Harnessing the Sun to Power Saf-T-Gard and Help Keep Workers and the Environment Safe

With a rich history of service that spans more than 90 years of bringing workers home safely, Saf-T-Gard is proud to share its dedication to protecting both people and the planet by announcing the next level in the company's green initiatives.

As part of our 90^th anniversary celebration, Saf-T-Gard held a formal ribbon cutting ceremony “Solarbration” on June 24^th to announce the completion of our new rooftop solar power system installation. Employees gathered to hear remarks from Saf-T-Gard CEO Richard Rivkin, Talia Grossman from the Office of Congressman Brad Schneider, Kathi Quinn of the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce, and Christopher Gersch, CEO of Verde Solutions, as they reflected on the company's legacy and its continued commitment to sustainability. As a family-owned business in its 4^th generation of ownership, Saf-T-Gard continues to demonstrate that long-term safety, success, and sustainability go hand in hand.

Saf-T-Gard’s commitment goes far beyond solar. Several years ago, we replaced our building lighting with LED systems that generally save 50-60% on energy costs together with longer life and lower maintenance. More recently, we replaced our HVAC system with more energy-efficient equipment.

We bale our scrap corrugated cardboard suitable for recycling.

Our Voltgard^® Test Lab also generates scrap rubber from gloves, blankets, sleeves, etc., that are no longer safe for use. Rather than dump more than 200,000 pounds of scrap rubber into a landfill, we send them to a rubber recycler that grinds them up for playground surfaces and sports field underlayment.

The addition of a 331.7 kW rooftop solar system featuring 567 solar panels is another meaningful investment in a cleaner future. Over the next 30 years, the system is expected to generate nearly 11.7 million kWh of clean electricity and offset approximately 7,856 metric tons of CO₂ emissions.

Our 90-year history is a great story and our future is even brighter with the investments we’ve made in protecting the planet.

The Gard’s Got It!

GET IT AT THE GARD: Did you know Saf‑T‑Gard carries PIP Safety Helmets?

Saf-T-Gard is a full-line supplier of safety products and personal protective equipment (PPE). Shop our comprehensive selection and use promo code THEGARD for 15% off sitewide savings!

Click here to shop the PIP Safety Helmets online, or call customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information or to place an order.

Vendor Product Spotlight: Safeguard Compass Pro™ CE60-PRO Personal Voltage and Current Detector

By utilizing innovative technology, the Compass Pro^™ CE60-PRO Personal Voltage and Current Detector detects arc flash, directionality of current and voltage, falls, impacts to the head, no movement, and activation of the SOS button for comprehensive safety monitoring. In the event of an emergency, the Compass Pro^™ CE60-PRO Personal Voltage and Current Detector acts as a lifeline, offering step-by-step guidance and facilitating quick emergency response - packed into an intuitive interface and user-friendly design. The web app portal offers real-time safety monitoring and emergency alerts for situations like man-down incidents, head impacts, and falls. Key features include a customizable dashboard, user management, and mobile accessibility for efficient field monitoring.

Additional features and benefits include the following:

Empower your team's safety with the Compass Pro^™ CE60-PRO Personal Voltage and Current Detector – where cutting-edge technology meets peace of mind. Stay ahead of emergencies and protect what matters most.

Click here to shop the Compass Pro^™ CE60-PRO Personal Voltage and Current Detector online, or call customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information or to place an order.

What’s Driving Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Decisions in 2026?

Now in its 4^th year, this collaborative research initiative between ISEA and J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. uncovers the biggest challenges safety professionals face in personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance, training, purchasing, and workforce participation.

Here's what the 2026 study reveals:

Saf-T-Gard Can Help Eliminate These Pain Points

The first "P" in "PPE" stands for "Personal," and no one understands this better than Saf-T-Gard International, Inc. As a family‑owned and operated global supplier of industrial safety products now in our 4^th generation of ownership, Saf-T-Gard has been bringing workers home safely since 1936 with our finest-quality selection of safety products and PPE, and we can do the same for you.

Today, Saf-T-Gard carries on the tradition that was started more than 90 years ago: Bringing customers the products, training, and service they need to keep employees safe in the workplace. Our mission is "To provide, based on our experience, expertise, and understanding of our customer's requirements, solutions to their needs for industrial safety products and PPE of the finest world-class quality, appropriate and suitable for the purposes intended, that provide value, safety, and security."

Saf-T-Gard is an active member of the National Safety Council (NSC), the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), and the AD Safety Network and provides thousands of solutions from recognized brand names, in addition to its renowned line of proprietary brands. Saf-T-Gard actively operates the Voltgard^® Test Lab, one of the largest, independent, NAIL4PET-accredited test labs for rubber insulating products in the United States.

Saf-T-Gard offers tens of thousands of products spanning the full range of PPE and facility safety, from the world’s leading manufacturers, including PIP Global Safety, Justrite, Salisbury, DuPont, 3M, Cordova Safety Products, Superior Glove, Moldex, Ansell, Allegro, SHOWA, SureWerx, Tingley, Master Lock, Pyramex, Sqwincher, CoreTex, First Aid Only, Ergodyne, Radians, and FyterTech Nonwovens, in addition to Saf-T-Gard’s exclusive brands. Saf-T-Gard serves customers in all 50 states and in more than 50 countries around the world.

Saf-T-Gard has received numerous awards, including Illinois Family Business of the Year, United States Department of Commerce President’s “E” Award for Export Excellence, AD-Affiliated Distributors Safety Network Gold Star's Distributor Award and Peak Performance Distributor Award. Saf-T-Gard is an active member of the National Safety Council (NSC), the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) Worker Safety Committee, the North American Independent Laboratories for Protective Equipment Testing (NAIL4PET), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International), IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), and AD-Affiliated Distributors Safety Network.

The Saf-T-Gard and Voltgard^® team has more than 100 combined years of safety expertise, focusing on industrial and electrical safety. Our team includes ASTM Voting Members, OSHA 30-hour trained safety professionals, Qualified Safety Sales Professionals (QSSP), and NFPA 70E trained safety professionals. The expertise and experience of our team can be an extension of your team when you partner with Saf-T-Gard on your company’s safety program.

Click here to shop our comprehensive worker safety solutions online, or call customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information or to place an order or with any additional questions on how we can assist you in your worker safety program.

Shop Saftgard.com for 20% Savings

This promotion is valid on web orders only. Limit one per customer. Additional exclusions may apply.

The Smart, Simple, and Speedy Way to Shop for Safety Products Online Today!

Watch the FREE Saf-T-Gard and PIP Global Safety Rubber Insulating Gloves 101: Safety, Compliance, and OSHA Requirements Webinar ON DEMAND

OSHA rules and the NFPA 70E standard require the use of rubber insulating products when even the smallest probability of contact with 50 volts AC or higher exists. Regardless of the heavy fines, serious injuries, and deaths that occur from arc flash and electrical incidents, compliance continues to remain an issue. What’s even more shocking is that many workers are not using rubber insulating equipment because they don’t know they need it.

Electrical safety is not only a concern for utility workers or electrical contractors. In reality, almost every single facility has a need for electrical safety – whether the company is a larger facility with building engineers overseeing distribution, or a smaller facility with maintenance staff working on or around floor or wall sockets. Nowadays, maintenance staff, janitorial staff, facilities staff, and equipment operators all risk exposure to electrical shock. As such, education and awareness for use of rubber insulating equipment are critical.

While the best way to prevent arc flash and electrical incidents from happening is to de-energize equipment before beginning work, there are instances where turning off the power could create an even greater hazard. As such, employers and facility owners must establish safe practices to protect their workers against arc flash and electrical incidents including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

One topic that is often not discussed in detail is the need for rubber insulating gloves where a shock hazard exists from exposure to energized equipment.

Join electrical safety experts featuring Richard Rivkin, 
Saf-T-Gard CEO, Chairman of the Board, and founder of the Voltgard^® Test Lab, as they examine the greater need for rubber insulating gloves and the requirements for in-service inspection and care for continued safety, compliance, and cost savings.

Learning Objectives:

Five Safety Tips

1. SUMMERTIME SAFETY STRATEGY - Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day and supplementing with electrolyte replacement beverages when working in hot, humid conditions or performing strenuous tasks.

2. SUMMERTIME SAFETY STRATEGY - Schedule physically demanding work during the cooler parts of the day whenever possible, and take regular rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas to help prevent heat-related illnesses.

3. SUMMERTIME SAFETY STRATEGY - Protect your skin from harmful UV rays by applying a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, wearing UV-blocking safety eyewear, and using a full-brim hard hat or sunshade when working outdoors.

4. SUMMERTIME SAFETY STRATEGY - Watch for the signs of heat exhaustion—heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, headache, or muscle cramps—and take immediate action by moving to a cool area, hydrating, and seeking medical attention if symptoms worsen.

5. SUMMERTIME SAFETY STRATEGY - Summer storms can develop quickly. Stop outdoor work involving ladders, scaffolds, or elevated work platforms when lightning is present, and never seek shelter under isolated trees or near metal structures.

Visit with Saf-T-Gard

Chicagoland Safety, Health & Environmental Conference - Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Central Time), Northern Illinois University, Naperville, IL, Booth #TBD

The Battery Show & Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo - Tuesday, October 13, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), and Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), Huntington Place, Detroit, MI, Booth #6516

iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo - Tuesday, November 3, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Mountain Time), and Wednesday, November 4, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Mountain Time), Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa, Glendale, AZ, Booth #614

Question – How often should rubber insulating gloves be re-tested?

Answer - Once placed into service, there are periodic re-test intervals specified in the ASTM F496 Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves. Previously, section 7 of ASTM F496 was subject to interpretation and misunderstanding regarding the maximum test interval for either new rubber insulating gloves or in-service rubber insulating gloves.

With the way section 7.1 of the previous version was worded, it was unclear if the user of new gloves (never put into service) had up to 18 months’ service based on the reference to 12 months from previous test plus 6 months until the re-test date.

In 2024, ASTM Committee F18 (Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers) addressed this issue with an update to the ASTM standard clarifying the difference between new gloves (reference 7.1.1) and gloves previously put into service (reference 7.1.2).

The most critical change is the clear statement: “In no case can a glove or sleeve be used beyond 12 months of the test date.”

With the addition of Sections 7.1 and 7.2, the usage window for rubber insulating gloves is now more clearly defined. For example, if gloves are tested on January 1^st and stored in accordance with Section 8.6, they can be issued for use at any point in the calendar year. If issued in March, they can be used for up to 6 months, requiring re-testing in September.

So, it is now clear that rubber insulating gloves, whether new or previously issued (“in-service”) need to be electrically tested 6 months from the issue date or 12 months from the last test date – whichever comes first.

Saf-T-Gard Spotlight

Karl Henke is our Operations Manager, and he joined Saf-T-Gard in 2011.

What Karl likes about Saf-T-Gard:

"Being part of a company that provides safety-related products and services helping keep our customers safe, secure, healthy, and happy."

What makes Karl's day:

"Learning new things about our business and industry while working with a talented group of co-workers in coordinated efforts to exceed our customers' expectations."

Karl's outside interests are:

"Working on my house and yard. Restoring my classic car and keeping it in top-notch condition."

Anything else?

"I enjoy spending time with my family and friends."

Don't Overlook Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Inspections

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is your last line of defense—but only if it's in good condition. Before each use, OSHA requires employees to inspect PPE for signs of damage, contamination, or excessive wear that could reduce its protective performance.

Items such as safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, fall protection equipment, and protective footwear should be checked for cracks, tears, frayed straps, punctures, missing components, or other defects. Damaged PPE should be removed from service immediately and replaced according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

OSHA's Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR 1910.132) requires employers to provide appropriate PPE, ensure it is properly maintained, and train employees on its correct use and limitations.

A quick pre-use inspection takes only a few moments but can help prevent serious injuries, reduce downtime, and ensure compliance. Remember: PPE can't protect you if it isn't ready for the job.

As I See It

It’s July 2026, and let’s get personal. We never forget that the first “P” in “PPE” is “Personal,” so we should explore the many ways to make it personal.

Forget about “one size fits all” or even “one size fits most.” To paraphrase a lawyer that I once saw on TV, “If it doesn’t fit, you must quit (using that product)!” Simply stated, personal protective equipment (PPE) that fits too tight will be uncomfortable and just will not be worn. And PPE that fits too loose is a safety hazard because it can get caught in machinery or equipment. That’s why modern PPE either comes in a full range of sizes or, in some cases like head protection, is adjustable to fit different sizes. OSHA regulations explicitly require that PPE properly fit the worker.

But wait, there’s more. For protective apparel, employers must provide PPE that properly fits every individual worker. Sizing can no longer rely on average male dimensions; gear must accommodate narrower shoulders, shorter torsos, smaller hands, and varying body shapes to prevent hazards like snagging. That means selecting protective clothing designed to fit women. That means selecting protective eyewear and respirators designed to fit different facial shapes and characteristics.

There are even more ways to make it personal. Your company logo can be applied to many products using a variety of techniques and technologies. This can be a terrific way to identify your company on the job, promote your company brand, and even add another layer of control over your company’s equipment and supplies. For some products such as coveralls and arc-flash clothing, workers' names can be embroidered for permanent identification.

And my final comment about making it personal is to remind you that we are real people taking care of every customer order, regardless of whether the order is placed on the phone (we love speaking with customers and solving problems), on our Saftgard.com website 24/7, by mail, by EDI, or by punchout. So, when you’re ready for a fresh, personal approach to safety products and services with experienced eyes on the total costs of safety, give us a call or visit us online at Saftgard.com. Experience matters when it comes to your workers’ safety. That’s us - we are Saf-T-Gard International – Bringing Workers Home Safely Since 1936.

Sincerely,
Richard A. Rivkin, CEO and Chairman of the Board