first-aid first’-aid’ (fûrst’ād’) adj.
n.
Emergency treatment administered to an injured or sick person before professional medical care is available.

First Aid Kits and Supplies include everything from Storage Cabinets and First Aid Kits to Refills on Pain Medications and Bandages. First Aid Kits and Supplies are necessary in every facility or warehouse, regardless of the type of product being produced. First Aid Signs, Labels and Tags are also available to remind employees of First Aid locations and procedures.

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OSHA’s latest rule on cranes and derricks in construction went into effect on November 8, 2010 and now impacts equipment not typically categorized as cranes in the past. The new rule, meant to prevent the leading causes of crane-related accidents and fatalities, now includes definitions referring to “multi-purpose machines”. Defined as “[machines] configured to hoist and lower (by means of a winch or hook) and horizontally move a suspended load”, users of these non-traditional crane products should be aware of these changes and how the new regulations will impact how they use their equipment. Click here to visit the OSHA site and download a PowerPoint Presentation on the new law.

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According to OSHA §1910.335(b),employers are required to use safety signs, labels and tags to warn and protect employees from hazards that could cause injury due to arc flashes, electrical shock, burns or failure of electrical equipment.  This is one example of how to utilize labels in your workplace.  Seton provides labeling solutions to meet all your business needs.  We offer 1,000’s of labels ranging from standard OSHA and shipping labels to custom bar code and promotional labels made to your specifications.

Whatever your labeling needs, Seton is here to safeguard your assets, facility, equipment and property.

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Employers are required to protect employees from workplace hazards that can cause injury; including sharp edges, falling objects, flying sparks, chemicals, noise and a variety of other potentially dangerous situations. To learn more about OSHA’s requirements for PPE use in the workplace visit: OSHA.gov

Some general guidelines for introducing PPE:
- Know the different types of PPE
- Selecting appropriate PPE products for a variety of workplace situations
- Understanding the proper use and care of PPE

Seton offers a full selection of PPE to meet all your needs – welding and protective clothing, safety eyewear, headwear, hearing protection, gloves, fall protection and respirators from the brands you have come to trust. Check it out today!

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Back on August 2nd I posted a blog about an announcement made July 28, 2010 by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It was on that day we heard OSHA would be issuing a new rule addressing the use of cranes and derricks in construction. This new rule is suppose to take effect on Nov. 8, 2010, but it seems that there are many unanswered questions about this new rule and people are asking for more time to review and understand the new rules before they are enforced.

A recent article posted by DJC Oregon states: “New Occupational Health and Safety Administration rules intended to improve safety for crane operations are set to go into effect Nov. 8, but some industry stakeholders say the rules are too complex to be implemented so soon.”

So what exactly is the issue? It appears that the new rules were presented in a 1,100-page report and although many seem to be pleased with the new ruling, 1,100 pages is a lot to read and take in. Concern has been expressed that there are things in the report that need clarification and are asking that OSHA extend the new ruling.

To read more about this please visit djcoregon.com

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On July 28, 2010 The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it is issuing a new rule addressing the use of cranes and derricks in construction. This new rule will take effect on Nov. 8, 2010 and will replace the current standard that dates back to 1971.

“The rule addresses critically important provisions for crane operator certification, and crane inspection, set-up and disassembly,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “Compliance with the rule will prevent needless worker injuries and death, and provide protection for the public and property owners.”

“The new rule is designed to prevent the leading causes of fatalities, including electrocution, crushed-by/struck-by hazards during assembly/disassembly, collapse and overturn.” To read the complete rule click here.

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Were you aware that violations classified as “willful” and “repeated” carry much higher penalties? It can cost employers up to $70,000 per violation. And did you know that these types of violations also carry greater consequences than occasional violations? Consequences such as civil liability and adverse press attention. Now those could really put a damper on things.

Well EHS Today recently published an article outlining these 5 steps that employers can take to help avoid falling victim to citations:

• DON’T ARGUE WITH THE STANDARDS
• KNOW YOUR OSHA HISTORY
• DON’T IGNORE EMPLOYEE COMPLAINTS OR ACCIDENT REPORTS
• DON’T ARGUE WITH THE INSPECTOR
• CONSULT A KNOWLEDGEABLE LAWYER EARLY ON

To read the full story click here.

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Construction sites are very busy places. Have you ever noticed all the workers, all the equipment and all the commotion? Construction sites have many comers and goers  that bring a variety of noises and commotion inside and out.

Each of the workers, depending on their specialty/trade, comes equipped with different pieces of machinery and tools, creating a variety of noises at different points throughout the construction project.

The Importance of Hearing Protection

While OSHA’s limit of 90 dBA requires the use of hearing protection devices (HPDs), many construction sites often can exceed this and many  construction employees do not always wear hearing protection.

Some of their most common complaints are that hearing protectors are uncomfortable, hot and create a situation where they cannot hear warning signals or fellow workers. In addition to employees finding it a nuisance to wear the appropriate hearing protection, other common issues that prevent workers from wearing their HPDs are that they are not trained properly, do not have access to the appropriate HPDs or simply are unaware of the need for hearing protection.

While this may be the point of view of the worker, the use of proper hearing protection must be reinforced by the contractor or project manager to protect the worker themselves and to also reduce the risk of OSHA fines against the construction company responsible for the project. There are many types of hearing protection available to meet employee needs in terms of both compliance and comfort.

How to Choose Proper Hearing Protection

• The noise level and even the frequency of the predominant noises may need to be considered. This may require the assistance of a health and safety professional.
• Next, maintenance of the hearing protectors must be considered. Construction sites often can be very dirty, and therefore, employees may want a product that is easy to maintain or requires little or no maintenance, such as earplugs or hearing bands.
• Finally, a very important factor is how the hearing protector interacts with other personal protective equipment such as hard hats, eye protection and welding hoods. The hearing protector should not interfere in any way with other safety devices. If it does interfere with other safety devices, an overall assessment of personal protective equipment might be needed.

Employers are advised to refer to OSHA’s noise in construction standard, 29 CFR1926.52. If feasible, though not required, the construction employer may wish to consider OSHA’s general industry noise standard — 29CFR1910.95 — which is a more in-depth program and provides more guidance in protecting workers.

No matter what type of construction you perform, Seton has the hearing protection and other personal protective equipment supplies to keep you safe and compliant.

Safety tips were provided by Jeff Birkner, a Certified Industrial Hygienist, courtesy of EHS Today Visit their the EHS Today site for more information.

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Workers from a US Postal Distribution Center in Scarborough, Maine have been repeatedly exposed to severe electrical shocks including arc flashes and blasts. Fines totaling over $430,000 were issued on Monday June 28, 2010.

According to OSHA,

“The citations and sizable fines reflect the Postal Service’s failure to equip its workers with the necessary knowledge and skills to safely work with live electrical parts,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “The Postal Service knew that proper and effective training was needed for the safety of its workers but did not provide it.”

OSHA’s investigation began in late December 2009 when an employee compliant came through. One of the reasons why the fines are so steep is because they are considered “willful”.  OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health. For more information on this story please visit http://osha.gov/

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OSHA is developing a standard to address the fire and explosion hazards of combustible dust. On June 28, 2010, at 1 p.m. (EDT), OSHA will hold it’s first combustible dust web chat. The purpose of this chat is to gather helpful information that OSHA can later use to help in the development of this standard. OSHA invites all interested parties to participate by registering their name, affiliation, and e-mail address. This will allow OSHA to respond to comments or seek clarification if the need arises.

Those who wish to participate can access the Web Chat at http://www.dol.gov/dol/chat.htm. If you are unable to login during the scheduled chat the Web Blog will remain accessible for additional feedback through July 7, 2010.

For more info on the Combustible Dust Web Chat please visit the OSHA website.

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