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By Alison Grimes, Health Advocate, MAA Center Although there are federal and state laws in place to restrict the use of asbestos in products and materials, the dangerous carcinogen has still yet to be banned in the United States. With six different types of asbestos, the natural mineral takes many dangerous shapes and forms. As a result, certain types of asbestos are more lethal than others. Chrysotile, the most common form, has long, curly fibers allowing the fibers to be woven, tot …

All it takes is a few inches of water to cause an extensive damage to your property, which can quickly become irreversible. Water damage can be devastating especially to the building’s structure: it weakens the foundation, causes cracks, and creates easy pathways for water to enter the building. If water is not removed in a timely manner, mold and other microbial organisms can begin to grow, creating damage and health hazards. So, when should you start worrying that moisture could …

By Dusty Henry, Sevan Locks & Doors  When you consider occupational safety, there are a lot of different occupations that may come to mind first for needing protective equipment – construction workers, welders, etc. Being a locksmith can actually be rather hazardous work for your health as well. There is, of course, the inherent danger of dealing with going into a stranger’s home, business, or locked car. But there are even more dangers than this to consider. Protective e …

Mold remediation is the process of removing mold and repairing mold-related damage in buildings. There are two important things to remember when dealing with mold: it is easier to prevent mold by controlling moisture and monitoring humidity levels; and when you face the mold danger, it is urgent that you take care of it immediately since it is harmful and is able to spread very fast. Studies have found that mold grows on materials that remain wet for 48 hours. A simple and easy way of prevent …

Father’s Day can be a tough one for finding a perfect gift, or not so hard, if you know your father well and pay attention to what he likes. Sure, your dad would be happy with just a pat on the back from you, but come on, you could also add a special gift: something that he really enjoys! Also, don't forget to treat yourself this Father's Day. Here are 7 great gift suggestions for a handy Dad.Top 7 Gifts for Dad: Pyramex Venture 3 Safety Glasses, perfectly balanced from temple tips to the …

Doing a regular maintenance check on your HVAC unit is critical in preventing major problems from affecting your home or business. Now is the perfect time to check on your system if you haven't been doing so regularly. By performing regular HVAC maintenance, you can potentially lower your utility costs and extend the service life of your unit. Here's a look at different parts of your HVAC system and why they need to be cleaned or replaced periodically according to HVACMaintenance.or …

Many different types of work require repetitive motion or lack of movement altogether. Workers who frequently shift from standing to sitting can damage their knees. Others stand for long periods with little variety of movement, causing lower back stress and joint pain. If they experience muscular, nerve, or joint pain regularly, and believe that it's work related, the cause may be repetitive strain injury (RSI). RSI is generally caused by performing a particular activity repeatedly or for a l …

On average, there are more than 800 construction worker fatalities per year. Falls are the number one cause of fatalities among construction workers. Harnesses, self-retracting lifelines, and lanyards don't always provide enough protection. What you may not know is that OSHA regulation 1910.23(a) requires protection for floor openings. Garlock Safety Systems has been addressing fall protection and roofing needs since 1959. Garlock’s manufacturing facility features a highly …

We get lots of people contacting us wanting to know how to properly remove asbestos from their homes. The questions, and our answers, generally center around removal of asbestos from four main areas: furnace ducting, floor tiles, exterior siding, and the old popcorn ceiling. They are not all the same, and there are varying levels of success for the DIY homeowners. Almost everyone knows they are digging into a dangerous mess when they start any project dealing with asbestos. Professional …

Folks have asked us for years about a gas detector that is suitable for HVAC installers, or even for home and RV use. Since most of the gas monitors we carry at PK are designed for industrial applications, we did our research and found what we think is the best inexpensive gas monitor on the market - the BOLO Combustible Gas Sniffer from Nova Systems. The BOLO gas detector is easy to use. It has an audible clicking sound kind of like an old Geiger counter. The clicks get closer together …