Product Spotlight: Saf-T-Gard^®
Visi-Gard^® Bantam Glasses

Do not lose sight of what is important like protecting your eyes from the sun and work-related injuries with
Visi-Gard^® Bantam Safety Eyewear. These ANSI Z87.1 compliant safety glasses block more than 99% of UVA and UVB ultraviolet light while the polycarbonate lenses provide scratch and impact resistance.

Additional features and benefits include the following:

Click here to shop the Saf-T-Gard^® Visi-Gard^® Bantam Safety Eyewear online, or call customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information or to place an order

The Gard’s Got It!

GET IT AT THE GARD: Did you know Saf‑T‑Gard carries Master Lock Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) products?

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 Master Lock Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) products online, or call customer service at
1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information or to place an order.

Power up Your Protection for Electrical Safety Month

National Electrical Safety Month is a reminder that electrical hazards remain a serious risk for anyone working around energized equipment.

Fast Fact #1: Electrical Hazards Account for 8.5% of All Construction‑Site Fatalities

Proper arc‑rated personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for reducing risk. Lightweight, high‑performance options like PYRAD^® by GORE‑TEX^® Labs deliver 40 cal/cm^² protection without the bulk, helping workers stay safer and more comfortable on energized jobsites.

Fast Fact #2: Electrocutions Still Rising

Electrocution remains a leading cause of workplace fatalities, often linked to inadequate PPE. Properly rated gloves and sleeves help reduce exposure. NOVAX^® Rubber Insulating Gloves are 100% tested before they are shipped and deliver reliable protection for energized work.

Fast Fact #3: Electrical Injuries Disrupt Work

Electrical injuries cause over 2,300+ lost‑time cases in a single year, creating major safety and operational impacts. High‑quality PPE helps reduce injury severity and downtime. PIP^® Arc Flash Kits provide reliable Category 2–4 protection for energized work.

Saf-T-Gard offers a comprehensive selection of proven PIP Global Safety PPE solutions to help you stay protected and reinforce strong electrical‑safety practices on every job. 

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

Heat Stress National Emphasis Program (NEP) Update: OSHA Issues Revised Program

Program Update

OSHA has released an updated version of its Heat Stress National Emphasis Program (NEP), continuing the agency’s focus on preventing heat-related illnesses in both indoor and outdoor work environments.

What's New (So Far)?

ISEA is actively reviewing the updated directive, but early signals point to:

Translation: OSHA is getting more structured in how it enforces heat safety.

What Hasn't Changed?

OSHA is still relying on the General Duty Clause (GDC) — not a formal heat standard.

That means citations can still be issued when OSHA determines:

Compliance officers are expected to document:

What This Signals

This update reinforces a key reality:

Instead, the agency is continuing to:

Heat Safety Week Raises Awareness and Provides Resources

Heat Safety Week is May 18-22, 2026. During this time, we are reminded that rising temperatures increase risks for workers in many industries. Each year, heat exposures contribute to work-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths.

Heat stress can affect anyone working in hot environments, both indoors and out. Factors such as high temperatures, humidity, heavy workloads, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and lack of acclimatization can quickly place workers at increased risk. Even conditions that may not seem extreme can lead to serious outcomes, especially when appropriate protections are not in place.

Preventing heat-related illness requires planning, awareness, and action. Employers and workers can take simple, effective steps, such as providing regular breaks in a cool or shaded area and ensuring access to water. Workers can also gradually build tolerance to heat through acclimatization and learn to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illness.

NIOSH offers a range of resources to support workplace heat safety efforts. These resources include a fast facts card, OSHA-NIOSH infosheet, poster, infographic, and workplace solutions. They provide practical guidance for preventing heat-related illness. These materials can help safety professionals, employers, and workers understand how heat affects workplaces and how to plan and take appropriate action.

In addition, the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App is useful for planning outdoor work activities based on how hot it feels throughout the day. It has a real-time heat index and hourly forecasts for your location. It also provides occupational safety and health recommendations from OSHA and NIOSH.

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 Step up Safety in the Chemical Industry with Dunlop Protective Footwear Webinar ON DEMAND

This webinar, brought to you by Dunlop Protective Footwear, delves into how specialized footwear can improve safety, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness in your workplace. Dunlop’s team will provide insights into product ranges designed to protect workers from hazardous environments, lower total cost of ownership, and enhance comfort.

This webinar will cover the following:

Equip your workforce with footwear that meets the demands of the chemical industry. Attend to gain actionable insights and see how Dunlop's products can contribute to a safer, more sustainable work environment.

Five Safety Tips

1. EYE ON SAFETY - Not all safety glasses provide the same protection – choose eyewear marked ANSI Z87.1 for compliant impact protection on the jobsite.

2. EYE ON SAFETY - Scratched or damaged lenses can reduce visibility and protection, so inspect protective eyewear regularly and replace when necessary.

3. EYE ON SAFETY - Anti-fog lens coatings help maintain clear vision in humid, temperature-changing, or high-exertion work environments.

4. EYE ON SAFETY - Workers exposed to flying debris, dust, or chemical splash hazards may require goggles or faceshields in addition to safety glasses for enhanced protection.

5. EYE ON SAFETY - Comfortable, properly-fitting safety eyewear is more likely to be worn consistently, helping improve compliance and reduce eye injury risks.

Visit with Saf-T-Gard

NECA Safety Professionals Conference (NSPC) - Tuesday, May 19, 2026, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. (Eastern Time), and from 4:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. (Eastern Time), DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Atlanta, GA, 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 #6724

Question - "Are switchboard mats recommended or required by OSHA for use in commercial office building electrical rooms?"

Answer - The OSHA standard makes no reference to commercial office building electrical rooms. However, OSHA does incorporate specific references to the ASTM D178 specification for Rubber Insulating Matting in 29CFR1910.137 (Electrical Protective Devices) and 29CFR1926.951 (Tools and Protective Equipment). ASTM D178 is the Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Matting. Where there is a risk of exposure to energized circuits in a commercial office building electrical room, appropriate protective equipment is required under the General Duty Clause and other references. At a minimum, we recommend switchboard matting, rubber insulating gloves, and NFPA 70E arc flash clothing and equipment for the appropriate hazard rating.

Saf-T-Gard Spotlight

David Clay is a Team Leader and has been with Saf-T-Gard for 15 years.

What David likes about Saf-T-Gard:

"Meeting new people, being part of the
Saf-T-Gard family, and serving outside and inside customers."

What makes David's day:

"Knowing I was able to help my customers make it home to their family safely.”

David’s outside interests are:

“Rehabbing homes, farming around the house, and auto mechanic repair.”

Anything else:

"Being the best person that I can be and giving freely of myself to help others meet their goals.”

Is it possible to meet OSHA fall protection requirements when the anchor point for a fall arrest system is at the employee's feet (that is, on the same level as the walking working surface)?

OSHA requirements do not specifically prohibit an employer from anchoring a lanyard at or near an employee's feet. Instead, OSHA standards require that a personal fall arrest system be rigged such that an employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet or contact any lower level. Title 29CFR1926.502(d)(16)(iii) states: Personal fall arrest systems, when stopping a fall, shall: * * * (iii) be rigged such that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet (1.8m), nor contact any lower level. We recognize both that anchoring at the employee's feet typically would result in exceeding a 6-foot free fall and that there are situations where compliance with the 6-foot free fall limitation is infeasible. In a situation where limiting the free fall to 6 feet is infeasible, the employer would be required to limit the free fall to the extent possible and to ensure that the arresting force would not exceed 1,800 pounds.

As I See It

It’s May 2026. May Day (May 1) is also known as International Workers' Day - a celebration of the international labor movement. It is a national holiday in more than 80 countries and is celebrated unofficially in many more. Concern for workers has been and continues to be a driving force behind the growth of the safety products industry.

Certainly, there are compliance issues (OSHA carries a big stick) and financial issues (lost time, medical costs, insurance costs) but the real bottom line issue is the commitment of safety professionals to do everything possible for workers to return home healthy and safe at the end of their work shift. It is a true and truly equal partnership involving and engaging the employer, the safety products supplier, and the worker. Like a three-legged stool, all must be equally committed or it falls over.

Mayday (as one word) is an emergency procedure word used internationally as a distress signal, derived from the French "m'aider", meaning "help me". There is a safety connection here, too. While we all try to avoid emergencies, the concept of "help me" can certainly relate to industrial safety. Help Me = you, the user of industrial safety products. Help me keep my facility safe. Help me keep my workers safe. Help me with the products and services to enable us to do our jobs safely and productively.

Help Me = your safety products supplier. Help me provide you with the most appropriate and cost-effective products for your application by sharing information. Help me provide a fresh set of eyes and ears with the productive investment of time spent viewing your operations with the goal of generating recommendations for improved compliance and productivity.

If you’re ready for a fresh, personal approach to safety products and services, give us a call or visit us online at www.saftgard.com. Experience matters when it comes to your workers’ safety. That’s us -
Saf-T-Gard International – Bringing Workers Home Safely Since 1936.

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