Category: Personal Protective Equipment

No safety technology is changing as fast as that employed in PPE. The devices of just a few years ago are now obsolete by replacements that are lighter, easier to use, and more protective. These resources alert you to developments in the field, and equally important, supply training ideas to get your workers to use their PPE, and use it correctly.

Free Special Report: Does Your PPE Program Meet OSHA’s Requirements?

Mask

NIOSH Issues Nonregulatory Mask Criteria

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released new criteria for masks to help protect workers from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. The NIOSH criteria incorporate the nonregulatory American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specification for Barrier Face Coverings (F3502-21).

Fall protection equipment, roofing

Near Miss Case Study: Predict Phantom Hazards to Optimize Fall Protection Equipment

An unprecedented near miss is a once-in-a-work-life occurrence for most. Although they aren’t positive experiences, they should always be used as a positive learning opportunity to eliminate future risk; the incident described within should not be treated any differently. “It’s always good to share these types of incidents. Hearing about others’ experiences provides insight and […]

Fall protection, fall arrest system

Ask the Expert: A Couple of Fall Protection Questions Answered

With the eighth annual National Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction happening this week, we’re taking a look at some fall protection questions answered by our experts at EHS Hero® . Do you need a plan or personal fall arrest systems if you have adequate railing and protection from hazards? What about scissor lifts? Read […]

Protective footwear, foot safety, PPE

Protective Footwear: A Sample Policy for Employers

If you require employees to wear protective footwear, you as the employer must provide and pay for it unless the PPE is non-specialty safety-toe protective footwear that you allow employees to wear off the job site.

Wearable safety technology

Keys to Introducing Wearable Safety Technology to Workers

“Technology is taking us all over” is the most prolific comment I’ve heard lately, most recently from a crew member on a construction jobsite in the southeastern United States. When introducing wearable safety technology, EHS managers must employ knowledge, listening, and patience.

elastomeric half-mask respirator (EHMR)

NIOSH Approves New Elastomeric Respirator, Publishes Research into Face Coverings

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently approved the first elastomeric respirator without an exhalation valve, developed by the Mine Safety Appliance (MSA) Corporation. Elastomeric respirators are half-facepiece or full-facepiece respirators made with a facepiece of synthetic or natural rubber material that can be repeatedly used, cleaned, disinfected, stored, and reused.

COVID-19 face mask, face coverings

Nonregulatory Face Mask Standard Approved by ASTM

On February 17, ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) announced approval of a nonregulatory standard for barrier face coverings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The standard establishes minimum care, design, labeling, and performance requirements for reusable barrier face coverings.

Armored car robbery attempt

OSHA Citation Vacated in Fatal Turnpike Robbery Attempt

On January 15, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission vacated an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citation in a fatal attempted robbery of a Pennsylvania Turnpike toll collection van. The cited employer disputed the agency’s citation for a serious violation of the personal protective equipment (PPE) standard (29 CFR 1910.132(a)). An armed guard […]

Facial hair and respirators

NIOSH’s Facial Hair and Respirators Infographic Viewed by Thousands

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently acknowledged that the infographic “Facial Hairstyles and Filtering Facepiece Respirators,” which was used in a November 2, 2017, blog post, has been downloaded over 19,000 times. NIOSH said that 95% of the downloads were made in 2020.