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If you are a contractor, carpenter, plumber, HVAC technician, or utility worker, chances are you are already quite familiar with SoftKnees No-Strap Knee Pads from Working Concepts. Folks who kneel or work on rough surfaces daily know how comfortable and lightweight SoftKnees can be. They weigh practically nothing and slip easily into your Carhartt or Dickies work pants with knee pad pockets. SoftKnees are sold by the pair and are sometimes referred to as Carhartt pads or Dickies Pads. Wo …

Harnesses are made to protect you in the event of a fall. But they're not made to protect from multiple falls over time. That won't stop workers from suiting up for work today wearing their "lucky harness" that saved them last June.The problem is, that lucky harness isn't going to be so kind the next time something happens. According to Miller (now under the umbrella of safety giant Honeywell), harnesses have about a 5 year life expectancy from their first date of use even if they never experi …

Some of the more dangerous particles to breath into your lungs are mold spores and asbestos particles. If you are working in areas with either of these factors, as a professional or a do-it-yourselfer, be sure your personal protective equipment (PPE) is up to the task you are setting for it. One of our most popular respirators is the Moldex 9000 Series Full Mask Respirator. The 9000 series masks offer full-face protection which is especially important when particles can also affect the mucous me …

There are still plenty of dirty jobs across America. Particles are flying and working men and women are exposed to them every day. Luckily eye protection for these folks is keeping pace with the times. A new category of eyewear has emerged that finds fans in heavy manufacturing and oil & gas production. Suppliers call it "sealed eyewear" and it's bridging the gap between safety glasses and standard goggles. Traditionally it has been a challenge to find the correct eye protection on a fi …

Lots of folks out there are finding they need to put together a post fall rescue program. But wouldn't it be easier if a fallen worker could simply rescue themselves? How much time and manpower could be saved, not to mention allowing the fallen worker to avoid the discomfort and possible long term health effects of suspension trauma. Now there is a product called the Latchways Personal Rescue Device (PRD) does just that. Rescuing a worker after they have experienced a fall is often a …

Scissor lifts are one of the most popular ways for workers to reach projects at heights. But do the guard rails on these lifts provide all the fall protection necessary for the workers utilizing them? The American National Safety Institute ( ANSI) deems guard rails around the work platform to be a sufficient fall prevention measure. But in practice they may not be. Fall protection needs to be evaluated in relation to the work being performed. If you have a scissor lift in operation at …

Electricians have one of the most dangerous jobs in the country according to OSHA reports. While the wattage in homes is enough to cause serious damage or death, even greater danger occurs when workers are exposed to the major electrical forces involved with municipalities and major factory and industrial work. And while training and experience are often the best ways to avoid injury, there are tools and clothing that are specially made to help an electrician fare better in the event of an ac …

Workers and employers are becoming more aware of the problems associated with suspension trauma (also called orthostatic intolerance) which can affect a fall victim who is held aloft by their full-body harness. What people have been asking with some regularity lately is if the suspension trauma straps from one company will work with a harness from another. The answer, as far as we can tell with the products we have tried and the manufacturers we've talked to, is yes. Last week a cust …

Some of the specialty products we sell on PK Safety aren't items you typically see in the media. So we were quite surprised to see the DuPont Tychem HazMat Training Suit will be part of the wardrobe on The Office on NBC Jan 9th, 2013. The episode is about an infestation of lice in the office. As the parent of a 9- and an 11-year-old, I have had more than enough experience with lice combs and shampoo that burns your scalp, so I can appreciate the desire to fully encapsulate your body …

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) doesn't make the laws, but it does influence the standards adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) which is tasked with enforcing safety and health legislation. ANSI fall safety standards such as the ANSI Z359 Fall Protection Code are developed by a consensus of experts in government, private industry, and related organizations. But they're not the law, so why do so many people follow their directives? ANSI Z35 …