Tag: PPE

Respirator Fit Test

The Respiratory Protection Standard: From Dust to Smoke to Coronavirus

Nationwide, approximately 1.4 million workplaces provide at least some of their employees with respiratory protection. Studies indicate that at these workplaces, gaps exist in their written respiratory protection program, their understanding of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, or the administration of the program. These gaps lead to issues in mandatory compliance or recommended […]

Boosting PPE Compliance in the Workplace

Each year, countless accidents, injuries, and fatalities occur as a result of missing personal protective equipment (PPE) or the failure to properly wear the provided PPE. PPE minimizes exposure to biological, chemical, physical, safety, and ergonomic hazards, and it is the last line of defense between a workplace hazard and the worker. As important as […]

Electrical PPE

Electrical Safety Tips: Using NFPA 70E to Protect Workers

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has increased compliance activities related to electrical safety regulations and standards over the past few years. This began with the heightened interest in arc flash hazards related to the 2000 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E standard and became more active after the 2004 edition was published.

Oilfield technician checking H2S gas with his pocket type H2S Gas detector at well head in oilfield

5 Common Myths About Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Safety

Are your workers and business protected against the potential dangers of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exposure? It may surprise you that subjection to the toxic “sour” gas remains one of the leading causes of workplace gas inhalation deaths, and OSHA recently cited a Texas employer after H2S exposure in a confined space resulted in a fatality. There […]

Contractor

A Burning PPE Question: What’s an Employer’s Liability?

When an employer provides personal protective equipment (PPE) to all onsite workers (including contractors and subcontractors), does it have any liability or exposure if the PPE fails? Does the fact of whether the PPE was provided for free come into play? This question was recently posed to experts at Safety.BLR.com®—read on to see their response.

first responders

NIOSH’s Virtual Toolkit for First Responders Addresses Illicit Drugs

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has released a new virtual toolkit to help first responders reduce their exposure to fentanyl and other illicit drugs. The toolkit provides resources to help keep first responders safe when arriving on a scene where illicit drugs, including fentanyl, are present or suspected to be present.

Respirator Fit Test

Two New Protocols for Respirator Fit Testing from OSHA

On September 26, OSHA added two new protocols for ensuring employees’ respirators fit properly. When employers are required under personal protective equipment regulations to provide respiratory protection, they also are required to ensure the respirators properly fit each employee.

Safety worker wearing PPE in the heat

New PPE Innovations Are Cool—Literally

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is vital to workplace safety, but it can also be uncomfortably hot—and warm weather doesn’t help. New research and products are looking to keep workers cool while wearing PPE without compromising on protection.

Head protection, hard hats

Hard Hats and Bump Caps: The Evolution of Head Protection

Hard hats have become the PPE that is particularly emblematic of safety, and head protection systems are evolving to meet the needs of modern workers. Read the transcript of our recent conversation with Chris Cota and Aaron Skemp from Ergodyne®, where we took a special look at the most recent developments in head protection.