Gloves - Impact Protection Basics

Hand protection (Impact)

No glove provides complete protection against “crushing” forces.  There is no substitute for operator training and proper safeguarding.  High visibility gloves and machinery can improve awareness.  Properly designed, and applied, impact protection can limit and reduce hand injuries related to objects striking hands and hands striking objects.

Comfort First - Studies have confirmed that the comfort level of a pair of gloves directly affects a worker's willingness to wear the gloves.  It may seem counter-intuitive, but first and foremost look for a glove that is comfortable. Stiff and bulky gloves will never be worn by workers in the field or they will have to take them off to properly do their job, and that is when they will get injured.

Construction / Design

Impact gloves should have coverage in all the right areas.  Back of hand, palm, fingertips and thumbs should be protected where required.  Large blocks of rubber however limit flexibility.  Plenty of “flex points” should be provided.

When selecting impact-resistant gloves, how the Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) is affixed to the glove matters a lot. Try picking and pulling at the TPR, if it peels even slightly, it won’t hold up in the field. Most anti-impact welding gloves have TPR sewn on with Kevlar or sonic welding.

Palm-coated anti-impact gloves are now available; the advantage of these is they are generally less expensive and provide better dexterity.  A mechanic’s style typically offers more protection and durability but sacrifices dexterity.

Standards

At the time of this writing standards are still being established and adopted.

The current standard specifies three performance levels that offer a numerical representation for the impact protection a glove offers, with the lowest protection rated as Level 1 and the highest as Level 3. The overall performance level of a glove reflects the lowest performance level recorded. For instance, if the fingers and thumb meet Level 1 but the knuckles meet Level 2, the glove still will be rated as Performance Level 1. The glove will be marked with a pictogram to identify its performance level, which must be “visible and legible throughout its normal useful life.”

ANSI/ISEA 138 is specifically designed for industrial gloves and the special protection they offer to workers. Whereas EN 388 covers the knuckles, ANSI/ISEA 138 covers knuckles and fingers, which is critical for industrial glove users whose fingers are frequently at risk. The oil and gas sector, which is a large user of impact-protection gloves, has collected figures through the International Association of Drilling Contractors showing that, in 2016, fingers remained the most vulnerable part of the body in terms of both lost time and recordable injuries.

Sources:

https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2007/06/A-Basic-Guide-for-Selecting-the-Proper-Gloves.aspx

https://www.superiorglove.com/blog/choosing-anti-impact-gloves

https://www.safeopedia.com/how-to-keep-hands-safe-from-cuts-and-impact/2/7087

Do you Need Hi-Visibility Safety Apparel?

Why and when you should be wearing Hi-Vis clothing...

- High-visibility safety apparel (e.g., vests, bibs, or coveralls) that workers can wear to improve how well other people "see" them.

- Most often, high-visibility clothing is worn to alert drivers and other vehicle operators of a worker's presence, especially in low light and dark conditions.

- High-visibility head wear can also be worn to increase the visibility of the wearer in situations where part or all of the wearers body could be obscured (e.g., leaves/trees, traffic barriers, construction materials, etc)

- High-visibility safety apparel is needed if you work when there is low light and poor visibility, especially if you are working around moving vehicles (cars, trucks, or other machinery like forklifts, backhoes, etc)

- High-visibility items allow you to be seen by the drivers of those vehicles sooner and more readily. Be Seen - Be Safe

- All workers exposed to the risks or moving roadway traffic or construction equipment should wear high-visibility safety apparel.

Our Hi-Vis apparel at Engman-Taylor meet the requirements of ANSI 107. The most significant aspect of ANSI 107 is that it requires 360-degree visibility; meaning the wearer can be seen from all sides.


Class Exposures

1.
- Worker can give full and undivided attention to approaching traffic
- Ample separation between worker and vehicular traffic
- Background is not too complex
- Vehicle/equipment speeds do not exceed 25 mph

2.
- Complex backgrounds are present
- Employees perform tasks that divert attention away from approaching vehicles.
- Vehicle/equipment speeds exceed 25 mph, but less than 50 mph
- Work activities take place in or near vehicle traffic space

3.
- Vehicle/equipment speeds exceed 50 mph
- Worker and vehicle operator have high task loads
- Wearer must be conspicuous through the full range of body motions at a minimum of 1/4 mile
(390 m) and must be identifiable


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Liftex Slings - Sling Inspection Program

Engman-Taylor now offers free sling inspections.  Local customers can request an onsite inspection by one of our safety specialists or simply send us your slings*.

Liftex Slings

With our Pro-Edge™ flat web slings, our RoundUp™ Roundslings, and our Pac-Flex™ alloy chain mesh slings, we will provide a superior solution for all your lifting needs.

Types of Slings:

PRO-EDGE WEB SLINGS:
- Soft & flexible -- will not mar, scratch or 
deface "sensitive" loads
- Light weight, easy to handle & store
- Adjusts to load contour providing tight, non-slip grip
- Non-sparking
- Type 1&2: CH & BH Hardware
- Type 3&4: Eeye & Eye
- Type 5: Endless
- Others (Specialty, etc.)

ROUNDUP ROUNDSLINGS:

All the attributes of Web Slings plus:

- Soft & flexible -- ideal for choker hitch application

- Cover abrasion will not reduce capacity

- Provides a strong grip on loads

- Capacities are color coded

PAC-LINK ALLOY CHAIN SLINGS:
- Best combination of handling, strength & durability
- For use in high abrasion, high cut-potential high temperature applications

PAC-FLEX ALLOY CHAIN MESH SLINGS:

All the attributes of PAC-Link -- plus:

- Mesh construction provides a larger capacity and wider load-bearing surface for increased load control and stability in a basket hitch

- PAC-flex Chain mesh provides greater capacity

 and better performance than wire mesh slings

TIE DOWNS & RECOVERY PRODUCTS

Liftex web tie-down assemblies and recovery products fill a wide variety of material handling needs

SLING PROTECTION

Liftex wear pads, Pro-Corner pads, sliding Sling Protection sleeves, and quick sleeves give a sling extra protection where it needs it most.

SLING INSPECTION
Below is a sample of the criteria used during inspection.

- Missing or illegible identification
- Melting or charring on the sling
- Holes, tears, frays, cuts, snags or embedded articles
- Weld splatters & acid burn
- Discoloration & stiffness on any part of the sling
- Excessive abrasive wear
- Knots 
- Fittings that display excessive pitting, corrosion, or are cracked, bent, twisted, gouged or broken
- Visible damage that can cause doubt to the continued use of the sling

*Onsite inspection available in limited areas.  Slings can be shipped our Menomonee Falls location.  Provide company and contact information.  Certain limitations apply.

WIHA 32985 Insulated Industrial Pliers/Cutters and Screwdrivers 7 Piece Set

Only $71.46 for a limited time (while supplies last) - Only available at www.engman-taylor.com

Rust-Oleum SpraySmart Marking Paint System

So much more than cool, this revolutionary paint system changes everything.  Less waste, lower overall cost, no propellant, environmentally friendly, and easy to use.  SpraySmart from Rust-Oleum available from Engman-Taylor.

Emergency Eyewash Stations

Ever had something in your eye?  Sawdust, metal chip, chemical?  Nothing to joke about, serious and even permanent damage can occur from something as small as a piece of dust.  Most eye injuries can be prevented, of course, through the proper use of personal protective equipment (glasses, goggles, shields, etc.)  But what do you do when it happens to you?

Not much can substitute for an eyewash station and if you work in an environment where there is debris or chemicals that are or could become airborne you should have an eyewash station nearby.

Paragraph (c) of OSHA’s Occupational Safety & Health Standards – 29 CFR 1910.151 (Medical services and first aid.) requires “where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area of immediate emergency use”.

Where are eyewash stations used?
Eyewash facilities are required in workplaces where corrosive chemicals are used (29 CFR 1910.151(c)), as well as in HIV and HBV research laboratories and production facilities (1910.1030(e)(3)(i)), and where there is any possibility that an employee’s eyes may be splashed with solutions containing 0.1 percent or greater formaldehyde (1910.1048(i)(3)). They may also be found in research and production laboratories, in medical facilities and other workplaces with materials that may cause injury to or infection of the eyes. 

Eyewash stations come in many shapes, sizes, and configurations.  Many do not require running water.  There are portable models, sink mounted models, and faucet mounted attachments.  They mostly accomplish the same thing but you should always seek the best one your facility will accommodate.

Whatever eyewash station your conditions dictate, make sure you follow some simple safety guidelines specific to this type of equipment.  Cleanliness is most important.  An eyewash station full of sawdust is as much a hazard as the tools creating the dust.  Make sure your station is clean, covered, and protected at all times.  Routine inspections are recommended.

Clean, suitable water is also very important.  Many stations come with filters and some portable ones with proper additives or refills of proper water/fluids.

How can improperly maintained eyewash stations cause infections?
Water found in improperly maintained eyewash stations is more likely to contain organisms (e.g.,Acanthamoeba, Pseudomonas, Legionella) that thrive in stagnant or untreated water and are known to cause infections. When a worker uses an eyewash station that is not maintained, organisms in the water may come into contact with the eye, skin, or may be inhaled. Workers using eyewash
stations after exposure to a hazardous chemical or material may have eye injuries that make the eye more susceptible to infection. Also, workers with skin damage or compromised immune systems (e.g., transplant recovery, cancer, lupus) are at increased risk for developing illnesses from contaminated water. Early diagnosis is important to prevent infections from causing serious health effects, including permanent vision loss and severe lung diseases (e.g., pneumonia).

Faucet mounted eyewash stations can provide a low cost alternative to expensive dedicated equipment (not that there isn't a place for dedicated equipment).  The AXION eyePOD offers a thermostatically-controlled, faucet-mounted eyewash that provides facilities with AXION Medically Superior Response eyewash capabilities in an attractive, low profile, cost efficient design.

Contact Engman-Taylor for information on the Axion eyePod and other options for eyewash stations and overall plant safety.

Another good idea is a mat on the floor under the eyewash station.  Water from the station is often spilled during the rinse and the last thing you want is someone with temporarily affected vision to slip and fall.  The floor mat can also be used to mark the area so that no obstructions are placed there.

Sources:
https://blog.hawsco.com/osha-potential-risk-from-contaminated-water-in-eyewash-stations/
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3818.pdf

Respiration - 411

With so many different respirators and uses, it is no wonder we get so many questions about selecting the correct one.  After all, this really could be the difference between life and death.

Below you will find some basic information on respirators and respiration equipment.  While this is meant to assist you in selecting the correct equipment you should always consult a qualified professional before using any safety equipment.  Follow manufacturer's instructions and recommendations.  Often times your company will have a safety director that can answer your questions and provide the right equipment.

A respirator is a device that protects you from inhaling dangerous substances, such as chemicals and infectious particles.  Respirators work by either filtering particles from the air, chemically cleaning (purifying) the air, or supplying clean air from an outside source.

Types of Respirators:

Particulate Respirators: Particulate respirators are the simplest, least expensive, and least protective of the respirator types available. These respirators only protect against particles (e.g., dust). They do not protect against chemicals, gases, or vapors, and are intended only for low hazard levels. The commonly known "N-95" filtering facepiece respirator or "dust mask" is one type of particulate respirator, often used in hospitals to protect against infectious agents. Particulate respirators are "airpurifying respirators" because they clean particles out of the air as you breathe.

Particulate respirators:

Filter out dusts, fumes and mists.
Are usually disposable dust masks or respirators with disposable filters.
Must be replaced when they become discolored, damaged, or clogged.
Examples: filtering facepiece or elastomeric respirator.

Chemical Cartridge/Gas Mask Respirator: 

Gas masks are also known as "air-purifying respirators" because they filter or clean chemical gases out of the air as you breathe. This respirator includes a facepiece or mask, and a cartridge or canister. Straps secure the facepiece to the head. The cartridge may also have a filter to remove particles.

Gas masks are effective only if used with the correct cartridge or filter (these terms are often used interchangeably) for a particular biological or chemical substance. Selecting the proper filter can be a complicated process. There are cartridges available that protect against more than one hazard, but there is no "all-in-one" cartridge that protects against all substances. It is important to know what hazards you will face in order to be certain you are choosing the right filters/cartridges.
Chemical Cartridge/Gas Mask respirator: 
Uses replaceable chemical cartridges or canisters to remove the contaminant.
Are color-coded to help you select the right one.
May require more than one cartridge to protect against multiple hazards.

Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR):

Powered air-purifying respirators use a fan to draw air through the filter to the user. They are easier to breathe through; however, they need a fully charged battery to work properly. They use the same type of filters/cartridges as other air-purifying respirators. It is important to know what the hazard is, and how much of it is in the air, in order to select the proper filters/cartridges.

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is the respirator commonly used by firefighters. These use their own air tank to supply clean air, so you don't need to worry about filters. They also protect against higher concentrations of dangerous chemicals. However, they are very heavy (30 pounds or more), and require very special training on how to use and to maintain them. Also, the air tanks typically last an hour or less depending upon their rating and your breathing rate (how hard you are breathing).
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus:
Provide clean air from a portable air tank when the air around you is simply too dangerous to breathe.

All of these respirators (except for the "dust masks" or filtering face pieces) are available in either half-mask or full-face pieces.

Fit Testing
Fit testing is required for mandatory use of all tight-fitting facepieces and recommended for voluntary use. OSHA 1910.134(f) states: “The employer shall ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator is fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter.



Training
Training is required for mandatory use and recommended for voluntary use of respirators. OSHA 1910.134(k) states: “This paragraph requires the employer to provide effective training to employees who are required to use respirators. The training must be comprehensive, understandable, and recur annually and more often if necessary.

N-Series Filters: These filters are restricted to use in those atmospheres free of oil aerosols. They may be used for any solid or liquid airborne particulate hazard that does not contain oil. Generally these filters should be used and reused subject only to considerations of hygiene, damage, and increased breathing resistance.
 N95 Particulate Filter -At least 95% filter efficient when tested with ~0.3 µm NaCl aerosol.
 N100 Particulate Filter -At least 99.97% filter efficient when tested with ~0.3 µm NaCl aerosol.

R-Series Filters: A filter intended for removal of any particle including oilbased liquid aerosol. They may be used for any solid or liquid airborne particulate hazard. If the atmosphere contains oil, the R-series filter should be used only for a single shift (or for 8 hours of continuous or intermittent use).
R95 Particulate Filter -At least 95% filter efficient when tested with ~0.3 µm DOP (Dioctyl Phthalate) aerosol.

P-Series Filters: A filter intended for removal of any particle including oil-based liquid aerosols. They may be used for any solid or liquid particulate airborne hazard. NIOSH requires that respirator manufacturers establish time-use limitations for all P-series filters. 
Sources:
https://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/respiratory_protection_bulletin_2011.html
https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/639110O/3m-respirator-selection-guide.pdf