Safety Managers Can Utilize Online Resources

T.A.S.C.O Tip: If you are a workplace safety manager, you have your hands full. With keeping up on OSHA guidelines, writing safety policies and training new employees along with the ongoing management of posters, first-aid access and tasks like updating fall protection equipment, it's tough to juggle all your responsibilities. In addition, you have people's safety in your hands.

One way to save time and money as a safety manager is to utilize online resource support. Did you know you could buy off-the-shelf CD-Rom presentations, recaps of past conferences you did not attend, and tips for how to be a better safety manager? These online resources are affordable ways to save both time and money. CDs can be purchased on subjects like fall protection equipment and as ready-to-go training tools, and they often come with an organized binder for quick reference.

By obtaining an off-the-shelf training CDs, you can spend your time on more important tasks like developing your own teaching and safety management skills, as well as creating better relationships with employees in your company. This relationship building will lead to more compliance over time as the trust between management and employees is enhanced.

Electrical and Chemical Safety Clothing

T.A.S.C.O. Tip: Safety clothing in the workplace is a vast topic, especially when it comes to protection against electric shock or chemical burns. For example, when you shop for electrical protective clothing, you'll find different products vary in what is called an arc rating. Arc ratings are expressed as calories per centimeter squared. These values are determined by testing both thermal performance and a material's breakthrough threshold. These ratings are calculations based on a minimum of 20 data points generated in arc testing.

Of course, math and science experts best understand this subject. Suffice it to say that arc testing results are determined by how much energy can be transmitted through material without burning human tissue. When you evaluate safety clothing online, you'll see arc ratings such as 8 cal/cm2 or 17 cal/cm2. It's crucial that you research which arc-rated clothing will protect employees at your workplace.

When it comes to chemical hazards, the details are even more complex. One way to access advice on chemical protective clothing is through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)'s Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards at www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/protect.html. At this site, you can search for specific information on a variety of chemicals including arsenic and tungsten. This information includes measurement methods, first aid, personal protection and sanitation, respirator recommendations, exposure routes and the symptoms of exposure.

Workplace Respirator Terms

T.A.S.C.O Tip: When workplaces subject employees to harmful gasses, air particles, chemicals, dust and debris, federal law requires employer law to make approved respirators available. Not providing such safety products could result in stiff fines and penalties by OSHA. Do not confuse respirators with ventilators, which actually assist in breathing. Rather, respirators force air through a specially designed filter before it is inhaled. Other times, respirators provide an alternate source of clean air. The design of respirators differs based on what harmful matter they are designed to protect employees against. OSHA offers some important terminology that will help both employers and employees understand respirators technology:

• Assigned Protection Factor: This is the workplace level of respiratory protection that a class of respirators is expected to provide employees in a variety of work situations.
• Canister (or Cartridge): This is a container with a filter, sorbent or catalyst that removes contaminants from air passed through this container.
• Loose-fitting facepiece: This is an inlet covering that forms a partial seal to the face, as opposed to a tight-fitting one whereby the air pressure inside the respirator is negative during inhalation.
• HEPA filter: This filter can remove at least 99.97% of monodisperse particles of .3 micrometers in diameter.

Designer Safety Glasses Are all the Rage

T.A.S.C.O. Tip: Remember the dreaded safety goggles everyone had to wear in shop class? They were bulky and they were ugly. Those days have given way to the age of designer safety glasses.

It's true that employees — especially those in potentially dangerous jobs — shouldn't be worried about how they look. Nevertheless, happy employees are typically productive employees. So now, companies can buy safety glasses named Storm, Boas and Winchester. They can find numerous frame colors appealing to both men and women. Some frames are even two colors or have a camouflage design. Some frames are frosted in blue, black and gray. Instead of added geeky-looking side shields, many safety glasses have them built in. Wrap around lenses are quite popular on many websites and these designer safety glasses still meet ANSI standards for safety in certain workplaces. Lenses now come in a variety of tints, even multiple tones and iridescent looks.

Designer safety glasses are also more comfortable than ever. Many are made of lightweight polycarbonate and other high-tech materials. Lenses are scratch resistant. Frames come with gel-padded noses, non-slip rubber head grips, temple sleeves and temples made of metal alloys.

However, be careful buying such designer safety eye wear. Pay attention to specifics, a product's unique characteristics and any limitations it may have. For example, tinted lenses are not just to look good but varying colors work best in various light conditions and not in others. Stick to tried-and-true companies who are introducing designer safety glasses rather than any unknown vendors you find through a simple online search. Finally, if you have any questions about designer safety glasses, contact your company's certified safety professionals, ANSI, or OSHA.