April 2016 OH&S

April 2016

  • FALL PROTECTION: Workers Not Always Using Their Fall Protection Equipment?
  • HAND PROTECTION: Curbing Hand Injury Risks
  • HAND PROTECTION: This Is Not Your Grandfather's Glove: Hand Protection in the Age of Performance Gloves
  • IH/GAS MONITORING: Carbon Dioxide Detection and Indoor Air Quality Control
  • WELDING SAFETY: Keep An Eye on Welding PPE
  • FIRST AID TRAINING: First Aid Readiness: Information, Preparation, Assessment, and Response
  • FIRST AID TRAINING: How ANSI is Leading the Way to Better First Aid in the Workplace
  • ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: How Thermal Oxidation Can Increase the Sustainability of a Chemical Plant
  • FOOT PROTECTION: Comfort, Quality, Durability: Keys to Effective Protection
  • FOOT PROTECTION: One Pair for Life
  • INCENTIVES/EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT: Safety Communications for Today's Workforce
  • ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE: Data Center EH&S 101
  • HAZARDOUS WASTE: Production Materials Become Hazardous Waste Practically Overnight -- EPA's Perspective on Abandoned Commercial Chemical Products
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Cover Story

When securing first aid instructors, it is highly recommended you engage certified instructors who have real-world response experience.

First Aid Readiness: Information, Preparation, Assessment, and Response

By Michael Adel

With such a broad description for OSHA first aid compliance, the responsibility of defining the various components of first aid response and preparedness lies solely on the employer.


Features

Thirty percent of hand injuries are a result of using the wrong or inadequate glove for the job. (Radians® photo)

This Is Not Your Grandfather's Glove: Hand Protection in the Age of Performance Gloves

By Mary Padron

Some injuries you can't forget.


Spend a day in a data center and you will come away with a deep appreciation that indoor noise exposure is a priority safety consideration. (Digital Realty Trust, Inc. photo)

Data Center EH&S 101

By Walter Leclerc

Stakeholders' concerns range from asbestos and lead-based paint typically found in older and/or legacy data centers to fire-resistant clothing, contractor and construction management, elevated work such as portable and fixed ladders, and rooftop maintenance.


Health effects of elevated CO2 can include headaches, sleepiness, poor concentration, loss of attention, increased heart rate, and slight nausea. (Aerionics Inc. photo)

Carbon Dioxide Detection and Indoor Air Quality Control

By Steve Bonino

Carbon dioxide gas detectors can utilize an automated background calibration program to set the clean air level on a regular basis.


Women have about four times as many foot problems as men. High heels are partly to blame, but also the serious lack of legitimate female fitting options available in the safety footwear market. (Steel Blue photo)

One Pair for Life

By Steve Nash

Underfoot comfort needs to be the first consideration when choosing your next pair of safety boots.


Protective tools could remove workers

Curbing Hand Injury Risks

By Shahram Vatanparast

Training, communication, on-the-job coaching, and employees' involvement are key components to keeping hand safety awareness top of mind.


Class A kits are designed to offer greater access to the items needed to treat most common types of workplace injuries, while Class B kits feature a broader range and quantity of supplies to treat injuries in more complex or high-risk environments.

How ANSI is Leading the Way to Better First Aid in the Workplace

By Erica Osley

Recent changes to ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 are a holistic shift in our nation's approach to occupational injury preparedness.


Both aluminum alloy and composite (plastic resin) caps are used because they are less heavy, while composite caps have the added benefit of not conducting heat or cold, thus enhancing internal foot comfort. (Wolverine Brand photo)

Comfort, Quality, Durability: Keys to Effective Protection

By Roger Huard

Not all occupational footwear that is protective involves formal ASTM ratings and testing procedures. Three of the most important of these are waterproof, insulated, and slip-resistant footwear.


It has been proven that companies with higher employee engagement often outperform their competitors.

Safety Communications for Today's Workforce

By Steven Chang

In order for this transition to take place, companies cannot pick and choose which safety procedures to enforce—consistency is key.


When the work is challenging and days at height are long, worker satisfaction greatly depends on how comfortable they are, both on the job and once they have returned home at the end of the day. (Capital Safety photo)

Workers Not Always Using Their Fall Protection Equipment?

By Tim Thompson

Here's how companies can improve workers' safety harness compliance.


Health effects of breathing welding fumes include eye, nose, and throat irritation; possible lung damage; various types of cancer; kidney and nervous system damage; and suffocation when oxygen-displacing gases are involved in welding in confined or enclosed spaces.

Keep An Eye on Welding PPE

By Jerry Laws

The OSHA mandatory standard specifies both eye protection and protective clothing for welders.


This photo is a complete view of the DFTO system. (Dürr Systems, Inc. photo)

How Thermal Oxidation Can Increase the Sustainability of a Chemical Plant

By Jon Hommes

For this manufacturer of organic chemicals operating many smaller processes, a single centralized thermal oxidizer system was the most cost-effective path to expand production while meeting new emission controls requirements.


Production Materials Become Hazardous Waste Practically Overnight—EPA's Perspective on Abandoned Commercial Chemical Products

By Paul Simonetta

EPA has made checklists available to the regulated community, including the associated guidance regarding abandoned CCPs.


Departments

Safety Precautions Always—Even When the Cameras Roll

By Jerry Laws

A spokesman for HSE said, "By law, employers must take reasonable steps to protect workers—this is as true on a film set as a factory floor."


Recasting Advanced Cultural Leadership

By Robert Pater

Set your own and others' expectations that cultural change is a process.


Controlling the Climate of Safety Culture

By Shawn M. Galloway

Commitment, caring, cooperation, and coaching can all be observed. If employees do not see progress in these four areas, the safety culture will never grow toward excellence.


Artificial Intelligence