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

Another Great Use for Simple Green Safety Towels

You know how your keyboard gets all nasty?  Dust and hand oil combine to make that grunge that never comes off...

Grab yourself a pack of Simple Green Safety wipes, fold it in half, and run it up and down between the keys.  You'll be amazed.  No really, amazed.

There you go, we just saved you from having to buy a new keyboard.  ;-)


Got a good idea for cleaning a computer keyboard?

How about another use for wet wipes?



Let us know by leaving a comment.  Be one of the 1st five people to leave a comment requesting a sample and we'll do just that - we'll send you a sample pack of 5 wipes.
Use our Literature Request Form to drop us an email with your address and we will mail your sample to you.  No strings attached.