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I haven't seen it yet, so there's no chance I'm going to spoil it for you. Apparently the Batman movie features some very questionable safety practices. In fact "practices" is probably the wrong word. If you tried this once, that would be all the practice you received. Then you'd be dead. Christian Bale aka Bruce Wayne aka Batman does some serious climbing with only a rope tied to a belt. Hasn't he heard of OSHA? Does he call that PPE? What's wrong with a full-body harness Mr. Wayne? Don …

Summer is right around the corner, are you adequately protected? Depending on your geographic locale, some insect borne illnesses that you may be at risk for are: Lyme disease, Heartland virus, West Nile disease, and more.There are many repellent ingredients and application types on the market. Depending on the work environment you need to use it in, there can be unique advantages and disadvantages for each of the products available. A few lesser known facts about these repellents includ …

Looking for a great confined space fan that won't break the bank? The Ecko K30 ventilation fan is the newest ventilator from the experts at Euramco. This 12 in. blower/exhauster and has a .62 horsepower motor and is part of Euramco's economy line of blower. The features of this fan are similar to much more expensive models. The K30 is capable of moving over 2400 cubic feet of air per minute. That's a whole lot of air. It has a precision-balanced 11-blade, polypropylene impeller. The …

SCBA, or self-contained breathing apparatus, is critical for areas where the atmosphere just isn't fit to breath. Confined space workers and firefighters both utilize this equipment. But what happens when that equipment fails? If you are like a DeKalb Georgia firefighter in the news lately, you jump out of a second-story window. Firefighters say the problem with the Draeger equipment has been ongoing and the most recent malfunction is part of an ongoing problem. Draeger, on the other hand, …

The old saying that you get what you pay for is especially true when we are talking about the most comfortable work harnesses. While there are hundreds of harnesses on the market that meet OSHA and ANSI standards, most of them fail to meet basic standards of comfort. For instance, the most economical fall protection harness we carry at pksafety.com is the Protecta AB17510. It's a fine harness if an OSHA inspector shows up on the job site. It's a basic, functional, 3-point harness tha …

We wanted to take a few minutes to talk about our Confined Space Entry Contractor’s Kit. This is perfect for folks doing occasional confined space work who don’t want to make a big investment in equipment. The Kit meets all relevant OSHA standards but won’t break the bank. It comes with a BW MAX XT II 4-Gas Monitor. It’s one of our best sellers for confined space entry. The MAX XT has an internal pump and a hose attachment that allows you to pull air samples from the space you’re abou …

Companies that have significant stores of ammonia or even waste treatment plants with chlorine run the risk of serious hazards if things go from all is normal to all heck breaking loose. Refrigeration plant operators, supervisors, and facility managers are all aware of the dangers, but in the heat of the moment well-placed safety equipment can make all the difference. Most folks who work in an ice or refrigeration plant or other facilities that store, use, or create byproducts of haz …

For effective communication, a message must be sent, received and understood. Sounds simple enough, but when working in a confined space with noise, machinery, and respiratory protective equipment in place, communication can be a challenge. Confined spaces can also create an echo that interferes with clear communication. If there is an emergency situation, you can add anxiety and labored breath to the equation. All this highlights the need for a clear and reliable confined space communi …

The sensors in your gas monitor work in different ways to keep you safe. Some wear out relatively quickly, while others could conceivably last forever. Here is a very quick overview to help you understand basic gas sensor technology. We hope this information will allow you to see the benefits of regular maintenance, bump testing and calibration. The most common sensors used in confined space work are Oxygen, % LEL (Lower Explosive Level), Carbon Monoxide, and Hydrogen Sulfide. Howeve …

Wristlets are deployed when there is no other way to get a rescuer or victim out of a confined space. Most often this is because the entry is too narrow or restricted to allow retrieval with a regular harness and a D-ring attachment. Wristlets must be used carefully because they can put so much strain on a persons joints and muscles. This can be painful and may cause injury, but in an emergency they can be an excellent rescue tool. Wrist straps are also used for horizontal extr …