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There is an epidemic in the construction industry that is costing companies billions of dollars in lost revenue and workers their wellbeing. The good news? It’s largely preventable. Hand injuries resulting from cuts and punctures cost the construction industry $382 million each year. This doesn’t account for any other type of injury, just those two very specific hand injuries. How can your company better protect workers and avoid hurting productivity and profitability? Even in an economic …

The American National Standards Institute and the European Union have developed different standards for cut resistant gloves testing and rating criteria, the purpose of which is to facilitate the classification of cut protective clothing. The United States uses ISEA/ANSI standards, while Europe uses EN certification. The standard has no impact on poking or piercing hazards like needle sticks and sharp corners of the broken glass. Two types of cut testing equipment are used to support the …

While it may seem obvious, one of the easiest things you can do to decrease your PPE cost is to take care of it. Companies who properly launder their safety gloves can often increase lifespan by up to 300%. Laundering removes harmful chemicals, perspiration, and everyday grit and grime that can weaken protective fibers and seams. Think of the grit like sandpaper. Every move you make is creating friction as these particles rub against the threads of your gloves. Additionally, many OBMs an …

By Jim Moryan, Marketing Communications, Allegro Industries Introducing EZ AIR Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) as a Complete System for Ultimate Worker Protection by Allegro Industries Workers will experience more comfort, less fatigue and improved productivity with the Allegro EZ AIR PAPR complete particulate system intended for industrial applications where respiratory, eye and face protection is required. The System features a motorized, Lithium-ion battery operati …

Folks experienced in working under harsh conditions are usually great at keeping themselves warm. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to review some cold weather protection basics with your workers before the temperature hits extremes. Now is a good time to hold a safety meeting and explain the importance of hypothermia prevention. In general, the objective should be learning or refreshing the knowledge of best practices on how to conserve body heat and avoid bare skin exposure when working in co …

In recent years, rapid technology advancement allowed manufacturers to create more sophisticated yarns that improved glove performance significantly. Cut-resistant gloves and sleeves are designed to protect hands and arms from direct contact with sharp objects made of metal, ceramic, or glass. Cut level protection is ensured by a combination of the material’s composition and thickness. The level of cut protection can be increased by using high-performance materials (Kevlar, Dyneema); com …

Concrete Burn Causes Concrete burns are just that, burns that are caused by skin’s exposure to concrete and other materials that can lead to a chemical reaction. Concrete burns work slowly over hours or days as the concrete hardens. In order for concrete to harden, it has to absorb moisture—cement can draw water away from anything that has moisture—even wet clothing—which only aids in the drying process. Once concrete hardens, if left untreated, skin begins to blister, swell, and bleed; sec …

Revised ISEA Hand Protection Selection Criteria Guides End-Users and Specifiers The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) has received American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approval for ANSI/ISEA 105-2016, American National Standard for Hand Protection Classification, with cut-resistance testing and updated corresponding classification levels as key focus areas. ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 was prepared by the Hand Protection Group of the ISEA and reviewed by a conse …

The Fourth of July is a time to enjoy fireworks in the company of family and friends. The first commemorative Independence Day fireworks were set off by John Adams in 1777. Since then, the nation has celebrated this holiday by staging pyrotechnic extravaganza shows with live music and family fun, or just by lighting smaller displays at home. Explorer Richard Byrd even set off fireworks to salute the USA in Antarctica on a day that was comparatively warm for that region (- 30°F)! The thr …

Landscaping is a job that many DIYers who love to work outdoors take upon themselves. There are obvious dangers to this kind of work when operating heavy automatic machinery (rototillers, mowers, weed wackers, Bobcats, tractors, trenchers, and blowers) that we will cover below. Many creative home improvement enthusiasts and even some professional contractors are unaware of the potential hazards of landscaping. “An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure.” (Benjamin Franklin) …