Exel Incorporated, operator of a Palmyra packaging plant owned by the Hershey Company, has been cited by the US Department of Labor for nine safety and health violations, after complaints from the National Guestworker Alliance caused federal investigators to launch an inspection of the facility.
The company plans to fight the findings, pointing out that they mostly involve record-keeping, such as failure to record injuries or illnesses. Proposed penalties total up to $283,000.
When it comes to hazmat response, you have to know that the garment you’re wearing is built to withstand a wide variety of chemical combinations that may crop up in disastrous circumstances. When it comes to general purpose chemical protection apparel, we have found none better than that made from Zytron 500 fabric, manufactured into coveralls, overgarments, and encapsulating suits by Kappler, leaders in patented fabrics, seaming techniques, and garment designs combined to keep the wearer protected against chemical hazards in the workplace.
Level A chemical protection suits require fabric that must be worn for long periods of time, over an air tank and normal clothing, without risk of permeation or weak points that can compromise suit integrity. Zytron 500 fabric by Kappler delivers with double-taped seams that are sewn shut and then sealed via hot air taping on both sides for maximum strength. They are designed to be used with a butyl outer glove and a film liner glove, and use attached sock boots with boot flaps for added protection at normally vulnerable areas. They are tested against a full battery of toxic chemicals – including acetone, sulfuric acid, toluene, ammonia gas, and chlorine gas – with no signs of breakthrough at eight hours of wear. Even the PVC zippers are gas-tight and covered by double storm flaps with hook and loop closures to create a heavy-duty garment that provides maximum peace of mind when worn appropriately.
Chemical protection apparel is used in petrochemical refineries, chemical handling, and refueling operations on a day to day basis, as well as for hazardous material cleanup and hazmat response teams. All need maximum protection against liquid and airborne chemicals that would be harmful or deadly, and a proper hazardous materials suit made of Zytron 500 is an excellent choice for most types of hazard one might face. Contact us at American Work Safety for a 10% discount on your next quantity quote for chemical protection apparel.
A bill that would sharply curb federal government agencies’ ability to develop and issue regulations passed out of the House July 26 mostly along partisan lines. The bill, known as the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act (H.R. 4078) would prohibit most regulatory action until the unemployment rate falls to or below 6 percent; the current rate is 8.2 percent. The bill applies to ‘significant’ regulations that would cost the economy $50 million or more annually. In supporting the bill, Republicans said the bill would help businesses by stopping unnecessary regulations and saving jobs. However, Democrats and safety analysts have warned such restrictions on agencies – including OSHA – could have a negative effect on the workforce and on small businesses, increasing worker safety hazards and lost time due to illness and injury on the job.
A new ASTM standard for protective clothing is being developed by ASTM international, one of the largest international standards development organizations in the world. ASTM standards are accepted and used in research and development, product testing, quality systems, and commercial transactions.
The proposed standard, ASTM WK38096, Test Method for Measuring Transmitted Impact Force Through Materials Used in Protective Clothing, is intended to measure the quality and performance of protective clothing in regards to transmitted impact force, but the subcommittee that is developing the standard is also seeking input from manufacturers of items outside of the standard realm of protective clothing, such as motorcycle gloves.
This new standard was initially proposed because of increases in hand injury for workers in the oil and mining industry, which has led to the development of gloves designed to protect against multiple hazards including transmitted impact force.
Another bit of bad news for firefighters, courtesy of the National Fire Protection Association; a recent batch of ‘live burn’ tests run by the National Institute of Standards and Technology revealed that several styles of widely-used self-contained breathing apparatus common to fire departments are prone to heat-caused lens damage. The NFPA is considering revisions to its testing process for firefighter personal protective equipment and clothing as part of its ongoing code revision process, and will be issuing new performance criteria in its next edition of NFPA 1981, Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services, which NFPA expects to issue later this year.
Just a friendly reminder for anyone working outdoors in high-traffic areas; keep your high-visibility vests or other apparel on and make sure your vest is up to spec. What specs do you need? Per ANSI guidelines:
Class 1 vests are generally designed for workers where traffic does not exceed 25 mph, and there is adequate separation between traffic and worker. For example, parking lot attendants, valets, and warehouse personnel would be required to wear at least a Class 1 vest, although many choose to wear Class 2 vests.
Class 2 vests are designed for individuals operating near roadways where traffic exceeds 25 mph, and where enhanced visibility may be needed in poor weather conditions. Airport ground personnel, highway construction crews on side streets, and traffic safety personnel would all wear Class 2 vests, though some opt for Class 3 vests.
Class 3 vests are designed for maximum worker visibility, and are made for high risk environments where traffic speeds exceed 50 mph, in any weather conditions. Highway construction crews rely on Class 3 vests as a lightweight safety precaution, and many other workers who must venture into high-traffic areas adopt a Class 3 vest or Class 3 work apparel for personal safety reasons.
Of course, you don’t have to work in a high traffic area to want a high-visibility vest; those of us who enjoy walking to work find the experience less hazardous with a good ANSI-rated vest!