Industrial Hygiene


NIOSH Seeks Comments on Draft Plan for Protecting Nano Workers

The agency is considering focusing on five "key goals," including increasing understanding of new hazards and related health risks, supporting the creation of guidance materials, supporting epidemiologic studies for nanomaterial workers, and promoting national adherence with risk management guidance.

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.

Inhibitors, while not as destructive as poisons, still have a negative effect on the sensor. If combustible gases and inhibitors are present at the same time, the catalytic bead sensor may not detect the combustible gas. (Industrial Scientific Corporation photo)

Are Poisons and Inhibitors Lurking in Your Workspace?

Just because a poison or inhibitor wasn't applied directly to the instrument doesn’t mean that it may not have been exposed to something while in a tool box, storage locker, or anywhere else gas detection equipment may be stored.

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.

Industrial Scientific Adds Fluke Instruments to Rental Program

"We are pleased to partner with the worldwide leader in electronic testing and imaging tools to offer our customers new products that improve safety and efficiency in the workplace," said Jason Wright, rental sales manager.

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.



OSHA to Start Enforcing New Beryllium Rule in May

OSHA said it also will begin enforcing on May 11, 2018, the new, lower 8-hour permissible exposure limit and short-term (15-minute) exposure limit for construction and shipyard industries.

Energy Inspector General Faults Beryllium Controls at Los Alamos National Laboratory

The IG's Feb. 20 report concluded LANL did not fully implement an effective Prevention Program as required, did not complete hazard assessments with sampling plans for each record in its 2016 beryllium inventory, and released potentially contaminated areas for other use without a formal evaluation to ensure any residual contamination was within acceptable limits.

When Human and Machine-Generated Data Come Together:  The Future Approach to Advancing Worker Safety

When Human and Machine-Generated Data Come Together: The Future Approach to Advancing Worker Safety

Safety managers are making an impact. While accident rates have fallen from a rate of 4,000 per 100,000 workers in 2000 to half that figure in 2015, these rates are still too high and the damages associated with them are still too extreme.

Some industry groups have argued that the rule does not go far enough in protecting workers from exposure and have advocated for a PEL of 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air or lower.

Everything You Need to Know About OSHA's Respirable Crystalline Silica Final Rule

The agency estimates that the new rule will save more than 600 lives and prevent more than 900 cases of silicosis each year.

The system should only be deployed in low hazard laboratories. Maintaining a lab operational permit system with periodic checkups is advisable.

Controlling Ventilation Rates at University Research Laboratories

Laboratories' ventilation systems make up the majority of Northwestern University's electricity demand.

Self-cleaning glass is now widely used in conservatory roofs and in windows not easily accessible. The IOSH guidance document says the roof of London

IOSH Offers Guidance on Construction Nanomaterials

The documents discuss how nanomaterials are difficult to identify in construction materials because they are rarely precisely labeled, and a product labeled as "nano" might contain nanoparticles or nanofibers, might be based on nanoscale film, or might simply be labeled that way to make it seem new and different.

R&D Proposals for Mining Safety Due Jan. 16

The main goal of the office's broad agency announcement is to promote the modification or final development of practical technologies or systems that can be adopted by the mining community quickly.

BSCP Renaming OHST Certification in February

Those who currently hold the OHST will receive new certificates in conjunction with the change. The OHST logo and exam content will remain the same, the BCSP fourth quarter 2017 enewsletter explained.

Proposals for 2018 IOHA Meeting Due in January

AIHA said the call for proposals will open on January 3, 2018, and close on January 29.

Portable Gas Detection

Safety should always be of the highest priority—it is the reason these detectors were invented, after all.

We congratulate the 22 winners in our tenth annual contest recognizing the most innovative new safety products.

2017 NPOY Contest Winners Honored

We congratulate the 23 winners in our ninth annual contest recognizing the most innovative new safety products.

The safety manager can instantly see, via his or her own smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc., which worker is using which detector. (Honeywell Industrial Safety photo)

Connect Workers and Technology for Safer, More Efficient Work Sites

Acquiring the latest software for safety management and monitoring can make a significant difference. The key is connected technology.

Product Showcase

  • Safety Shower Test Cart

    The Safety Shower Test Cart speeds up and simplifies emergency shower tests, ensures you stay in compliance with OSHA regulations, and significantly reduces testing costs. With 7 unique features, the cart makes testing easy, effective, and efficient. You can test water clarity, flow, temperature, and spread—all at the same time! Most safety shower testing kits create a mess, take too much time to use, and don't fully help you stay in compliance with OSHA & ANSI standards. Transform the way you test emergency showers with Green Gobbler Safety. 3

  • 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. 3

  • SlateSafety BAND V2

    SlateSafety BAND V2

    SlateSafety's BAND V2 is the most rugged, easy-to-use connected safety wearable to help keep your workforce safe and help prevent heat stress. Worn on the upper arm, this smart PPE device works in tandem with the SlateSafety V2 system and the optional BEACON V2 environmental monitor. It includes comprehensive, enterprise-grade software that provides configurable alert thresholds, real-time alerts, data, and insights into your safety program's performance all while ensuring your data is secure and protected. Try it free for 30 days. 3

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