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With summer fast approaching, we all know we need sunscreen to protect our skin.  We also know that if we want to keep away those pesky mosquitoes that like to snack on us this time of year and protect against insect-born disease, bug repellent is a great idea, too.  So, wouldn't a sunscreen that includes an insect repellent be perfect?  Actually, no. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) do not recommend using a combination sunscreen- …

Companies across the globe are including fragrances in their heating and ventilation systems. It's part of what emotional branding companies such as DMX call a multi-sensory experience. Retail stores may use scent in combination with audio and visual systems to enhance brand awareness. Smell associations, say DMX, are so strong they can even increase worker productivity. Whatever the reason, these scent systems can make it difficult for employees working in the affected areas who have frag …

Several of our users have asked us about the compatibility of fall protection components between different manufacturers. OSHA, in their wisdom, writes thousands of words on the subject, but in a way that only an attorney would be able to understand. We'll try to distill the issue so that everyone gets it. No. Don't use a lanyard from one company and an anchorage or other device from another company. Unless you're absolutely sure they're compatible, and unless you're an engineer, it's t …

To save money and to stick with my New Year’s resolution of making healthier life choices, I now commute to work by bicycle. Before this year, I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was about ten. But as the saying goes, I had no problem jumping right back on despite my fear of getting on the road with the relentless Californian drivers. I was certainly afraid of riding on the road with all the cars at first, but I've eventually gotten over that hump. Now I find myself facing a different concer …

Folks often ask us which respirator to use for spray painting and automotive body work. There are some good options out there but the type of filter and respirator mask will depend largely on the kind of work you do, and how often you are doing it. The only safe solution for urethane paint is pulling clean air from a remote spot and that requires an airline respirator system like the Allegro 9200-01 System. But let's talk about basics first. For instance, if you are sanding Bondo, gr …

The ATG G-Tek MaxiFlex Ultimate Nitrile-Coated Gloves are possibly the greatest gloves ever, if you believe the people who have taken the time to write reviews to our site. Even the titles of their reviews are very positive - "The Bomb Gloves" (not sure what that means, but the rest of the five-star review is exceedingly positive), "Awesome" writes Will from Hell, Michigan, "Best Light Work Gloves I've Used" says Grubby from Chicago, and "Some of the Best Fitting Gloves I Have Ever Used" s …

Last week a customer sent us a question asking how long the 3M 2097 Particulate Mold Filters last. The answer is - it depends. Since it's a fairly common question, and "it depends" is such an unsatisfactory answer, we thought we'd explain it here in a bit more detail. The useful life of filters and cartridges is not fixed. In the case of the 3M 2097 P100 (HEPA) filters, we have two elements to consider: the filter and the charcoal layer. The P100 HEPA (which stands for High-Efficiency …

Maybe it's just because of Facebook, but we are noticing a trend these days among dedicated fishermen - lots of them are making their own lead sinkers. Lead melts at a relatively low temperature, and many sporting suppliers sell molds for casting the fishing weights. It's fun. But beware - lead dust and fumes can be extremely toxic. Even if you are melting and casting lead outdoors, you still need to protect yourself with a respirator. Let's cover some of the basics for folks making the …

While many people will wear sunscreen to protect themselves from the sun, not many folks wear respirators around the house to protect themselves from the formaldehyde found in so many household products. Sure, we are a safety company and we'd love to see a respirator on every face and in every home. But in this case, you might be better protected with information. For instance, did you know that nail polish, glues, adhesives, and pressed-wood products like plywood and particle board tha …

The vast majority of people who enjoy shooting guns at indoor ranges are very conscious of safety. They wear hearing protection for their ears, and eye protection for their eyes. But very few wear respirators to protect their lungs from the lead dust that is nearly always present. Most shooters who frequent indoor ranges are aware of the potential for lead poisoning, but don't worry much about it. This can be a serious mistake. Lead, even at low levels, can significantly affect a person …