The first "P" in "PPE" stands for "Personal", and never before has safety been more personal than it is now with COVID-19 affecting the lives and livelihoods of everyone.

No one understands this better than Saf-T-Gard International, Inc. After all, safety is rooted in our name. So when it comes to your workers' safety, you can trust that Saf-T-Gard has everything you need to work worry free, including the following:

• N95 Respirators
• KN95 Respirators
• Hand Sanitizers
• Touchless Thermometers
• Splash Shields
• Face Masks
• Windex and Fantastik Disinfectant Cleaners
• Gloves
• COVID-19 Safety Signs
• COVID-19 Floor Signs
• Workplace Partitions
• UV Light Sanitizing Wand
• And so much more

We've been bringing workers home safely for more than 80 years, and we can do the same for you!

Click here to shop our selection of COVID-19 Safety Essentials to Keep Your Business Running online, or call customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information or to place an order or with any additional questions on how we can assist you in your worker safety program.

Proving that Saf-T-Gard is dedicated to continually advancing its line of electrical safety products, the company is pleased to announce the arrival of its new Saf-T-Gard^® Voltgard^® Supreme Leather Protector Gloves. Designed to be soft to the touch and hard on protection while offering high-voltage electrical workers an unequaled alternative to standard leather protector gloves, the Saf-T-Gard^® Voltgard^® Supreme Leather Protector Gloves are made using a soft NuBuck premium grain cowhide leather to deliver maximum comfort, flexibility and dexterity that protects against cuts, abrasions and punctures and will not absorb dirt, oil, grit, grime or moisture.

Additional features and benefits include the following:

• Voltgard^® Supreme Leather Protector Gloves are crafted by leather glove specialists to fit properly over straight cuff and bell cuff industry-standard rubber insulating gloves
• These high-voltage leather protectors are designed for use with class 1, 2, 3 and 4 rubber insulating gloves
• Gunn cut pattern provides comfort and dexterity
• The red gauntlet cuff is made from durable split leather, extending protection past the wrist, while allowing for flexibility and comfort
• Leather strap and metallic buckle comfortably secure the glove to the hand
• Straight thumb with thumb strap offers additional protection in critical wear areas
• 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 insulting gloves
• Meets ASTM Standard F-696
• 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
• Available in 12” (VLP-412) and (VLP-414) 14” lengths and offered in sizes 7-12
• Ideal for use by utility workers, power and communication linesman, electrical contractors, plant and facility maintenance technicians and electrical field service technicians in rubber gloving, hotstick and other various high-voltage operations
• Sold by the pair 

Click here to shop the Saf-T-Gard^® Voltgard^® Supreme Leather Protector Gloves online, or call customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information or to place an order.

The SureWerx Jackson Safety^® 21000 GPL500 model is a premium safety goggle with a detachable flip-up face shield. Built with a special soft body design, the goggle easily conforms to your face to ensure a snug, yet comfortable seal to deliver maximum protection against liquids and dust. Indirect vents and Sta-Clear^® anti-fog coating protect against chemical splash and guarantees a fog-free working environment.

Additional features and benefits include the following:

• Detachable polycarbonate face shield protects face from splash dust and flying debris and allows goggles to be worn separately
• Face shield flips up and down for added convenience
• Ultra-soft body design conforms to the face for superior comfort, fit and safety
• Optically-correct lens delivers an exceptional view with no distortion
• Sta-Clear^® anti-fog coating guarantees a fog-free working environment
• Designed to fit over most prescription eyewear and under most hard hats
• Made with indirect vents for added protection from chemical splash and dust
• Extra-wide flame-retardant strap delivers superior comfort and is swivel mounted to the google
• Provides 99.9% UV protection
• Ideal for use in industrial, mining, cutting, grinding, construction, woodworking, machine shop and pressure washing applications
• Exceeds ANSI Z87.1+ high impact safety standards
• CE certified and CSA certified to CAN/CSA Z94.3 standards
• Sold individually

Click here to shop the SureWerx Jackson Safety^® 21000 GPL500 Safety Goggles with Detachable Face Shield online, or call customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information or to place an order.

Hydration in the workplace is not just a summer issue. In fact, dehydration is a threat that can happen in any season. In the winter, the air we breathe in colder weather is drier, so our lungs have to work overtime to add humidity and warm it up. And the more the body works, the more hydration it needs.

No matter the season, a healthy body loses between three to six liters of water every day. The water vapor we exhale alone can fill more than a one-liter soda bottle. So it goes without saying that ensuring workers are sufficiently hydrated is an important step to maintaining a safe, healthy workplace all year round.

Why Hydration Matters

Our bodies are about 60 percent water. It’s an essential nutrient, allowing us to function at optimal performance levels by:

• Regulating core body temperature
• Carrying nutrients to vital organs
• Flushing internal toxins from the body

We all lose some of this water throughout the day through normal activities like sweating (including between skin and winter clothing), exhaling, urinating, diuretic intake, and natural body exertion to maintain the core temperature (like shivering).

But maintaining proper fluid levels is critical for our bodies to function at full capacity. Without enough fluids, our bodies start to go into dehydration mode. Depending on the severity of the dehydration, this could have a significant impact on the ability to work and function properly.

Winter Dehydration

Dehydration isn't just caused by sweating under the summer sun. A number of factors can contribute to unsafe body temperature drops and fluid loss in winter weather:

• Freezing temperatures and wind chill
• Improper clothing for the weather
• Physical exertion
• Direct exposure to harsh weather
• Lack of fluid intake and poor diet
• Pre-existing medical conditions
• Poor physical conditioning

Are You Properly Hydrated?

Knowing the importance of hydration is one thing; ensuring it is another. That’s why it’s critical for workers to understand how to gauge their hydration level and what steps to take to maintain body fluids. You can’t always rely on the thirsty feeling to remind you that your body needs more fluids. One of the easiest ways to tell if your body is properly hydrated is by a quick examination of your urine color.

• Pale and plentiful = proper hydration
• Medium to dark yellow = mild dehydration, more fluids required
• Medium to dark orange = severe dehydration, contact a physician

(Using and posting a visual guide can be helpful.)

Additional symptoms of dehydration include:

• Thirst (though not always)
• Fatigue
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Excessive perspiration
• Hot and dry skin

In general, it’s recommended that the average adult drink one quart per hour of active work, distributing the intake over a period of time. For example, getting into the habit of drinking about 1 cup (250 ml) of fluid every 15 minutes will keep your hydration levels up for the duration of your shift. 

It’s important to understand, though, that everybody is different, and the required amount of hydration varies depending on several factors:

• Underlying health conditions - People dealing with high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease may have different hydration requirements, and certain medications can change the way the body responds to environmental factors.
• Level of physical exertion - Performing basic tasks (even if it's just breathing) causes the body to lose hydration. The harder the task, the more fluid your body will lose.
• Work environment - In cold weather, sweat tends to turn to water vapor quickly, and extra clothing layers can prevent us from realizing we are getting dehydrated. This is one of the main causes of hypothermia in people who remain outdoors for long periods of time.

Making Winter Hydration a Workplace Priority

As important as it is for individual workers to take responsibility for their health, there are ways for managers to make the workplace a hydration-friendly environment.

Provide Education and Training

Basic education is one of the key ways of ensuring that your employees stay adequately hydrated.

Most people know the body requires more hydration when it's hot outside, but many will be surprised to find out that it's also a big deal in cold weather. Offering quick, informative training sessions can have a big impact on prevention and preparedness, minimizing the risk of dehydration-related illness.

Have Fluids Readily Available

Workers may be more likely to take hydration breaks when they have drinks easily accessible to them. Employers can help by providing water and warm drinks during the winter. Electrolyte replacement drinks can help replenish depleted electrolytes like sodium and potassium and offer a bit of an energy boost.

Drinks that are warm or at room temperature are better at maintaining the body’s internal temperature, and they're a better choice than cold drinks while working in colder temperatures. Since caffeine actually dehydrates the body, it’s a good idea to stay away from coffee stations at winter worksites.

Enforce Regular Breaks

Each worksite should have a shelter (ideally a heated one) where workers can get relief from the chilly weather. It’s also a great place to keep water and warm drinks. Mandating regular breaks is a great way to remind workers to stop and re-hydrate before returning to the job.

Conclusion

Hydration (and dehydration) is an all-season issue. Our bodies lose substantial amounts of water every day, and failing to replace these fluids can lead to ill effects like impaired performance – or worse. 

Educating workers about proper hydration and providing hydration stations at winter worksites are simple steps any employer can take to ensure employees maintain safe fluid levels throughout the day. By making hydration a habit all through the year, both employers and employees will be rewarded with a healthier workplace.

To help combat dehydration in every season, Sqwincher has extended its FREE 7 cubic-foot freezer ($900.00 value) with purchase of 60 cases of either the regular-formula Squeeze Pops (SSP-AS) or the ZERO sugar-free formula Squeeze Pops (SSPZ-AS) promotion for the entire calendar year in 2021. Click here to download the promotional flyer for more details, click here to shop the qualifying products online or, or call customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) today for more information or to place an order.

Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping a safe space between yourself and other people who are not from your household.

Social distancing should be practiced in combination with other everyday preventive actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including wearing wearing masks, avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands and frequently washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Join Alex Simmons, Product Marketing Manager for Shurtape Technologies, LLC, Rob Nelson, Director of Sales, North for Shurtape Technologies, LLC and Daniel B. Pierce, National Channel Marketing Manager for Shurtape Technologies, LLC on Friday, January 29, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. ET, as they discuss how to create a safe workplace that minimizes risk to the employee and complies with CDC guidelines. This webinar will also provide best practices on how tape is being used in various business settings for social distance.

Click here to register today!