Save 20% on the New Moldex® AirWave® M4620 N95 Mask |
- New mask construction offers significantly increased breathability
- Full foam flange creates a soft, comfortable seal
- Can be used against most welding fumes
- FlexFit® design moves easily with your face and stays in place
- Dura-Mesh® shell resists collapsing in heat and humidity
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Soft, cloth SmartStrap® is both HANGABLE and ADJUSTABLE
- Metal-free
- 100% PVC-Free for a greener alternative
- Sold by the package of 10
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As you may or may not know, Respiratory Protection (1910.134) was the second most frequently penalized OSHA standard for FY 2021 with a total of 2,527 respiratory protection violations. OSHA requires in standard 1910.134(a)(2) that “a respirator shall be provided to each employee when such equipment is necessary to protect the health of such employee.”
Saf-T-Gard is simplifying compliance and cost savings by offering a 20% discount on the Moldex® AirWave® M4620 M Series Black Mask when ordered online. The 20% discount can only be applied to the Moldex® AirWave® M4620 M Series Black Mask by entering code “MOL4620” to the “Promotion Code” field in your cart at checkout. This promotion is only redeemable one time per shopper and applies to online orders only. Additional terms and conditions may apply.
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Saf-T-Gard® Voltgard® Emergency Storm Response and Recovery Services |
Weather can be a fierce and unpredictable foe sometimes. Hurricanes, floods, blizzards, ice storms, tornadoes and earthquakes oftentimes strike fast and without warning, leaving regions without power for an extended period of time depending on how quickly lineman crews can be deployed.
Rest assured that when disasters strike, Voltgard® is prepared and available to provide immediate response in supplying the electrical safety needs of your work crew - no matter how big or small - to help ensure a safer and faster recovery for everyone. The safety of your employees is our highest priority. As such, Voltgard® offers a 24/7 storm response hotline for the emergency shipments of rubber insulating products and safety equipment including PPE. Additionally, Voltgard® has one of the largest new rubber goods inventories in the world, available and ready to ship or pickup in a matter of hours. Our centrally located Chicago area location is minutes away from both FedEx and UPS centers and 30 minutes away from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.
Moreover, Voltgard® can also assist you in your pre-event storm planning by supplying the necessary safety equipment in advance, thereby saving you time and money by enabling a more proactive response in times of critical emergencies.
Whatever Mother Nature throws our way, Voltgard® is committed to weathering the storm together by providing unwavering support that lasts before, during and after any natural disaster. Click here, or contact customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information.
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High-Risk Electrical Tasks and Contributing Work Factors |
Electrical work is a dangerous job with many hazards, including electrocution. Preventing injury or death requires planning before beginning a potentially dangerous task.
Electrical construction is identified as a high-risk trade, and electricians accounted for about 8% of all fatalities in the construction industry in 2019 (BLS, 2021). Electrical operations are typically highly technical and complex, and electricians can be exposed to various hazards that can lead to injuries and fatalities. Electrocution is known as one of the leading causes of fatalities in electrical construction as well as other trades (OSHA, 2011). Other analyses report contact with overhead power lines, faulty wiring, contact with energized equipment, improper PPE and faulty construction tools as the leading causes of occupational injuries involving electric shock (Casini,1993; Doan, 2019; Hinze et al., 1998).
A NIOSH-supported research team at CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training, in collaboration with 10 experts representing electrical contractors, unions, and trade associations, recently developed a study aimed at identifying the electrical tasks that posed the highest risk for injury. The study showed that 10 electrical tasks posed the greatest risk of injury to workers: |
- Demolishing or removing electrical equipment
- Performing site work, layout, and logistics
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Preparing ground for underground electrical installations
- Working with pull cables and wires
- Performing lockout/tagout (LOTO)—a procedure to ensure that equipment is shut off and cannot be restarted improperly
- Operating trucks with boom lifts or standalone lifts
- Producing openings for conduit and electrical lines
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Installing new electrical equipment
- Performing preventive maintenance on electrical equipment
- Energizing electrical equipment
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Within each of these high-risk electrical tasks, the study identified numerous contributing factors. For example, factors that increase the risk of injury when installing new electrical equipment include tight workspaces, improper coordination of overhead work, and uncomfortable personal protective equipment.
The findings from this study can help inform additional, larger studies. A useful next step would be to develop an online system that contains task-specific information and proven controls, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), to lessen hazards.
When your workers’ lives are on the line, don’t trust just anyone with their safety. Now in its 5th decade of operations, the Saf-T-Gard® Voltgard® Electrical Safety Division has established its reputation as the premier, single-source supplier of superior electrical safety products and services across all industries requiring arc flash and electrical safety compliance and protection. As a leading manufacturer, distributor and tester of electrical safety products, Voltgard® is dedicated to serving industries where worker safety and protection from electrical shock are critically important. Our vast selection of electrical safety includes arc flash and electrical protection clothing and kits, arc-rated daily wear, hoods, hard hats, faceshields and accessories, flame-resistant/Hi-Viz apparel, rubber insulating gloves, leather protector gloves, electrical glove accessories, rubber insulating sleeves, rubber insulating blankets and matting, rubber insulating blanket accessories and storage, line hose, hoods and connectors, hot sticks, hooks and accessories, detectors, testers and meters, grounding and jumpers, insulated tools, and electrical testing services for your total compliance. Click here to shop our electrical safety products online, or call customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) for more information or to place an order
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Put Safety in Sight with the Right Winter Eyewear |
To stay safe in the cold, workers often focus on precautions like gloves, boots, hats and layered clothing. But there’s another piece of cold-weather equipment that’s often overlooked: eye protection. Review these eyewear tips to keep workers safe, comfortable and productive in the cold. KEY RISKS Outdoor work in the winter can expose the eyes to: |
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Low temperatures, which can cause pain, blurred vision or double vision.
- Wind, which can blow snow, rain and debris into the eyes.
- Glare from snow, ice and other reflective surfaces, which can impair vision and cause eye fatigue.
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THE BEST EQUIPMENT FOR THE JOB
For cold-weather work, goggles and sealed eyewear offer three main advantages: |
- Anti-fog coating - Lens fogging can be a common problem. Look for advanced anti-fog coating that will survive extended wear and repeated cleaning.
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Industrial certification - Do not attempt to use regular ski goggles for industrial safety. Instead, ensure you are using safety goggles and sealed eyewear that meet the ANSI Z87.1-2015 standard for impact protection.
- Safety from particles - Safety goggles and sealed eyewear form a seal on the face, protecting the eyes from windblown particles like dust and snow.
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HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT EYEWEAR For maximum protection and comfort, look for these characteristics: |
- Extra face coverage - Goggles and sealed eyewear create a shield for the eyes, forehead and upper cheeks, providing warmth and coverage in the cold.
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Comfortable fit with other PPE - Most goggles and sealed eyewear have wide and/or adjustable headbands to fit many head sizes, while keeping the lens secure on the face. The headband can also be used over hats, hoods or other head protection.
- Features for clear vision - Prevent fogging with a premium anti-fog lens coating that does not wash off, as well as vented frames that create airflow.
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Tinted lenses - Choose goggles and sealed eyewear with optional lens tinting to reduce brightness from sun and glare.
- Soft foam - For warmth and comfort all shift long, find frames with soft, dense foam around the face.
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Saf-T-Gard carries a comprehensive selection of Honeywell Eye Protection products, including safety glasses and safety goggles in a variety of different styles. Click here to shop them online or call customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information or to place an order. |
Watch the FREE Hughes Emergency Safety Showers: The Challenges of Providing Tepid Water in Any Climate Webinar ON DEMAND |
Emergency safety showers are designed to keep workers safe from chemical hazards while on the job. To avoid further injury to users, emergency safety showers must provide a steady stream of tepid water – not too hot, not too cold, but just right. Unfortunately, this is challenging in some climates. Join Mike Bolden of Hughes Safety Showers North America, as he shares insight on how to overcome these challenges to ensure the safety of your workers.
Topics of this webinar include: |
- What are the challenges?
- What are the requirements?
- What are the costs involved?
- What are the delivery methods to consider?
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What solutions best fit your situation?
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Click here to register and watch the FREE webinar ON DEMAND today. |
| Shop Saftgard.com - The Smart, Simple and Speedy Way to Shop for Safety Online Today! |
Saftgard.com makes it easier than ever for visitors to find exactly what they are looking for by utilizing a guided navigation layout with a fully-optimized “smart” search engine. The responsive design enables use and access to more than 6,000 products with enhanced product content and imagery on your PC, smart phone or tablet.
Moreover, existing Saf-T-Gard customers can link their account to a new Saftgard.com web login to review ALL past orders and invoices, create a “wish list” of favorite items, save carts to simplify the ordering/reordering process and so much more! Buyers without an existing Saf-T-Gard account can register for one online, or they can still search, browse and order on Saftgard.com without a Saf-T-Gard account.
We invite you to spend a few minutes at Saftgard.com, and if you haven't already, please register for an account to enable online ordering.
Click here for a shortcut to the registration page, and click here for detailed instructions on how to link your Saf-T-Gard account to a Saftgard.com web login.
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1. I RESOLVE IN 2023...to reduce both the number and rate of occupational injuries and illnesses where I work
2. I RESOLVE IN 2023...to be pro-active, not reactive, in addressing worker safety and health 3. I RESOLVE IN 2023...to consider safety products not as commodities but as the specialized equipment necessary to protect our most valuable assets - our workers
4. I RESOLVE IN 2023...to invest in saving lives through CPR training and acquiring automated external defibrillators for our company 5. I RESOLVE IN 2023...to extend the safety commitment to my home and family |
Question - What are OSHA's requirements in the Personal Protective Equipment standard as it pertains to employees exposed to cold weather. Specifically, it appears that there were no objective standards for cold weather gear, from any of the consensus standard organizations, on which to base a PPE hazard assessment.
Answer - The PPE standard for hand protection, 29 CFR 1910.138, specifies the selection criteria to be used when providing hand protection. However, unlike the other PPE standards for eye and face, head and foot protection, the hand protection regulation does not specify criteria for the actual equipment to be provided to employees.
The standard states "Employers shall base the selection of the appropriate hand protection on an evaluation of the performance characteristics of the hand protection relative to the tasks to be performed, conditions present, duration of use, and the hazards and potential hazards identified." As stated in paragraph 2 of Appendix B, Assessment and selection, "It should be the responsibility of the safety officer to exercise common sense and appropriate expertise to accomplish these tasks."
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Mary Parsley is a member of the Saf-T-Gard Sales Team and joined Saf-T-Gard more than 12 years ago. What Mary likes about Saf-T-Gard:
"We have a great mix of people with various levels of knowledge within the industry - so you learn something new every day. Everyone is very helpful." What makes Mary's day: "Taking care of the customer and knowing we provide products and services that help to keep them safe." Mary's outside interests are: "Spending time with family and friends - reading, walking, and bike riding." Anything else: "Being a grandparent has been wonderful and at this time I have 3 beautiful grandchildren!" |
"Do OSHA requirements prohibit an employee from wearing a cap, scarf, or other item on his/her head, for purposes of cold weather protection, while wearing a hard hat?"
OSHA 1926.100 provides, in part...Helmets for the protection of employees against impact and penetration of falling and flying objects shall meet the specifications contained in American National Standards Institute, Z89.1 [and] Z89.2...ANSI defines winter liners specifically designed for use with hard hats.
The use of the terms "accessories" and "winter liners" indicate that these ANSI standards permit the use of cold weather liners that are specifically designed for use with hard hats - that is, specifically designed to be compatible with the protective properties of the helmets. Therefore, use of a "winter liner" specifically designed to be compatible with the hard hat's protective properties is not prohibited.
Garments not specifically designed for use with hard hats in contrast, if the use of a garment were to detract from the hard hat's protective properties, it may no longer meet the specification requirements in these ANSI standards. If that were the case, its use would violate §1926.100.
It is unlikely that an employer would be able to determine whether a garment not specifically designed to be compatible with a hard hat's protective properties, in fact, compromised those properties.
Consequently, as a practical matter, an employer typically would not be able to ascertain if its use violated §1926.100. Therefore, [OSHA] recommend[s] that employers permit only liners that are specifically designed to be compatible with the protective properties of the hard hat. |
It is January 2023 and we’re settling down after celebrating the New Year. I have written about New Year resolutions in the past, so we’ll leave that thread alone this year. For 10 decades, Saf-T-Gard International has been committed to safety - specifically worker safety. So let’s take a step back and explore the different aspects of industrial safety.
Our legacy expertise is in the safety you wear. Our company started supplying work gloves and over the decades our product range has expanded to include head-to-toe personal protective equipment, i.e. head protection to footwear and everything in between. And, for the benefit of our customers, we have kept up with (and often are at the forefront of) new technologies in materials and manufacturing to continually improve the performance and protection of the products we represent and recommend.
We must also consider the safety around you. That means recognizing that facility safety is important for a safe work environment. Simply stated, facility safety includes safety signage, first aid kits and supplies (including defibrillators), hazardous materials storage and clean-up, and traffic safety products like safety mirrors and traffic cones.
And certainly we cannot lose sight of the safety you are. Internal policies and procedures and work rules and training must include developing and reinforcing a safety mindset among your workforce. Including the actual users of safety products as stakeholders in developing a culture of safety generally leads to positive attitudes, greater awareness, and potentially a reduction in lost-time accidents and injuries.
Interested in a fresh set of eyes and ears to assist with your safety program? When it comes to the different aspects of safety, we’re here to help, because we are Saf-T-Gard International - Bringing Workers Home Safely Since 1936. Sincerely,
Richard A. Rivkin, Saf-T-Gard CEO and Chairman of the Board |
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