PPE - Articles - Page 89

Consider different eye protection options for your workplace

January 26, 2017

OSHA estimates that over three million U.S. workers are at risk for job-related eye injuries and more than 2,000 are actually injured every business day.

NIOSH-certified respirator mask remains most popular in healthcare

January 25, 2017

Now that flu season is officially here, we may feel heightened concern about the cause of our coworker’s, friend’s, or elevator mate’s cough. For healthcare workers, this seasonal concern is of year-round importance.

Ten reasons to wear steel-toed boots

January 24, 2017

It might be mandatory. OSHA might require that your workplace require its employees to wear steel-toed boots or safety shoes. To be compliant under OSHA standards, some manual labor industries require them to prevent or help injury while on the job.

Who pays for safety footwear?

January 23, 2017

OSHA ruled in 2008 that employers are required to pay for their employees’ PPE. OSHA does not specify the method that employers must use to pay for PPE. Many employers maintain a stock of PPE and hand it out as employees need it. Other employers use allowances or reimbursement systems. Any of these methods are acceptable, as long as employees receive the PPE at no cost.

PAPRs should fit both wearer & work environment

Paula Varsamis

January 19, 2017

In the world of safety lies a plethora of devices and gadgets that offer unique capabilities with the aim of protecting end-users. While these devices can maximize one’s protection, safety goes beyond simply donning a device.

Top products of the week

January 16, 2017

Arc flash-rated gloves, brighter portable lighting and extreme weather workwear were among the top occupational safety and health items featured on ISHN.com this week.

Temporary housing efforts in W. Virginia flood area

Brass Knuckle® outfits flood recovery efforts

Provides protective wear to WV flood victims, volunteers

January 12, 2017

Early last summer, a massive flood hit areas of West Virginia, leaving 23 dead. It was among the most deadly floods in the state’s history and led Governor Earl Ray Tomblin to declare states of emergency in 44 of the state’s 55 counties. The National Guard was deployed to assist stranded residents, and hundreds of homes were lost or severely damaged in the flooding. The small town of Clendenin (approx. 1200 residents) was hit particularly hard, with news reports describing the whole town as being underwater.

OSHA’s interpretation of facial hair and respirator fit

From a 2016 OSHA Letter of Interpretation:

January 10, 2017

Question: If an employee with a neatly trimmed goatee is wearing a respirator and it does not interfere with the seal of the face piece or valve function, and has passed a fit test, does this meet the intent of the OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard?

OSHA weighs in on voluntary and non-voluntary use of respirators

January 10, 2017

From an OSHA Letter of Interpretation: Scenario: An employee is dry cutting concrete in an outdoor, well-ventilated environment that creates a small amount of dust that never approaches the permissible exposure limit (PEL), and the supervisor advises the employee to put a dust mask on. Question: Does a supervisor advising an employee to put on a dust mask constitute non-voluntary (required) use even though the generated dust amount is below the PEL? Reply: Respiratory protection is required when such equipment is necessary to protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators are required by the employer.

OSHA wants to amend respiratory protection standard

Makes bid to add two more fit-testing protocols

January 10, 2017

OSHA has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to add two quantitative fit-testing protocols to the agency's Respiratory Protection Standard. The protocols would apply to employers in the general, shipyard and construction industries. Appendix A of the standard contains mandatory respirator fit-testing methods that employers must use to ensure their employees' respirators fit properly and protect the wearer.