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Q&A: Creating the Best PPE Safety Program

by Julianne Bass 01/07/2016

PPE should be considered the last line of defense when it comes to protecting workers from the unavoidable hazards of their jobs, but let’s face it many companies rely on PPE to get the job done. When selecting, training your workforce and implementing a proper PPE Protection Plan, make sure you have answers to all of the important questions before making any decisions.

Q: What are critical components to any successful PPE program?

A: A successful PPE program starts with a proper assessment of the hazard area to ensure that your selection of PPE is correct. While all areas of your facility should be assessed on a regular basis, if there is one in particular that has a high number of accidents and injuries and requires PPE while performing task, start with a hazard assessment to pinpoint an exact solution. Then move on to selecting the right PPE. Not all PPE is created equally make sure that the specification needed for the job are met by the piece of protective wear that you are selecting. Once your PPE is selected be sure to train your workers on its importance, the proper way to use it, and follow up with fit tests, proper care, and inspections to make sure that if the quality of the PPE deteriorates that it is replaced in a timely manner.

Q: How often should PPE programs be updated?

A: At the very least your PPE program should be audited and updated on an annual basis to remain in compliance with OSHA regulations. However, many safety authorities recommend making regularly scheduled updates throughout the year or as needed.

Q: Does PPE have to be tested/inspected?

A: Outside of annual updates, PPE must be regularly examined by a qualified worker to make sure that it is still performing to the standard it should be as stated on manufacturer labels. Simple maintenance should be done by the user such as cleaning and proper storage.

Q: How should PPE be stored?

A: All PPE does not have the same storage instructions. As a rule, the specific piece of PPE your workers are using should be stored according to the instructions that came with it. Depending on the type of PPE if not stored properly it could deteriorate more quickly due to exposures to elements like dirt, sun, heat, cold etc.

Q: Is it ok to share PPE?

A: In general it is not a good idea to share PPE among coworkers. Outside of the obvious issues around the spread of germs and infectious disease, PPE often requires fitting it to the specific user. Unless specifically stated in manufacturer instructions it is advised against sharing PPE. Only having one user will also help in keeping clear maintenance and replacement records.

Sound The Alarm: The Essentials of Hearing Protection

by Julianne Bass 09/30/2014

Loud machines, jackhammers, construction sites and warehouses, they all carry with them an immense amount of noise that has lasting effects on your workers whether you realize it or not. Approximately 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work daily. An estimated $242 million is spent annually on worker’s compensation for hearing loss disability.

While there are many types of protection out there, what goes into selecting the proper noise protection for your job?

Consider the environment that you’ll be working in. Do you need a portable solution? Or how about something that is better suited for long term use. Will it be hot and humid requiring a more comfortable solution? Or do you need something that won’t interfere with the other PPE that is required for the job.

No matter what the job is, there is a solution to properly protecting your workforce. However not all ears are created equal so there may also be differing solutions within a single working environment.

Consider the following when making your selection:

OSHA states that permissible exposures for an 8 hour period should never go above 90 decibels and decibels of 115 should not be experienced over 20 minutes.
When shopping, hearing protection options should carry a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR), which is a unit of measurement used to determine the effectiveness of hearing protection devices to decrease sound exposure within a given working environment.
When selecting protection NIOSH recommends derating hearing protectors by a factor that corresponds to the available real-world data. Specifically, NIOSH recommends that the labeled NRRs be derated as follows:
- Earmuffs – Subtract 25% from the manufacturer’s labeled NRR
- Formable earplugs – Subtract 50% from the manufacturer’s labeled NRR
- All other earplugs – Subtract 70% from the manufacturers labeled NRR
If you choose to combine hearing protectors (i.e. earplugs and earmuffs) rather than adding the two NRR numbers you simply add 5 more decibels of protection to the device with the higher NRR

Here is a chart to help you determine what might be excessive noise in your workplace:

Find out more about the effects of loud noise exposure and safety solutions here: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/noisehearingconservation/

Workplace Safety News Roundup

by Julianne Bass 09/26/2014

New Test May Predict Worker Hearing Loss

According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 30 million Americans are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work. A new study suggests a simple test can predict which workers will be affected by high noise levels at work.
Read more about the test and its limitations here: https://www.businessinsider.com/r-new-test-may-predict-worker-hearing-loss-2014-8

The younger face of workplace safety and what OSHA is doing about it

As part of its efforts to curb workplace injuries, OSHA is attempting to educate young workers on their rights, in part, by creating a special webpage for young workers with access to blogs, real-life stories of workplace accidents, a list of known workplace hazards in industries and jobs typically filled by young workers, and various other resources including reporting mechanisms.

To learn more about the resources being provided click here: https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=288cbbae-cb72-4a60-9e7e-267cfab015f3

Workplace violations

Roofing contractor exposed workers to falls, faces nearly $300,000 in OSHA fines for deliberately and repeatedly failing to use legally required fall protection for its employees at two New Britain work sites and exposing workers to potentially fatal falls. Gravity doesn’t give you a second chance. If you fall and there is no effective fall protection in place, the result could end your career or your life.

Worker crushed by machinery at Youngstown, Ohio, steel mill. The machine operator suffered multiple fractures to his pelvis, and has been unable to return to work. The investigation found that Youngstown steel mill workers were exposed to crushing, amputation and fall hazards. Proposed penalties total $94,000.

OSHA cites company with 38 violations for exposing workers to a cancer-causing health hazard; fines total $341,550. Citations included failure to provide safe personal protective equipment for exposed workers; failure to prevent ingestion of food and drinks and absorption in hazardous areas; and failure to properly train workers exposed to hazards. Repeat violations also existed having been previously cited for the same or a similar violation within the last five years.

Safety Threads: All PPE is NOT Created Equally

by Julianne Bass 08/08/2014

For every dollar spent on PPE OSHA estimates $4 are saved in costs from work-related health care and productivity losses. A coating, a textile structure, or interweaving of common place threads are all that stand between you and a life altering injury. Do you know exactly what goes into making these superhuman products? When developing products that will protect against hazards such as, a chemical spill, a fire, abrasion, or general workplace injury. There are many different approaches that go into protecting the end user.

Here are some important terms to know to help you better select your safety options in the future. When it comes to the selection of materials the rates below can differ depending on weight, density, weave, elasticity, and even color.

Permeation rate: the rate at which the chemical will move through the material. For example a more tightly woven material will provide greater protection than a fabric you can see right through. The higher the permeation rate the less protective the material.
Breakthrough rate: the time it takes a chemical to permeate completely through the material. Breakthrough is measured using a standardized test ASTM F739
Degradation: measurement of the physical breakdown of a material due to contact with a chemical. The slower the rate the more protective the product is. Signs of degradation include swelling, stiffening, wrinkling, changes in color and other physical deterioration.
Inherent: materials that have resistance built into their chemical fiber structures. This can never be worn away or washed out. For example aramid fibers are lightweight and extraordinarily strong, with five times the strength of steel on an equal-weight basis.
Treated: materials that are made resistant by the application of chemical additives. These treatments wear over time and will no longer provide protection. For example polyethylene coatings are applied to materials to increase their ability to repel liquids, as well as dry particulates

It is important to remember that just because a product is certified doesn’t mean it is the best cost effective option. Naturally products with a longer breakthrough rate made up of inherent materials will cost more than treated products.

No industry is completely safe whether you work in healthcare, manufacturing, construction, mining, chemical handling; all of these industries come with their own set of dangers. Keep in mind, there is no single solution to protect against all hazards, make sure the product you are selecting matches the hazard you are protecting against.

Shut Out the Noise: Two Ear Defenders to Consider

by emedco 01/28/2014

We don’t often pay attention to it, but noise is a highly influential factor that affects many aspects of how we work. Excessive noise, a common problem in industrial work settings such as factories and shipyards, can have adverse effects.

Always have the protective equipment ready when you see signs like this!

These effects range from a worker’s inability to concentrate on his duties to, in drastic cases, hearing loss. These are the reasons why you should prioritize hearing protection when selecting equipment for your personnel.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration places the legal limits of a worker’s total permissible noise exposure per 8-hour shift to 90 dB — about the same as hearing heavy trucks pass by at a fairly close range. This is usually manageable without ear defenders, but any busy industrial site is prone to spikes of noise that can decrease comfort or even inflict damage.

To mitigate this risk, equip any exposed worker with ear muffs to help them keep their hearing safe at all times. In today’s product spotlight, we’ve got two high-quality products designed just for that duty. Here are two of Emedco’s top ear muff selections, which can protect your people’s sense of hearing:

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Dress for Safety! Use PPE to Prevent Injuries and Save Lives!

by emedco 01/02/2014

Wherever there is modern industry, there is risk of accident and injury. And yet through this danger — some of it fatal — people literally build the foundations of modern society and economy.

It’s your responsibility as a business owner to attend to your workers safety as best as you can, and one of the best ways to do that is through the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Protect yourself from construction’s top killer — a long fall!

Selecting the right kind of PPE can be complex and time-consuming. That’s why it’s usually simpler to match your choice of PPE with the threats your workers face.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) pays careful attention to every accident report, enforces safety standards, and regularly releases its own safety statistics. From their list of the top ten OSHA violations emerge the Fatal Four — the four most common causes of fatal accidents in the construction industry — and some PPE measures you can use to mitigate their dangers.

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Hearing Protection and Understanding the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)

by emedco 02/26/2010

Hearing protection prevents hearing loss in loud workplaces, saving your employees’ hearing, lost work, time and money. Don’t risk damaging your employees hearing ability, let them know that you put their safety first!

To better understand the type of hearing protection you should buy, the Environmental Protection Agency defines Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) as the measurement, in decibels, of how well a hearing protector reduces noise. The higher the NRR number the greater the noise reduction. When dual protectors are used, the combined NRR provides approximately 5 – 10 decibels more than the higher rated of the two devices. For example, using disposable ear plugs (NRR of 29 decibels) with ear muffs (NRR 27) would provide a Noise Reduction Rating of approximately 39 decibels.

Excessive noise is defined as 85-90 decibels or more over an 8 hour period.
Examples of noise levels considered dangerous by experts are: a rock concert, firearms, lawnmower, firecrackers, headset listening systems, motorcycles, tractors, power tools and industrial machinery. All can deliver sounds over 90 decibels and some up to 140 decibels.

Painful:
150 dB = Rock Concerts at Peak
140 dB = Firearms, Air-Raid Siren, Jet Engine
130 dB = Jackhammer
120 dB = Jet Plane Take-off, Amplified Music at 4-6 ft., Car Stereo, Band Practice

Extremely loud:
110 dB = Machinery, Model Airplanes
100 dB = Snowmobile, Chain saw, Pneumatic Drill
90 dB = Lawnmower, Shop Tools, Truck Traffic, Subway

Very loud:
80 dB = Alarm Clock, Busy Street
70 dB = Vacuum Cleaner
60 dB = Conversation, Dishwasher

Moderate:
50 dB = Moderate Rainfall
40 dB = Quiet room

Faint:
30 dB = Whisper, Quiet Library

Emedco has a full line of hearing protection that includes: disposable and reusable earplugs (corded or uncorded), earmuffs and banded hearing protectors. Also, choose from a large selection of Hearing Protection Signs. Your Way, Today, Guaranteed!

Additional Info:

Method for Calculating and Using the NRR

Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention

Submitted by: Donna Kolody/Emedco

Protective Wear Keeps Your Employees Safe and Your Company Running Strong

by emedco 12/10/2009

If you own a business you know that it is your employees that keep your business flowing smoothly and running properly. Your employees tend to become like your children in the fact that you want to keep them as safe as possible while on the job. There is no better way to accomplish this then by having your employees wear as much protective wear as possible.

Of course the protective wear that your employees will sport all depends on your type of business and fortunately there are companies like Emedco that make your safety wear solutions an absolute breeze. Here are few things that Emedco recommends and can provide for your employees to help protect them:

Hard Hats: First and foremast, if your employees are working in an area where there may be something that could fall on their heads, it is imperative that you provide your employees with hard hats. Emedco’s hard hats come in a wide variety of colors and styles and are made of a strong polyethylene. Best of all, their hard hats are in full compliance with OSHA standards.
Eye Protection: If your employees can’t see what they are doing they will be no good to anyone. Help them protect their eyes by supplying them with eye protection from Emedco. Their safety goggles come in many different styles and offer ANSI level protection from dust, dirt, and other debris. Many of the eye protection from Emedco do not even resemble anything safety related and look good enough to wear just about anywhere.
Hearing Protection: Though your employees may not notice it they may be having their hearing damaged by working in an environment that has a lot of loud machinery that is constantly on. Avoid any hearing loss from ever taking place by providing those closest to the source of the noise with hearing protection products from Emedco. You can choose to go with soft foam ear plugs or go all the way with personal ear muffs.
Back Belts: Another great product from Emedco is their heavy duty elastic back belts. These are a must if your employees will be lifting items on a constant basis throughout the work day. The elastic back belts will help prevent nasty back strain from occurring which will keep your employees safe and in the game.

Safety Signs: Emedco also offer a wide variety of safety sigs that can be used throughout the workplace. True your employees will not wear these, but you can use the signs to mark hazardous areas and let everyone know ahead of time that caution must be taken when entering the areas. You can also have semi-custom or custom safety signs made by Emedco that will help you to accurately spell out your safety rules and regulations.

When it comes right down to it there is nothing more important than protecting your employees. Emedco can help you keep your employees as safe as possible which will help you to ensure that your business is up and running on a consistent basis.

Written by Mb