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One of the big dangers if you are an auto refinisher are the isocyanates that are present in many of the paints used on vehicles. Isocyanates are a serious health hazard for those working in the automobile industry or doing autobody repair. Others who work grinding metals or with hazardous particles in their air space also find traditional filters or cartridges simply don't work (as with isocyanates) or are not a match for the atmospheres they work in. These situations are ideal for supplied …

There are about 20 good reasons you need to make sure you have current calibration gas for use when calibrating and bump testing your gas monitor. But for the purposes of this post, we'll stick to the top two or three. Knowing the expiration of your calibration gas supply is more important than checking that gallon of milk that has been in your refrigerator for the past couple of weeks. Milk has more ways of letting you know it is no longer fit for breakfast. While milk might go s …

What happens when your small business grows, and you find yourself having to contend for the first time with confined space issues? There is quite a bit to do, and every aspect has a specific reason for being. Here is a basic primer for working in confined spaces for those who have not had these important responsibilities before. First, conduct an assessment of the on-site hazards. Describe the different roles and responsibilities of each of the parties involved in servicing these confi …

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 …

If you use a hoist for confined space entry on a regular basis, the DBI-SALA 8518000 Advanced 5-Piece Hoist System, though more expensive, is so far superior to a standard tripod they are hardly in the same category. The Advanced 5-Piece Hoist System is designed to make entry and exit of confined spaces quick and reliable.  This system is lightweight, modular, and can be adapted to many different entry scenarios. Especially popular with municipalities, water districts and …

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) would like your gas detectors calibrated before each use. A full calibration for a 4-gas monitor requires about $6.60 worth of calibration gas, and takes about 5 minutes. This should be all the answer anyone needs, but in practice if your company has 500 monitors, it isn’t always practical and OSHA and ANSI know it. In text attempting to clarify the issue, the two regulatory agencies submit that it is best to follow the manufactur …

The US wine making industry has grown tremendously over the past 20 years. Professionals and hobbyists alike ferment great quantities of pressed grapes to produce the ancient ambrosia. However, not all parts of the wine making process bring joy. There is a serious side to viticulture where cleaning equipment, tanks, vats and other confined spaces may hide potentially lethal dangers for those who press the noble grape. Confined spaces within the wine industry can relate to any areas, ful …

We never realize how dark it is until we need light. Profound, right? Example - Try changing a tire in the dark. More numerous are instances in which a little more light would be extremely helpful, like hooking up a stereo, putting up your tent while camping, looking for keys dropped by a party guest, and the list goes on. A good solution for these troublesome events is a gadget that is hands-free. The best solution is a product that outperforms all others. It’s why PK is excited to offer all …

Confined spaces can be a pain to ventilate, and every location you work in will be a little different. As a result, it can be difficult to find your bearings when you're first starting out. We're well aware of this, so we've put together this basic guide to help you complete your first ventilation jobs safely.1. What are we up against? Start every job this way: Assess the safety of your confined space by using a multi-gas detector with a pump and a remote test probe. These two features w …

When considering work in confined spaces or around dangerous gases, it is important to have gas detectors present so that dangerous levels of gases can be detected. This helps you make informed decisions about whether to start work, and in the event of a problem, providing time for workers to get to safety. With so many choices in gas detection, it may be difficult to choose the right unit for you. Here is a recent question we recently received. "I am interested in purchasing a 4-gas mo …