove installation or barbecuing.

Beyond its safety guarantees, the BOLO is super-convenient. Its gas detecting wand folds into the unit, so it is about the size of a cell phone. It can easily fit in your shirt pocket or in a belt pouch. You don’t need some rare, super expensive battery for the gas sniffer, either. It runs for eight hours on two AAs. If you’re hard on gadgets, then use the accompanying hard carrying case to keep it safe and it will return the favor.

PK is excited to offer this BOLO Gas Sniffer at ten percent off between now and January 15, 2012.  So make one of your resolutions to steer clear of dangerous gases and pick up one of these BOLOs. Just enter the coupon code BOLO10 at checkout to receive your discount.

Mike General Safety At Home Gas Detector, BOLO Gas Monitor, Bolo Gas Sniffer, Discount Code, Discounts, Gas Detector, Gas Monitor, Nova Systems

 

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season.   We will be back to our regular posting routine on January 2nd, 2012.

 

Please Note:  These holiday hats do not meet OSHA or ANSI standards for hard hat safety or fall safety.  They are just for fun.

 

Justin General Safety Fun, Hanukkah, Holiday, Kwanzaa, Merry Christmas

People contact us all the time asking for reflective vests that meet the ANSI Class 3 requirements.   The fact is there is no Class 3 vest unless you are Andre the Giant and wear a size 4XL.

Class 3 (or Class III) “vests” are designed to provide the highest level of visibility in extreme weather situations and around traffic going more than 50 mph.  They are required to have 1,240 inches of fluorescent background fabric and 310 inches of reflective material.  That much fabric is going to make one heck of big vest.  That’s why the typical garment that meets the minimum Class 3 requirement is actually a short sleeve shirt with reflective tape.

This fact, however, will not stop everyone from calling them Class 3 vests.  Try not to let it bother you too much.

So what are the differences between Class 2 and Class 3 vest requirements?  About 465 square inches of fluorescent material and about 109 inches of reflective tape.  Class 3 vests are designed to provide great visibility during intense weather such as hurricanes or blizzards, or to be worn by emergency personnel and traffic teams working on freeways and highways.  Class 2 vests are designed for moderate risk: school crossings, parking lots, traffic direction.  Because of the less stringent requirements, they are smaller than Class 3 vests.

For more information about the apparel requirements, check this handy 3M information sheet on ANSI 107-2004

Click here to see PK Safety Supply’s work clothing and reflective safety apparel

Justin General Safety 3M, ANSI Class 3, class 2 vest, Class 3 clothing, class 3 vest, class III, safety vest