February 2016 OHS

February 2016

  • HAND PROTECTION: Get Acquainted With EU Safety Glove Standards
  • HAND PROTECTION: Help Protect Hard-Working Hands from Occupational Skin Disorders
  • VISION PROTECTION: Keys to Preventing Eye Injuries
  • INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE: Infrared Sensors Shine a New Light on LEL Combustible Gas Measurement
  • INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE: Whole Air Sampling: No Pump, No Problem
  • AEDS & CPR: New California AED Laws: Bull Rush From the Bear State?
  • AEDS & CPR: New First Aid and CPR Guidelines: Step In to Save a Life
  • ERGONOMICS: Utilizing Technology in Manual Material Handling and Safe Lifting
  • MACHINE GUARDING: Solving a Tough Guarding Challenge
  • DRUG TESTING: Marijuana Use and Its Impact on Workplace Safety and Productivity
  • DRUG TESTING: Trends in Marijuana Legalization: A Wake-Up Call for Employers
  • RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: Common Questions Safety Managers Ask About Using ESLIs for Organic Vapors
  • Click here to subscribe.


Cover Story

Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, an ESLI allows cartridge change-outs to occur based on each employee’s individual work hours, exposure levels, and breathing rates while also factoring in different environmental conditions. (3M Personal Safety Division photo)

Common Questions Safety Managers Ask About Using ESLIs for Organic Vapors

By Erik Johnson

End-of-service-life indicators have the potential to help organizations minimize lost time, reduce workers' compensation costs, and help save on equipment costs.


Features

Three things workers and safety managers should do to prevent injuries are to know the eye safety hazards at work by completing a hazard assessment, eliminating the hazards through engineering controls before starting work, and wearing appropriate vision protection.

Keys to Preventing Eye Injuries

By Fred Elliott

Prevent Blindness America reports that 90 percent of the more than 2,000 eye injuries occurring each day are preventable through the use of protective safety eyewear.


With the passage of S.B. 658, an informed plaintiff’s attorney will be able to lodge a very credible argument that the onus placed upon AED owners to qualify for Good Samaritan protection is no longer significant.

New California AED Laws: Bull Rush From the Bear State?

By John Ehinger

With the passage of S.B. 658, an informed plaintiff’s attorney will be able to lodge a very credible argument that the onus placed upon AED owners to qualify for Good Samaritan protection is no longer significant.


Hand washing alone is not enough. To keep hands strong and healthy, employees should use protect and restore creams before and after working.

Help Protect Hard-Working Hands from Occupational Skin Disorders

By Andreas Klotz

Just one case of occupational dermatitis can cost an employer approximately $3,500 in workers' compensation claims and an average disability of 23.9 days, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.


There is great potential to decrease injuries with the use of these new technologies, especially musculoskeletal disorders and repetitive task-related injuries. (Gorbel Inc. photo)

Utilizing Technology in Manual Material Handling and Safe Lifting

By Mick Snyder

Industrial use of exoskeletons is just starting to be explored.


The bags make air grab sampling easy and efficient. (Nextteq photo)

Whole Air Sampling: No Pump, No Problem

By Steve Luecke

Traditional grab sampling methods require supplementary devices such as electric pumps, batteries, charging devices, calibrators, tubing, connectors, and auxiliary equipment.


Double flange shaft covers mount at both flanged ends, providing additional stability.

Solving a Tough Guarding Challenge

By Jet LaBarge

The guard would have to be manufactured from a material that could withstand a catastrophic electric or fire event so that the smoke from the guard would not damage the electrical equipment in the building.


NFPA 70E-2015 specifically defines ear canal inserts (ear plugs) as the required protection in all arc flash zones.

Get Acquainted With EU Safety Glove Standards

By Simon Courtney

The classification of a glove in a particular test is usually defined as one of a series of performance levels. It is left to the user, following a suitable risk assessment exercise, to select a glove with a suitable profile.


The impairment argument is incredibly complex. Many employers use the term in workplace drug and alcohol policies but this may not be the most prudent choice as marijuana impairment cannot necessarily be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Trends in Marijuana Legalization: A Wake-Up Call for Employers

By Jo McGuire

Weakening or removing employers’ rights for a safe and drug free workplace ultimately threatens all of us.


Infrared Sensors Shine a New Light on LEL Combustible Gas Measurement

By Bob Henderson

It is critically important for instrument users to understand what the sensors in their instrument cannot properly measure, as well as what they can.


Knowing the correct steps to take in those critical first moments of an emergency can mean the difference between life and death," said Dr. Eunice "Nici" Singletary, M.D., co-chair of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) First Aid Task Force and chair of the Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council

New First Aid and CPR Guidelines: Step In to Save a Life

By Jonathan L. Epstein

The latest CPR guidelines highlight how quick action, proper training, use of technology, and coordinated efforts can increase survival from cardiac arrest.


Relaxed attitudes toward marijuana use come at a time when the drug is more potent than ever. (J.J. Keller & Associates photo)

Marijuana Use and Its Impact on Workplace Safety and Productivity

By Terri L. Dougherty

Despite the safety and productivity risks associated with marijuana use, the drug is increasingly seen as socially acceptable and its dangers may be marginalized.


Departments

Forward Pressure for Courageous Leadership

By Robert Pater

People are typically uncomfortable with change. That's why making things happen entails dealing with others' fears.


Contractor Safety Management: Aligning Strategy and Culture

By Shawn M. Galloway

Far too many organizations are still focused on activities and rates.


Starting Over on Nuclear Waste Storage

By Jerry Laws

The strategy is to establish a pilot interim storage facility that mainly will accept used nuclear fuel from reactors that have already been shut down; a larger interim storage facility; and one or more long-term geologic repositories.


Artificial Intelligence