Some workers hate earplugs. They find them a constant irritation.

Now imagine wearing the despised earplugs and suffering hearing damage anyway—though the product is perfect. This article explains some reasons why this can happen:

• Sometimes actual work conditions are beyond the earplugs’ lab rating. Watch for new regulations expected soon that will make an NRR rating a range, rather than a single number, and be aware of the importance of on-site testing.
• Sometimes, earplugs don’t fit properly. The best way to ensure proper fit is qualified one-on-one training, rather than group training only.
• Sometimes, noise or hearing protection levels change without a worker’s realizing it. Newer monitoring technologies include in-ear dosimetry. That gives you continual real-time information on whether noise is being blocked adequately, so you can adjust as needed.

There you go—some tips on getting full benefit from your !@#$% hearing protection!

Image © Stephen Finn – Fotolia.com

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This post’s headline sounds like Family Feud.

BZZZZT! The first family hits the buzzer and says … Chemical splash! That would have to be the top answer, right?

This article (written by one of our eyewash station suppliers, Sperian) names other workplace conditions that often require an eyewash station to be no more than 10 seconds away:

• Pollen
• Allergens
• Dust
• Sawdust
• Smoke

Smoke! Of course that gets in your eyes. Just ask Fred and Ginger.

Image © Christopher Waters – Fotolia.com

It started with an invitation from a girl in 4H. It ended with a pig’s living happily ever after, courtesy of the famous talk show host and former mayor of Porkopolis. Fairy tales do come true!

1. It can be used in conventional, unmodified diesel engines.

2. Its production and use generates about 80% less carbon dioxide emissions and almost 100% less sulphur dioxide than conventional diesel fuel.

3. It smells like popcorn or french fries when burned (mmm, french fries).

4. It will dissolve many paints.

5. It’s as biodegradable as sugar and has 10% the toxicity of table salt. However, biodiesel spills are still subject to EPA regulations and so still require emergency response equipment.

6. A plastic surgeon briefly used liposuction fat to create biodiesel fuel for his car.

Source for items 1-5, supplemented by National Biodiesel Board.

Image © klick – Fotolia.com

Here’s a nice, brief (1:40) video from OSHA Healthcare Advisor showing safe practices related to gloves used in medical settings, such as our nitrile, latex, vinyl, poly, and utility gloves.

Here are some highlights from my latest article in Pollution Engineering Magazine on waste management strategies that can help your facility safely handle wastes and cut disposal costs.

• Keep waste collection points near work areas so workers can immediately handle production wastes.
• Make sure that employees have the necessary tools and equipment for waste collection.
• Clearly label containers to keep wastes segregated as needed (hazardous, recyclables, etc.).
• Minimize waste. For example, use compactors to reduce volume and oil-skimming absorbents and equipment to make production fluids last longer.
• Consider waste exchange programs.
• Involve employees in waste management planning.
• Break in new practices with trial runs.
• Maximize worker buy-in by communicating how new practices increase safety, protect the environment and save money.

Click to see Map-A-Spill

Click to see products for emergency spill response

Click to see Map-A-Spill

Click to see products for emergency spill response

This mock oil spill exercise was a nice idea. Student journalists got to grill the Commissioners for the Falmouth Harbour area in the United Kingdom (see map below) and each side gained valuable media training. No water supplies, industries or wildlife harmed in the process.

I looked for transcripts of the “press conferences” online, to see if spill response equipment came up, but no such luck …

Posted in Emergency response, Environmental By Keith

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