Saf-T-Gard Powers Its Next 90 Years with New Solar Rooftop Installation |
For 90 years, Saf-T-Gard International, Inc. has built its business around one enduring purpose: helping protect people. Now, as the fourth-generation family-owned company celebrates nine decades of bringing workers home safely, it is building on that commitment with another significant investment in a safer, more sustainable future.
Saf-T-Gard recently completed the installation of a 331.7 kW-DC rooftop solar energy system at its Northbrook, Illinois, headquarters in partnership with Verde Solutions. Featuring 567 solar modules and four inverters, the system represents the latest step in a series of sustainability initiatives designed to reduce energy consumption, minimize waste, and operate more responsibly.
Over its projected 30-year lifespan, the system is expected to generate approximately 11.7 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity while offsetting an estimated 7,856 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. A Commitment That Goes Beyond Solar
While the rooftop solar installation represents an important milestone, Saf-T-Gard’s commitment to sustainability began well before the first solar panel was installed. Several years ago, Saf-T-Gard replaced its facility lighting with energy-efficient LED systems, which generally provide significant energy savings along with longer operating life and reduced maintenance requirements. More recently,
Saf-T-Gard replaced its HVAC system with newer, more energy-efficient equipment. Saf-T-Gard also bales scrap corrugated cardboard suitable for recycling, helping divert additional material from the waste stream.
One of Saf-T-Gard’s most distinctive sustainability initiatives, however, comes directly from its electrical safety operations. Saf-T-Gard’s Voltgard® Test Lab regularly tests rubber insulating gloves, blankets, sleeves, and other electrical protective equipment to help ensure these critical products continue to provide the protection workers depend on. Products that fail testing or have reached the end of their safe service life can no longer be used for electrical protection. Rather than sending that material to a landfill, Saf-T-Gard works with a rubber recycler that grinds the retired rubber for reuse in applications such as playground surfaces and sports-field underlayment. Through this initiative, more than 200,000 pounds of scrap rubber have been diverted from landfills and given a useful second life.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate that Saf-T-Gard’s investment in solar is not an isolated project, but part of a broader commitment to responsible operations, resource conservation, and long-term sustainability. Celebrating the Milestone
To commemorate the completion of the rooftop solar project, Saf-T-Gard and Verde Solutions hosted a “Solarbration” at Saf-T-Gard’s Northbrook headquarters, bringing together company leadership, employees, business and community leaders, project partners, and government representatives. Attendees heard remarks from Saf-T-Gard Chairman and CEO Richard Rivkin; Christopher Gersch, CEO of Verde Solutions; Kathi Quinn of the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce; and Talia Grossman from the Office of U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider. The celebration recognized not only the successful completion of the solar installation, but also the shared commitment of Saf-T-Gard and Verde Solutions to responsible business practices and investments capable of delivering benefits well into the future.
Protecting Today. Investing in Tomorrow.
Founded in Chicago in 1936, Saf-T-Gard has grown from its beginnings as the Latex Glove Company into a global supplier of personal protective equipment (PPE), industrial, and electrical safety products, facility safety solutions, and first aid. Through four generations of family ownership, one principle has remained constant: a commitment to helping protect people.
Today, that responsibility increasingly extends to how
Saf-T-Gard operates its business and prepares for the future. As Saf-T-Gard celebrates 90 years of bringing workers home safely, its history provides plenty to look back on - but its investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and waste reduction provide even more reason to look forward. |
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Being prepared for workplace injuries and emergencies is an important part of any job and National Preparedness Month is the perfect time to review your plans, procedures, and safety supplies.
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First Aid Only® offers first aid products that help keep essential medical supplies organized, accessible, and ready when they’re needed. Having the right first aid resources readily available helps workers respond quickly to common workplace injuries and emergencies.
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Whether you need individual supplies or fully-stocked first aid stations, First Aid Only® makes it easier to keep your workplace prepared.
- From head to toe and floor to ceiling, Saf-T-Gard delivers the safety solutions you need to get the job done safely.
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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 First Aid Only® First Aid Kits, Stations & Supplies online, or call customer service at
1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information or to place an order. |
OSHA Reveals Top 10 Workplace Safety Violations for 2026 |
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced its most frequently cited workplace safety standards for fiscal year 2026, highlighting hazards that continue to put workers at risk across industries.
The annual Top 10 list was unveiled during the 2026 NSC Safety Congress & Expo. The preliminary data are based on OSHA inspections conducted during fiscal year 2026 and help employers identify persistent workplace hazards, prioritize improvements, and strengthen safety programs. The Top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards are: |
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Fall Protection - General Requirements (1926.501): 4,041 violations. Fall protection topped the list for the 16th consecutive year. OSHA found workers without fall protection in residential construction as well as unprotected sides, edges, and holes.
- Hazard Communication (1926.1200): 1,961 violations. Common problems included having no hazard communication program, inadequate employee training, and failures involving safety data sheets.
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Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 1,863 violations. Some employers lacked procedures, while others had procedures that workers were no longer following. OSHA also found missing periodic inspections and inadequate training for authorized employees.
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Scaffolding (1926.451): 1,725 violations. OSHA inspectors encountered missing or inadequate guardrails, scaffolds that were not fully decked, and inadequate foundations or supports.
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Ladders (1926.1053): 1,659 violations. Violations included ladders that did not extend three feet above landing surfaces, ladders used for purposes for which they were not designed, defective ladders, and employees working from top steps. Roofing, framing, and siding contractors were among the industries cited.
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Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 1,608 violations. Missing medical evaluations, fit testing, and training were common problems. OSHA also encounters employers using the wrong respiratory protection for a hazard. Masonry contractors, auto-body shops, and machine shops were among the workplaces where violations occurred.
- Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 1,379 violations. Training and evaluation were recurring issues, as was failing to provide refresher training when needed. OSHA also encountered defective equipment and missed daily or shift inspections. Warehousing, framing contractors, and machine shops were among the industries where OSHA saw violations.
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Fall Protection - Training Requirements (1926.503): 1,273 violations. Common problems included employees receiving no training, new workers beginning work before being trained, missing elements in training, and a lack of certification.
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Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment - Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,120 violations. OSHA commonly encountered workers without eye and face protection, without side protection, or wearing eyewear that did not meet applicable specifications. Problems were particularly prevalent among framing, roofing, siding, and masonry contractors and in residential construction and renovation.
- Machine Guarding (1910.212): Machine guarding ranked lowest in the Top 10 with 1,072 violations.
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Although each of the Top 10 categories received fewer citations than the previous year, the rankings continue to highlight persistent workplace risks that require attention.
Saf-T-Gard has been bringing workers home safely for more than 90 years, and we can do the same for you! Click here to shop more than 14 different categories of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety products that can help prevent these OSHA citations and so much more, or call customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information or to place an order.
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New Head Protection Standard Release: See What Changed |
ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2026 is now available. The revised standard gives safety teams a clearer way to identify head protection tested beyond base requirements - supporting smarter choices for today’s jobsites and the workers who rely on them.
The familiar Type and Class system remains in place. What’s new is a clearer way to recognize performance features that employers and safety professionals are increasingly looking for. |
What Changed
More clarity. More confidence. More ways to protect. Here’s what the revision means in plain language: |
- A new “+” designation: A simple way to identify helmets tested beyond the base Type I or Type II requirements.
- Better stay-put performance: Type I+ and Type II+ include required chin straps and added retention testing.
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More directions covered: Type I+ adds force-transmission testing at the front, rear, and sides.
- Added reverse-wear checks: New checks help confirm that “+” head protection stays secure when designed to be worn in reverse.
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Clearer visibility language: High Visibility marking becomes Enhanced Visibility. The performance requirement does not change.
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What Isn’t Changing
The revision does not replace the existing Type and Class system or make current compliant head protection obsolete. Selection should continue to begin with the hazards of the job. Ready to Explore the New Standard?
Review ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2026 and learn how the revision supports modern, hazard-based head protection programs. |
Watch the FREE See and be Seen
High-Visibility Protection for Utility, Transportation, and Public Service Workers Webinar Sponsored by Radians ON DEMAND |
Working around moving traffic, heavy equipment, and changing conditions creates serious struck-by hazards, and the exposure is not limited to highway work. Utility yards, transit facilities, sanitation routes, and temporary roadside stops all put workers close to vehicles and equipment with very little reaction time. A garment can meet ANSI/ISEA 107 and still leave a worker hard to spot once daylight fades, rain starts, or a jacket goes on over the vest. This webinar covers how to select, wear, and maintain
hi-vis apparel so workers stay conspicuous through the full workday. Nicole Novick and Eula Ashby of Radians explain when hi-vis is required and how ANSI/ISEA 107 garment types and performance classes apply to different work environments. They also cover the features that affect comfort, durability, and whether workers accept a garment and keep it on.
What You'll Learn |
- How lighting, weather, traffic speed, background clutter, and worker movement change what it takes to be seen
- How to read a garment label and confirm type, class, and certification before a purchase order goes out
- Why Type O, R, and P matter as much as asking for a Class 2 vest, and how Class E fits into an ensemble
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How sizing, body shape, and gender affect coverage, mobility, and consistent wear
- Which features earn their place on the job, including breakaway construction, mic tabs, D-ring access, and
X-back configurations - The WHERE framework for worker, hazard, environment, requirements, and execution, applied to a water main repair that runs into darkness and rain
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1. BACK TO SAFETY BASICS - HEAD PROTECTION: Inspect hard hats and safety helmets before each use for cracks, dents, damaged suspension components, or other signs that could compromise protection.
2. BACK TO SAFETY BASICS - EYE PROTECTION: Match your safety eyewear to the hazard - flying particles, chemical splash, and optical radiation may require different types of glasses, goggles, or additional face protection.
3. BACK TO SAFETY BASICS - HAND PROTECTION: There’s no one-glove-fits-all solution. Choose protective gloves based on the specific hazards of the job, including cuts, punctures, chemicals, heat, cold, and electrical exposure.
4. BACK TO SAFETY BASICS - FOOT PROTECTION: Safety footwear should address the hazards underfoot as well as overhead - consider impact, compression, puncture, electrical, and slip hazards when selecting protection.
5. BACK TO SAFETY BASICS - HEARING PROTECTION: Earplugs and earmuffs only work when they’re worn correctly. Make sure hearing protection fits properly and provides adequate attenuation for the noise exposure.
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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 - What should employers do with a lithium-ion battery that is damaged, swollen, or overheating?
Answer - Treat it as a potential fire and chemical hazard - not simply as a battery that needs to be replaced.
Lithium-ion batteries are now common in power tools, mobile devices, material-handling equipment, and other rechargeable workplace equipment. While they are generally safe when properly manufactured, used, and maintained, damaged or defective batteries can present fire, explosion, and chemical exposure hazards. OSHA has increasingly called attention to these risks, including through new lithium-ion battery safety information issued in 2025 and 2026.
Workers should be trained to recognize warning signs such as swelling, cracking, unusual odors, leaking, excessive heat, hissing, or other abnormal behavior. A damaged battery should not continue to be used or charged. Employers should follow the battery or equipment manufacturer’s instructions for safely isolating and handling damaged batteries and establish procedures for proper storage and disposal.
Prevention is equally important. OSHA recommends inspecting batteries and battery-powered devices, storing batteries in cool, dry locations, keeping charging operations away from flammable materials, and avoiding exposure to excessive heat. Damaged batteries should be disposed of safely rather than placed into normal workplace trash streams.
Employers should also evaluate where rechargeable batteries are used and stored as part of their overall workplace hazard assessment and emergency planning. |
Jasmine Diep is our Marketing and Sales Operations Coordinator, a newly created position, and her first day with
Saf-T-Gard was September 8, 2026. What Jasmine likes about Saf-T-Gard: “So far, I like the collaborative environment, and it has been so nice meeting everyone. I’m excited to learn more and contribute to Saf-T-Gard!” What makes Jasmine’s day:
"Getting to spend time with my family and my dog." Jasmine’s outside interests: “I love to read (fantasy is my favorite genre), going to new restaurants to try new cuisines/foods, and going on walks in nature preserves.” |
Control the Energy before the Work Begins Turning off a machine isn’t always enough to make it safe.
During servicing and maintenance, unexpected startup or the release of stored energy can cause serious - or fatal - injuries. OSHA’s Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) Standard, 29 CFR 1910.147, establishes requirements for controlling hazardous energy before employees perform servicing or maintenance activities. Before work begins, authorized employees must follow established energy-control procedures. This generally includes shutting down equipment, isolating energy sources, applying lockout or tagout devices, controlling stored or residual energy, and verifying that isolation has been achieved before servicing begins. Hazardous energy isn’t limited to electricity. Equipment may contain mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other forms of energy that must be identified and controlled. |
It’s September 2026, and this month we are asking questions.
If your company safety and health programs are 100% perfect and you and others in management are totally satisfied, then read no further. Otherwise, continue reading.
If your company has enough first aid kits strategically placed throughout your facility (including offices) and all of these first aid kits are properly filled (meaning no gaps and nothing beyond expiration dates) and comply with ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2026, then move on to the next question.
If you also have AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator) strategically placed throughout your facility and the batteries are charged and the pads are current and you have associates trained in CPR and AEDs, then move on to the next question.
If it has been less than a year since an outside resource walked through your facility to ensure your compliance with regulations and best practices for facility safety (safety signs, mirrors, emergency showers and eyewash, and hazardous material storage and spill control), then move on to the next question UNLESS there has been an incident involving facility safety causing an immediate review.
If OSHA’s National Emphasis Program on heat stress causes no worrisome heartburn, then move on to the next question.
If you are totally comfortable (yes, pun intended) with all aspects of your hand protection program including hazard analysis, compliance, comfort, durability, and cost-effectiveness, then move on to the next question.
If you are in full compliance with OSHA and NFPA 70E regarding arc flash hazards (meaning you have had a full analysis of your facility for arc flash hazards and there have been no changes since that analysis), then move on to the final question.
If this all seems overwhelming, we can help. We are Saf-T-Gard International – Bringing Workers Home Safely Since 1936. Sincerely,
Richard A. Rivkin, CEO and Chairman of the Board |
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