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Did you know Saf-T-Gard has a blog on our website, which we post new articles to every three weeks? Authored by subject matter experts, including Richard A. Rivkin, Saf-T-Gard CEO and Chairman of the Board, and the world’s leading safety manufacturers, the blog topics range from hazard identification, regulatory standards, and the latest technologies and innovations in safety to help safety managers, workers and business owners across all industries stay informed, make better decisions and work more efficiently. Whatever safety challenge you face, count on Saf-T-Gard to deliver trusted advice backed by more than 85 years of service.

Click here to browse and read our current selection of blog articles and click here to subscribe to our blog on LinkedIn to be automatically notified when new articles are posted.

Do you have a topic that you would like to see explored in a blog article? Please e-mail LSeminara@saftgard.com.

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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 have not 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.

Five Safety Tips

1. ANTI-NOISE - Disposable, expandable foam earplugs offer convenient, low-cost ear protection.

2. ANTI-NOISE - Pre-molded, reusable earplugs are washable and are often available in different sizes for a better fit.

3. ANTI-NOISE - Canal caps on a headband or neckband offer the lightweight convenience of being able to easily and quickly remove the ear protection when not needed.

4. ANTI-NOISE - Earmuffs come in many different styles, sizes, weights, and profiles.

5. ANTI-NOISE - Earmuffs are also available as a cap-mounted attachment for those who wear safety caps.

Question - “Do inspection tags have to be on the Safety Eyewash/Shower stations or can they be on the door outside of the room? We have wash down areas and the tags get wet and can become unreadable."

Answer - The OSHA standard makes no reference to test tags. Vendors supply them as a convenience for end users with which to monitor and record their weekly testing requirements. It is a way of showing officials that the equipment is being tested as required (for which there is a requirement). As long as they maintain the test records up to date there appears to be nothing in the standard that specifies where they should be kept.

Saf-T-Gard Spotlight

John Lynch is Saf-T-Gard’s Senior Director of Business Development, and he joined the company on February 28, 2022.

What John likes about Saf-T-Gard:

“The people/team are extremely nice, good at what they do and there’s a strong culture of customer service and taking care of the customer at all costs. Everyone says this, however it’s evident that Saf-T-Gard views service as a differentiator and they do everything possible to truly make the customer happy. And that aligns with my personal values and what I strive to do as well.”

What makes John’s day:

"The sun shining and the ability to help someone out. Whether personally or professionally, I enjoy the feel good that comes from truly helping someone and being of assistance to them - be it small or large. And making a large sale of course!"

John’s outside interests:

"Spending time with family, being active/exercising, being outside in nature, playing or watching any type of sports (big SEC Football fan!!), boating and hanging out with good friends."

With regard to lockout/tagout training and requirements, can general awareness training of affected employees and other workers be satisfied and documented with a biennial article in a safety newsletter addressed to each individual employee?

No. The standard, at §1910.147(c)(7)(i)(B) requires that each affected employee be instructed in the purpose and the use of the energy control procedure. Furthermore, §1910.147(c)(7)(i)(C) requires that all other employees, whose work operations are or may be in an area where energy control procedures may be utilized, shall be instructed about the procedure and about attempts to restart or energize machines or equipment which are locked out or tagged out. An article in a newsletter does not provide the specificity required to train the affected and other employees on the use of the energy control procedures particular to their work area. Additionally, if there is a change in their job assignment or there is a change in their equipment or processes that present a new hazard or there is a change in the energy control procedures, the affected employees must receive retraining. See 29 CFR §1910.147(c)(7)(iii)(A). A biennial newsletter would be inadequate in providing this retraining.

Additionally, relying solely on a biennial article in a newsletter for training is problematic in several other ways. First, there is no way to ensure that each affected employee has read and understood the material. Second, this mode of training does not afford employees the opportunity to ask questions when the material is unfamiliar to them or may be ambiguous in certain areas. Industrial operations, and in particular hazardous energy control operations, can involve many complex and potentially hazardous tasks. It is imperative that employees be able to perform such tasks safely. On the other hand, OSHA believes that periodic articles in a newsletter can be used as part of an effective safety and health training program to help satisfy OSHA training requirements, if its content provides employees with appropriate information and knowledge.

As I See It

It is March 2024, and it’s time for my annual baseball spring training analogy. Apologies if you are not a baseball fan, but there may be some good tidbits here anyway.

Spring training is an annual event, and that reminds us that any training program cannot be “one-and-done.” It’s the opportunity for rookies to get some high-level coaching and for veterans to get refresher training. When was the last time your team had training for rookies and veterans? You probably have some specialists (like pitchers) who need specialized training, but what about generalized training (like hitting and fielding) for everyone? Of course, we’re focusing on safety training which should never be that proverbial “one-and-done.” Products change, technology changes, applications change, and personnel change, so regular training should be on your calendar.

Here’s where we can help. Workers need training on all aspects of PPE and facility safety in addition to generalized safety awareness. Consider head protection – what to look for in a safety cap or helmet and how to inspect it to ensure that it is still safe and effective. Consider respiratory protection – respirator selection is as critical as the required medical evaluation and fit-testing. The list goes on – fall protection, electrical safety, hearing protection, etc. Here’s a suggestion – a monthly training calendar with a different topic each month, so in the span of 1 year you have reduced an overwhelming task of safety training to manageable bits.

So, to complete the analogy, look around and identify your team. Who are the coaches, who are the superstars (i.e., “train-the-trainer”), and who are the team players? While the superstars can and do contribute to the team’s success, solo acts by themselves rarely results in success and, in terms of safety, someone operating outside of the team concept can pose a danger to the team in terms of safety and performance.

So, as you assemble your safety team, consider including us on the team as a professional safety resource. That’s who we are and what we do – because we’re Saf-T-Gard International – Bringing Workers Home Safely Since 1936.

Sincerely,
Richard A. Rivkin, Saf-T-Gard CEO and Chairman of the Board