Saf-T-Gardian Newsletter - A Fresh Look at the Safety Industry

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  Join Saf-T-Gard for the March 10th e-Hazard Low Voltage Qualified Electrical Safety Training Class 
   
 

Do you know all of the best work practices in electrical safety? Are you aware of the latest guidelines and regulations from NFPA 70E and OSHA?

Sign up for the Low Voltage Qualified (LV) Electrical Safety Training Class (including OSHA & NFPA 70E - version 2018) sponsored by the electrical safety experts e-Hazard and Voltgard® (a division of
Saf-T-Gard International, Inc.) on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CDT at the Courtyard by Marriott - Chicago Deerfield 800 Lake Cook Road Deerfield, IL 60015 to learn all of this and more, including how NFPA 70E page cuts your PPE training by 75%, common places for electrical arc flash, misunderstood NFPA 70E concepts, fixable things you didn’t know about your electrical system that could wreck your plant, electrically-safe work habits, a full, practical understanding of the NFPA 70E standard and great ideas from trainers who have implemented them!

Afterward, take a tour of the Saf-T-Gard® Voltgard® Test Lab, the largest, independent, NAIL4PET-accredited test lab for rubber insulating products in the United States!

The cost to attend the one-day seminar for Low Voltage Qualified (LV) Electrical Safety Training is $400 per person. Please contact
e-Hazard at register@e-hazard.com or (502) 716-7073 with any questions or concerns.

   
 

Coronavirus Information from OSHA and CDC
 
 

OSHA’s new webpage focuses on protecting workers from exposure to the novel coronavirus and provides information for workers and employers about the evolving coronavirus outbreak first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The information includes links to interim guidance and other resources for preventing exposures to, and infection with, 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Chinese authorities identified the new coronavirus, which has resulted in confirmed human infections in China and a growing number of other countries, including the United States. Infected patients have also spread the virus to healthcare workers. The latest situation summary updates are available on CDC’s 2019-nCoV webpage.

There is no evidence of widespread transmission of 2019-nCoV in the United States at this time. Without sustained human-to-human transmission, most American workers are not at significant risk of infection. Exposure risk may be elevated for some workers who interact with potentially infected travelers from abroad, including those involved in the following:

  • Healthcare
  • Deathcare
  • Laboratories
  • Airline operations
  • Border protection
  • Solid waste and wastewater management
  • Travel to areas, including parts of China, where the virus is spreading

There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with 2019-nCoV as the outbreak investigation continues. Infected people can spread the 2019-nCoV through their respiratory secretions, especially when they cough or sneeze.

According to the CDC, spread from person-to-person is most likely among close contacts (about 6 feet). Person-to-person spread is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. It’s currently unknown if a person can get 2019-nCoV by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

In addition to this OSHA guidance, employers and workers should consult interim CDC guidance specific to 2019-nCoV. CDC recently updated the 2019 Novel Coronavirus website to provide additional guidance for recommendations listed in the Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Known or Patients Under Investigation for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in a Healthcare Setting.

   
  Introducing the New Saf-T-Gard® Voltgard® V-GRIPS® Low-Voltage and
High-Voltage Leather Protector Gloves
 
 

Behold the new Saf-T-Gard® Voltgard® V-GRIPS® - the most powerful leather protector gloves to ever take a hold of the electrical safety industry! Constructed using a proprietary grip-enhancing coating that covers the entire palm, index finger and thumb to enable an unsurpassed grip that won’t affect the ergonomics of the gloves, the Saf-T-Gard® Voltgard® V-GRIPS® Leather Protector Gloves complement the existing product line, as electrical workers need leather protector gloves that can grip well without sacrificing comfort, dexterity or tactile sensitivity when handling small parts.

Saf-T-Gard® Voltgard® V-GRIPS® Leather Protector Gloves are manufactured from a soft, gold, grain goatskin leather for comfort, flexibility and durability that, when combined with the proprietary
V-GRIPS®
coating, take performance and safety to the next level and are available in various lengths, cuffs and sizes for use with several different classes and styles of rubber insulating gloves. Additional features and benefits include the following:

  • Voltgard® V-GRIPS® Leather Protector Gloves are crafted by leather glove specialists, and the low-voltage styles fit properly over straight cuff industry-standard rubber insulating gloves, while the high-voltage styles fit properly over both straight and bell cuff industry-standard rubber insulating gloves
  • Made from a gold, grain goatskin leather that is selected and processed to be soft, flexible and durable, these leather protector gloves provide protection against cuts, abrasions and punctures and will not absorb dirt, oil, grit, grime or moisture
  • Manufactured using a proprietary grip-enhancing coating that covers the entire work surface of the gloves (palm, index finger and thumb) to deliver an unsurpassed grip that won’t slip or affect the ergonomics of the gloves
  • The proprietary grip-enhancing coating does not significantly increase the thickness of the working area of the gloves, thereby providing the ideal balance of dexterity, flexibility and grip, especially when handling small parts
  • Gunn cut pattern is the longest-lasting construction and provides better wear and comfort
  • The low-voltage styles feature a slip-on cuff (with the exception of VLP-210S4C) for easy donning/doffing, and all other styles feature a durable split leather gauntlet cuff that extends protection past the wrist
  • Leather strap and durable buckle comfortably secures gloves to the hands
  • All V-GRIPS® Leather Protector Gloves have an Arc Rating of at least 28 cal/cm2
  • Dual-sized to fit whole and half sizes in rubber insulating gloves, i.e. - size 9 fits both 9 and 9 ½ rubber insulating gloves
  • Meets ASTM Standard F-696 for Leather Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves and Mittens
  • Leather protector gloves should always be worn over rubber insulating gloves to extend their life and provide protection to the gloves from cuts, abrasions and punctures
  • Leather protector gloves themselves offer no protection against high or low voltage and should always be worn over rubber insulating gloves
  • Low-voltage styles are designed for use with Class 00 and 0, and high-voltage styles are designed for use with Class 1, 2, 3 and 4 rubber insulating gloves
  • Ideal for use by utility workers, power and communication linemen, electrical contractors, plant and facility maintenance technicians and electrical field service technicians

Available in lengths ranging from 10”-14”, all styles are available in sizes 8-12 and sold by the pair, with the exception of VLP-210S, which is available in sizes 7-12. Click here to shop them online, or call customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information or to place an order.

   
 
How to Tell if a Disposable Glove Will be Comfortable
 
 

It’s difficult for safety managers to find disposable gloves that protect well, while also being comfortable to wear. According to a recent 2019 Ansell Disposable Glove User Needs Research survey, comfort is one of the top challenges that safety managers face when choosing
single-use gloves for their workers.

The comfort of a disposable glove is important for several reasons. Comfortable gloves encourage use and make it easier to perform tasks. If a glove is stiff, fits too tightly, or is difficult to put on, it can lead to a variety of problems that inhibit productivity.

Comfort can be somewhat subjective, but it’s possible to tell if most workers would find a glove to be comfortable by understanding two particular metrics on disposable glove product data sheets. 

Elongation is a measure of how much material cut from a glove will stretch before breaking. More elastic gloves tend to have higher elongation and be more comfortable. 

Modulus is a measure of how much a material will resist changing its shape when stretched. Low modulus indicates a material will stretch more easily, which typically means it will be more comfortable. High modulus indicates a material is stiffer.

Disposable gloves made of latex tend to be among the most comfortable. Latex has high measures of elongation, indicating it can stretch far without breaking. Latex also has a low modulus due to its elasticity. 

Because of the risk of allergies, however, as well as the unique resistance of nitrile and neoprene too many chemicals, many safety managers today have moved away from latex to nitrile or neoprene disposable gloves. Today’s gloves made of neoprene and certain types of nitrile (nitrile A) can be highly comfortable, with high elongation and low modulus performance.

Many wearers today therefore prefer nitrile or neoprene gloves to latex. With an elongation at break measure of 500% before aging, and a modulus of 10.7 MPa, MICROFLEX XCEED gloves are an example of soft, elastic nitrile gloves that many workers find more comfortable than traditional latex disposable gloves. 

Skin irritation is another factor that can impact the comfort of a disposable glove. Workers who wear gloves for long shifts often experience red, itchy, flaky skin as a result of dryness. Gloves with special inner coatings like MICROFLEX Soft White Nitrile with HYDRASOFT Technology can hydrate skin for greater comfort during wear. 

Saf-T-Gard has an extensive portfolio of Ansell and MICROFLEX disposable gloves as well as many additional hand protection products, including general purpose gloves, cut-resistant gloves, mechanic’s gloves, chemical-resistant gloves and more. Click here to shop them online, or call customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information or to place an order.

   
 
Download Master Lock's FREE Southern Company Case Study to Learn More about Their Commitment to Improving Employee Safety
 
  Implementing OSHA-compliant employee safety programs is an ongoing process in every industry. For the utilities industry, tagout is still a valid method under OSHA regulations.

However, Southern Company - a recognized provider of energy, fiber optics and wireless communications solutions, tasked David Whitman, Hydro Operations and Maintenance Manager for Georgia Power (a Southern Company subsidiary), with implementing a LOTO program across 95 facilities within its network subsidiaries, including Southern Company Generation, Southern Power and Southern Company Gas.

Southern Company partnered with The Master Lock Company based on the safety leader’s reputation for providing end-to-end safety solutions and services. The Master Lock Company worked closely with Southern Company to evaluate its safety needs and made recommendations on lockout devices and safety padlocks to increase the efficiency and safety of maintenance tasks.

Click here to read the complete case study, and learn how Southern Company has improved employee access to lockout equipment and ultimately created a safer work environment for its employees after implementing LOTO procedures across its 95 facilities.

Saf-T-Gard supplies a comprehensive selection of Master Lock lockout/tagout products. Click here to shop them online, or call customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information or to place an order.

   
     New AED Regulations from the FDA
   
 

February is American Heart Month. As such, we wanted to educate you on some changes you can make to create a heart-healthy lifestyle using the new AED regulations from the FDA.

In February 2015, the FDA published a final order requiring premarket approval (PMA) applications for new and existing AEDs and necessary AED accessories. If your AED is not FDA-approved, it cannot be supported by the manufacturer after February 3, 2021, and accessories will no longer be available.

To ensure the availability of lifesaving treatment with the AEDs in your facilities, we encourage you to determine whether your AED is
FDA-approved, and if it is not, to begin making plans to transition to an
FDA-approved AED.

The FDA recommends that you take the following steps:

  • Determine the brand and model of your AED - Most AEDs indicate the brand and model on the back of the device
  • Check the list of FDA-approved AEDs by visiting www.fda.gov and searching “AED”
  • If your AED is not listed, plan to transition to an FDA-approved AED
  • Given the importance of these devices in emergency situations, the FDA recommends you continue to keep your AED available for use until you obtain an FDA-approved AED

When you’re ready to purchase, Saf-T-Gard offers a wide variety of ZOLL® AED Plus® packages including semi-automatic and
fully-automatic options. Click
here to shop them online, or call customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information or to place an order.


   
    Register to Attend the FREE Sqwincher "Worker Heat Stress and Dehydration - Are You Prepared?" Webinar
   
 

Workers who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress and dehydration. Exposure to extreme heat can result in illnesses and injuries. Prevention of heat stress and dehydration in workers is important and employers should provide training to workers so they understand what these deadly issues are, how they affect their health and safety, and most importantly, how they can be prevented.

Join hydration expert, Bubba Wolford, Sqwincher Director of Education and Training, on February 27, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. (EST) as he takes a deep dive into these life threatening situations during the FREE “Worker Heat Stress and Dehydration Are You Prepared” webinar. 
Click here to register today.

 
 
Saf-T-Gard Catalog
 

 

The time for better safety is now!

Click here to request a FREE copy of our current full-line Saf-T-Gard International, Inc. catalog today, and learn how to better GARD yourself with Saf-T-Gard.

Featuring more than 3,900 different line items from more than 100 different brands and 14 different product categories, this catalog is an excellent resource and provides a wealth of information to help keep you safe and productive for even the most rigorous applications!

 
   

 
Closeout Corner - Don't Miss These Great Deals  

 

Saf-T-Gard is making it easier than ever to save big on your favorite safety items with the "Closeout Corner" featured monthly in the Saf-T-Gardian
e-Newsletter.

Click here to view the reduced pricing on all of your must-have items to take advantage of this limited-time pricing and inventory.

Be sure to check back next month for even more products and savings!

 
   
Visit with Saf-T-Gard and Take Your Turn on the Safety Slide
 

 

Hazards exist in every workplace. Common examples include slips, trips, falls, exposure to loud noises, working from heights, vibrations and unguarded machinery. The best way to protect your employees is to recognize the hazards that exist on the job, and control them by utilizing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the application.

 

This is where Saf-T-Gard can help! We've been bringing workers home safely since 1936 with our finest industrial safety products and PPE, and we can do the same for you. Stop by our booth at the any of the following trade shows to check out our comprehensive selection of safety products and services that directly address every workplace safety hazard.

 

While you’re there, learn how you can win big when you slide into safety at Saf-T-Gard to win FREE prizes and more!

 

Downstate Illinois Occupational Safety & Health (DIOSH) Day 2020 - Wednesday, March 4, 2020 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:35 p.m., Peoria Civic Center, Peoria, Illinois, Booth #TBD

 

Ohio Safety Congress & Expo (OSC) 2020 - Wednesday, March 11, 2020 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio, Booth #841

 

2020 Wisconsin Safety Council Annual Conference - Tuesday, April 21, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Booth #1303

 

2020 IEEE PES T&D Conference & Exposition - Tuesday, April 21, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Thursday, April 23, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois, Booth #2603

 

2020 Region V VPPPA Conference - Wednesday, April 29, 2020 from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Thursday, April 30, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Lake Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, Booth #TBD

 

NECA Safety Professionals Conference - Monday, May 18, 2020 from 4:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, 2020 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, Scottsdale, Arizona, Booth #501

 

2020 Chicagoland Safety, Health & Environmental Conference - Wednesday, September 16, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Northern Illinois University (Naperville Campus), Naperville, Illinois, Booth #TBD

 

International Lineman’s Rodeo & Expo - Thursday, October 15, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 16, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, Kentucky, Booth #118

 
   
Safety Tips  

 

1. SEE NO EVIL - Protective eyewear comes into the 21st century with
wrap-around styles that are fashionable, comfortable, and in full compliance with ANSI Z87.1 as required by OSHA

2. HEAR NO EVIL - Put hearing protection where the noise is, as many styles of earplugs are now available in bulk dispensers that can be placed virtually anywhere

3. SPEAK NO EVIL - Full facepiece respirators include a speaking diaphragm for clear and easy communications

4. STEP ON IT - Anti-fatigue matting helps relieve back and leg fatigue, and many materials and sizes are available, including matting with colored edges that identify hazards in accordance with OSHA 1910.144

5. JUST THE RIGHT TOUCH - Disposable gloves are available in a variety of materials and thicknesses for the best combination of sensitivity and durability

 
   
Q&A

 

 

Question -Do inspection tags have to be on the safety eyewash/shower stations, or can they be on the door outside of the room? We have wash down areas and the tags get wet and can become unreadable."

Answer - The OSHA standard makes no reference to test tags. Vendors supply them as a convenience for end users with which to monitor and record their weekly testing requirements. It is a way of showing officials that the equipment is being tested as required (for which there is a requirement). As long as they keep the test records up to date there appears to be nothing in the standard that specifies where they should be kept.

 
   
Saf-T-Gard Spotlight  

 

David Clay is a Voltgard Test Lab Team Member and has been with
Saf-T-Gard for more than 10 years.

What David likes about Saf-T-Gard:

"It's like being in a family. Everybody seems to come together to support one another in cases of emergencies. We do company events as a group, and those are the things I like about STG."

What makes David's day:

"Knowing that the products we sell and test are protecting lives around the country. That's more than enough to make my day."

David's outside interests are:

"Automotive engine repair, electrical wiring, maintenance and driving a truck."

 
   
Factoid  

 

How does OSHA enforce the use of flame-resistant clothing in a setting such as a petrochemical plant covered by OSHA standard 29 CFR §1910.119, Process Safety Management (PSM) for highly hazardous chemicals?

"It has been recognized as industry practice in the chemical and refining industries to require flame-resistant clothing where there exists a danger of flash fire/burns from accidental releases. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2113, Standard on Selection, Care, Use and Maintenance of
Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel against Flash Fire is a national consensus standard which applies to, among others, chemical, refining, and terminal facilities with flash fire hazards. Among other standards, NFPA 2113 has requirements for when flame-resistant garments/flame-resistant clothing must be used by industrial personnel exposed to flash fire hazards.

Based on the large quantity of flammable materials (liquids, solids, and gasses) and reactive chemicals that are handled/processed with associated
on-site movement activities at such a facility, OSHA believes any worksite assessment required by OSHA or NFPA 2113 would conclude that: 1) flash fire hazards do exist on a continuous basis in various areas (including but not limited to operating, storage, loading and
off-loading, etc.) at your facility; and
2) when employees such as operators and maintenance personnel are in the areas where flash fire hazards exist, the employees must wear flame-resistant garments/flame-resistant clothing to protect against the flash fire hazards."

 
   
As I See It  

 

It is February 2020. So the question this month is whY Saf-T-Gard?

Among the answers, and in no particular order, is historY. Our company roots go back to 1936, so this year is our 84th year. Over that time, we have evolved from a small manufacturer of industrial rubber-coated gloves to a global supplier of industrial safety products and personal protective equipment. We didn’t just decide that safety products are another commodity like motors, light bulbs, tool, abrasives, fasteners or books.

But within the world of safety products, we also offer varietY - head to toe, office to plant to warehouse - we’ve got the products and services needed to keep your workers safe.

Another attribute is integritY. We are a customer-centric organization, which means that our first and foremost commitment is to our customers. We take nothing for granted other than to treat customers as we would want to be treated.

Add to that efficiencY and accuracY. We keep inventory and have established processes to ship nearly all of our orders within 1 business day.

And we do this all economicallY and competitivelY. As major, direct supply chain partners for nearly every global brand of safety products, we offer competitive pricing with a unique value proposition. And, as a global manufacturer and importer, we can and do offer world-class products of unmatched value to round out and complement our resources available to and for our customers.

But the key reason whY is safetY. Every product we sell, every test we perform, in fact everything thing that we do is designed and selected to be safe and effective for the applications and purposes intended. WhY? Because we are Saf-T-Gard International - Bringing Workers Home Safely Since 1936.

 
       
Proud to partner with: Saf-T-Gard International, Inc.
205 Huehl Road
Northbrook, IL USA
Phone: 1-847-291-1600
Fax: 1-847-291-1610
Email: CustomerService@saftgard.com

www.saftgard.com
  Saf-T-Gard is a major manufacturer, distributor, importer and exporter of safety solutions for industry since 1936.

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