OSHA recently released a new guidance document called Assigned Protection Factors (APF) that helps employers better understand the requirements of the respiratory standard.

This document clarifies how to use the APF together with the Maximum Use Concentration (MUC) to help select the correct disposable respirators or reusable respirators for workers.

The APF relates to the level of respiratory protection that a respirator will provide when used properly. The APF varies with the type of respirator. For example, a paper dust mask and a half-mask air-purifying respirator both have an APF of 10, whereas a full-face air purifying respirator has an APF of 50.

The MUC is a related number that describes the maximum concentration of a contaminant that a given APR can handle. It is determined by multiplying the APF by the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL), which can be found in the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.

The document also describes proper fit testing procedures, contains medical questionnaires, and outlines proper cleaning procedures for re-usable respirators.

It ’s a great learning tool, and is good background reading for use with OSHA’s Respiratory E-Tool.

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For anyone out there who didn’t think they’d meet the July 2009 deadline for ammending their SPCC Plans, the EPA issued a final rule extending the deadline to January 14, 2010.

In addition, they are accepting comments on whether or not further extension is necessary for facilities to comply.

This accident happened only about three hours from New Pig.

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The global biofuels industry is holding its collective breath. Islamic law may forbid biofuels made from ethanol, a type of alcohol, which Muslims may not buy, sell, carry, serve, drink or manufacture.

It’s not certain yet. Exceptions are sometimes made for functional uses, such as medicinal alcohol.

That would be a big blow to the global biofuels market. Muslims may comprise over 20% of the world population.

I recently read an article about how the states of Ohio and Michigan are encouranging residents to purchase water barrels to collect rainwater for watering their plants, trees and shrubs.

Kudos to the states for encouraging these efforts and offering the barrels at a discounted rate. Every little bit of conservation helps!

But let’s take this one step further. Instead of paying for a new water-collection container—which is essentially an open-head 55-gallon drum with a fitting and hose in the bottom third of the drum—why not check with local businesses to see if any of them happen to have any leftover drums?

Drums are a huge source of waste for facilities, and in many cases, they will gladly give them out to anyone willing to haul them. (Just make sure that they’ve been well rinsed of any chemical residues!)

After you’ve filled the bed of your best buddy’s pickup truck, head to your preferred home improvement mecca and purchase a good length of hose, hose barbs, a couple of gaskets, a hole saw and a threaded fitting, and for a few bucks, you’ve got an entire herd of rain collection barrels that are likely to look identical to the $89.95 model advertised.

While you’re going green, the Joneses across the street will be green with envy.

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At New Pig, we value everyone’s safety. Since we’ve had some blog posts about biodiesel fuel, and because we’ve been hearing from more and more customers and do-it-yourselfers who are embarking on the adventure of making biodiesel, I wanted to give some quick notes on using absorbents with biodiesel and its components.

Biodiesel, vegetable-based oils and other components of biodiesel have a tendency toward spontaneous combustion when mixed with common spill cleanup products, so whether you’re using absorbent mats, wipers, rags, paper towels, cellulose absorbents, sawdust, clay, or chicken feathers, KEEP THE SPENT, SATURATED ABSORBENTS IN CLOSED CONTAINERS.

That means sealed drums, containers with tight-sealing lids, ziplock bags with the air squeezed out … There are lots of options out there.

Keeping the container or bag sealed limits the amount of oxygen reaching the soaked absorbents and helps minimize fire risks.

Whenever possible, store saturated absorbents in areas where they are not likely to create a structure fire, and arrange for prompt disposal through proper channels. Your local solid or hazardous waste authority should be able to offer suitable methods for proper disposal. If not, give Safety-Kleen a call.

Note that PIG® Absorbent Mats are made of 100% polypropylene and our PIG® BLUE Absorbent Socks have a polypropylene skin and vermiculite filler. Neither polypropylene nor vermiculite will support combustion. However, that doesn’t mean that absorbing something into them makes the resulting mixture safe.

Absorbents - ours and everyone else’s - take on the properties of the liquids that they absorb, so if you absorb a flammable liquid or one prone to spontaneous combustion into absorbents, you need to store, handle and dispose of the absorbents with the same precautions as the liquid.

In the case of hazardous materials, that means closed containers. New Pig offers open-head funnels and latching drum lids that can help facilitate quick, easy handling of wastes stored in steel drums. We also have products to help you safely collect and store liquid wastes. All are designed for ease of use and will help your facility stay cleaner and safer.

Posted in Leak & spill control, Safety By Karen

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