OSHA and ASTM standards require regular inspection of in-service electrical protective equipment in order to maintain compliance and ensure the products’ safety and integrity when exposed to a wide range of voltages. All rubber insulating gloves should be thoroughly inspected prior to use. Common problems to look for include the following:

1. Cracking and Cutting – Prolonged folding or compressing can cause this type of rubber damage.
2. UV Checking – Storing in areas exposed to prolonged sunlight causes UV checking.
3. Chemical Attack – Oils and petroleum compounds can cause swelling of the rubber.
4. Avoid Folding – The strain on rubber at a folded point is equal to stretching the rubber to twice its length.
5. Snags – Wood, metal splinters and other sharp objects can snag or tear rubber.
6. Physical Damage – Rope burns, deep cuts and puncture hazards are cause for rejection.

Visually inspecting rubber gloves identifies physical, chemical or ozone damage. Direct light is recommended because it enhances the ability to see surface imperfections on the rubber. Inflating the gloves with air or otherwise stretching the surface helps identify age and ozone damage as well as other physical damage such as snags, rope burns, deep cuts and punctures.

Damage to many types of personal protective equipment (PPE) can be apparent when the equipment or devices are inspected by the user. However, rubber insulating gloves are more complicated. It is important to note that the reduction in effectiveness can be caused by a variety of factors that may not be readily apparent to the user, and improper use of rubber insulating gloves can be a matter of life and death. The best way to ensure that rubber gloves are safe for their intended use is to have them periodically retested at their proof test voltage by a qualified test lab. Testing is also a critical and required component to maintaining arc and electrical safety. Not only does it maintain compliance, but it also helps increase savings. Rubber insulating gloves are costly, and many times these costs are unnecessarily increased by purchasing replacements for products that could have remained in service with the proper testing and recertification.

Saf-T-Gard is uniquely qualified to work with your facility and keep your employees safe while meeting all applicable industry standards with our Voltgard^® Test Lab, the largest and independent NAIL4PET-accredited test lab for rubber insulating products in the United States. The Voltgard^® Test Lab provides full-service testing and recertification of rubber gloves, and for utilities and high-voltage contractors, the Voltgard^® Test Lab also tests rubber insulating sleeves, blankets, line hose, covers, dielectric footwear, jumper cables, grounding sets, plastic guards, hot sticks, matting, hoods and insulating hand tools.

The Voltgard^® facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for the complete testing of these products, including washing, visual inspecting, and electrical testing – all to applicable ASTM standards. Additionally, Saf-T-Gard has one of the largest new rubber goods inventories in the world and can immediately replace any goods not meeting applicable standards. No one else offers the Voltgard^® level of service. Click here to learn more.

To be ANSI/ISEA Z308-2021 compliant in the workplace, your customers need to have their first aid kits and cabinets updated by October 15, 2022.

OSHA (U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration) is the main federal agency charged with the enforcement of workplace safety and health legislation. OSHA regulations regarding first aid kits are contained in the Code of Federal Regulations under section 29 CFR 1910.151 and in Appendix A. OSHA does not provide specifications for first aid kit contents per se but defines mandatory requirements for availability of kits on worksites. In Appendix A of the OSHA guidelines, ANSI is referenced as the originator of first aid kit specifications and minimum contents requirements.

ANSI (the American National Standards Institute) and ISEA (International Safety Equipment Association) American National Standard – Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits and Supplies (ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021) establishes minimum performance requirements for first aid kits and their supplies. First aid kits are classified based on the assortment and quantity of first aid supplies intended to deal with most types of injuries and sudden illnesses that may be encountered in the workplace. These may include major and minor wounds, minor burns, sprains and strains, and eye injuries. As each work environment is unique, it is expected that the contents of each kit will be supplemented as needed based upon the recommendations of a person competent in first aid. Click here to see the components first aid kits must contain to be compliant with the ANSI 2021 standard.

The 2021 ANSI revision introduces two classes of first aid kits:

1. Class A kits with contents designed to deal with most common types of workplace injuries.
2. Class B kits with a broader range and quantity of supplies to deal with injuries in more complex or high-risk environments.

The kit containers are classified by portability, ability to be mounted, resistance to water, and corrosion and impact resistance. Four types are identified:

1. Type I - Intended for use in stationary, indoor applications where kit contents have minimal potential for damage due to environmental factors and rough handling. These kits are not intended to be portable and should have a means for mounting in a fixed position. Some applications for Type I first aid kits are general indoor use, office use or use in a manufacturing facility. First aid cabinets would generally fall into this type.
2. Type II - Intended for use in portable indoor applications where the potential for damage due to environmental factors and rough handling is minimal. These kits should be equipped with a carrying handle. Some applications for Type II first aid kits are general indoor use or use in office or manufacturing environments that require mobile kits.
3. Type III - Intended for portable use in mobile indoor and/or outdoor settings where the potential for damage due to environmental factors is not probable. Kits should have the means to be mounted and have a water-resistant seal. Typical applications include general indoor use and sheltered outdoor use.
4. Type IV - Intended for portable use in mobile industries and/or outdoor applications where the potential for damage due to environmental factors and rough handling is significant. Typical applications include the transportation industry, utility industry, construction industry and the armed forces.

Saf-T-Gard carries a comprehensive selection of First Aid Only^® products, including ANSI-compliant first aid kits, cabinets and supplies, bandages and tapes, antiseptics, eye care, medicinals, burn care, outdoor protection and bloodborne pathogens. Click here to shop them online, or call customer service at 1-800-548-GARD (4273) for more information or to place an order.

Did you know that there were 836 fatal falls from ladders in the United States from 2011-2016? Here’s what you need to know to stay compliant with ladder safety.

The OSHA fixed ladder regulation (1910.23) was designed, at least partly, to align more with the General Industry and Construction Standards. The regulation requires a personal fall arrest or ladder safety system on fixed ladders over 24 feet. It also eliminates and phases out the use of cages/wells and guardrails as primary fall protection methods, allowing employers to choose the fall protection system they want to use on existing and new ladders.

Following is a ladder safety checklist to help you stay compliant:

1. COUNT THE RUNGS AND CHECK THE TOTAL HEIGHT
   • To quickly gauge a ladder’s height, count the number of rungs. If there are 24 rungs or more, this means it’s at least 24 feet and the standard applies
   • Consider the height of the ladder AND the height of the system you’re attaching for safety; regulation states any ladder over 24 feet is applicable
2. IS YOUR LADDER FIXED OR NON-FIXED?
   • Fixed ladders require fall protection over a certain height
   • For non-fixed ladders, no fall protection is required but there must be three points of contact at all times (two feet and one hand, for example)
3. IS THERE A METAL CAGE SURROUNDING YOUR LADDER?
   • Depending on type of fall protection system used it may be necessary to remove the existing cage to ensure the cage does not interfere with safe operation of fall protection system, OSHA Regulation 1910.28(b)(9)(iv)
4. ARE YOU REPAIRING OR REPLACING A RUNG? DOING MAINTENANCE ON THE CURRENT LADDER?
   • Requires if any modification to an existing ladder system is completed (i.e. repairing/replacing a damaged rung), the entire ladder system must be updated to adhere to the OSHA 1910.23 regulation
5. NEW LADDER SYSTEMS BEING INSTALLED MUST MEET THE REGULATION
6. YOU NEED GUARDRAILS OR FALL PROTECTION AT THE TOP OF EACH LADDER SYSTEM
   • Depending upon the distance workers travel away from the ladder system, it will determine whether separate anchor points and fall protection is needed

Saf-T-Gard carries a wide range of Honeywell fall protection products including harnesses, lanyards, self-retracting lifelines, anchorage points, and fall protection accessories. 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.

• Be First Aid Prepared - Did you know that every seven seconds a worker is injured on the job?
• Be First Aid Compliant - OSHA Guideline 29 CFR 1910.151 states that in the absence of a hospital or clinic near the workplace that adequate first aid supplies must be readily available.
• Be First Aid Ready - Quick response to an injury can reduce lost time from work. Having first aid nearby and on-the-go options may save a life.

Work is not always at the home office or facility. First aid and emergency response solutions are needed where the work is being completed. This webinar will discuss the challenges and solutions for your workers that operate fleet vehicles or those performing work in remote locations and will also briefly cover some ANSI 2021 updates! 

Join Josh Holmes of First Aid Only to get a better understanding of how best to respond to emergency situations in remote workplaces. Click here to register and watch the FREE webinar ON DEMAND today.