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A customer recently wrote to ask us the following question: If my 6 ft. self-retracting lifeline (SRL) is pulled all the way to the end, is there any excess line/cable left on the reel if I take a fall? The answer is yes, there will be an extra turn or two left to insure that the force of a fall won’t tear the webbing or cable off the reel.  The length of an SRL is generally measured from bearing to bearing. In other words from the anchor point to the snap hook at the end of …

Bug X 30 with DEET keeps mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, fleas and other pests away without making you feel like you've just rubbed Kerosene on your skin. Bug X follows the new suggestions from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to reduce the amount of DEET concentration, while creating a non-greasy towelette application that remains effective for more than seven hours. Effective insect repellent is more important than ever as mosquitoes and other flying insects are carrying West Nil …

It's surprising how many different uses people have for DuPont Tyvek protective suits. From radiation protection to Halloween costumes people continue to find uses for this incredible fabric. Here is a list of our eight favorite. #1 The Dipster disposable bikini is from the 70's (could you tell from the picture?) These Tyvek (swim)suits are still in production, though in a slightly less stylish form, for the medical industry. Sorry folks, we are not planning on carrying this item …

One of the worst thing about most webbing harnesses on the market is the tangled mess they become when they have been stored in a bag or the back of a truck. Legs get flipped inside out, and 10 minutes can go by before you figure out just what goes where. That specific problem must have made it to the ears of Delta Harness designers because the Delta No-Tangle system solves this problem no matter how you store your gear. The heart of this design is the pad which keeps the back cross-ove …

There is an old saying when in comes to safety that "the best mask is one you'll wear". And we agree. However, if there are a couple of masks comfortable enough to keep on while you work, then you've got some choices to make. For simple wood sanding, some folks recommend the old standard 3M 8210 particulate respirator. Lots of people would call this style a dust mask. Others would say that it's barely better than nose hair. It's an N95 which means it will filter out 95% of the particulat …

The second in a two-part series on boatyard DIY protective equipment: In this follow-up post, we will discuss respirators, ear protection, and boots for defense against harmful chemicals in the boatyard. To find out about eye protection, Tyvek suits and gloves for painting, click on Boatyard Protective Gear Pt. 1 Boat repair and maintenance requires working with some pretty toxic products. Even folks who are only working to get their boats ready for the sunny season will …

Customers occasionally send in reviews of the products they have purchased from PKSafety.com.  We appreciate hearing how our products hold up in the field, and what are the favorites, especially in a product like ear plugs where there are so many choices. Jody in Los Angeles writes: "These ear plugs work really well and are my favorite for comfort. I've been a heavy equipment operator for over 33 years, I've tried them all. These are definitely my favorite. " When as …

Last month Kelly, our store manager from TowerClimbing.com, and I had the pleasure to attend the annual NATE (National Association of Tower Erectors) conference in San Antonio, TX. In addition to meeting a bunch of great people, we learned a lot about the tower industry. Kelly is here today to tell you a little bit more about what we learned.  NATE Annual Conference & Exposition offered a unique chance to speak with individuals of the tower erection, service and maintenance in …

Last week Jim Boone of Coretex came to our office to talk with us about his product, SunX Sunscreen. We loved how Jim's company is taking a wonderful product and making it available and affordable for the outdoor worker. Here's a quick video that we put together with Jim that highlights the benefits and affordability of SunX. Video Transcript Hi, this is Rick Pedley and welcome to PK Safety. Today I’m here with Jim Boone of Coretex manufacturing and we’re talking about SunX …

The first in a two-part series on boatyard DIY protective equipment: The PK Safety offices are located near a boat repair facility in Alameda California. Each day we see boat owners and crew members working on their boats wearing substandard protective equipment. Sail or power, boat projects often involve coming into contact with some of the most toxic chemical and paint products on the market. From epoxy to bottom paint to varnish, almost everything that preserves a boat is potentially …