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Wildfires continue to wreak havoc throughout California and beyond. In response to the latest round of wildfires, California and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have enacted an emergency regulation that’s meant to protect outdoor workers from potentially dangerous wildfire smoke. It’s not just firefighters who have to worry about breathing in various toxins and smoke. Gardeners, landscapers, construction workers, and anyone else who has to be outside as part of their job …

It’s almost No Shave November, or Movember as it’s often called, and that means many of your male employees may be sporting facial hair in the weeks to come. Some of your employees may already have thick beards and mustaches, but all that extra hair can be a hazard for those that need to wear respirators on the job, including those that work in construction, mining, and manufacturing. Your employees must wear respirators on the job when exposed to hazardous chemicals and airborne compounds, r …

We make specific recommendations below, but first a little background... Working in the manufacturing or construction industries usually means working near what’s known as silica dust, or respirable crystalline silica, which is commonly found in and around construction and manufacturing sites. It’s created by cutting, grinding, drilling, or crushing stone, rock, concrete, brick, mortar and other construction materials. Silica dust poses a direct and serious threat to the health of …

As the AB1124 California Bill goes into effect, we’re taking a moment to talk about what employers should look for in a respirator or face mask. The bill requires employers to provide N95 rated respirators (at a minimum) to all their employees working outdoors during a wildfire. Wildfire smoke can irritate a person’s eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and it can cause cancer, heart disease and even lead to death. N95 respirators protect individuals from some of the particulates present in wildfir …

California has just passed a new bill that would require employers in the state to provide their workers with respirators during a wildfire while working outdoors. This comes after California experienced one of the worst years on record for wildfires, endangering residents and workers throughout the state. Wildfire smoke is full of dangerous toxins that can reduce lung function, cause cancer, increase the risk of heart disease, and even lead to death. California State Assembly Bill AB1124 is …

California has a history of wildfires caused by windstorms blowing trees into power lines. This year, multiple wind-driven wildfires moving through California have affected thousands of people living and working in the area. For example, the most recent Thomas fire has burned 270,500 acres. It's only about 60% contained, according to Cal Fire. The fire threat is still in effect in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Currently, 17,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders in Santa Ba …

The death toll from wildfires ravaging across Northern California has reached 23, and hundreds are reported missing. According to CNN, the director of Cal Fire, Ken Pimlott, expects the number of homes and businesses that have been destroyed to rise significantly from 3,500. 8,000 firefighters battling 22 small and large fires are challenged by low humidity and windy conditions in seven counties including Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino. The flames have and continue to consum …

Crystalline silica is a common mineral that is found in materials that construction workers deal with every day – such as roads, buildings, and sidewalks. It is a common component of sand, stone, rock, concrete, brick, block and mortar. Common workplace operations involving cutting, sawing, drilling, and crushing of these materials often create crystalline silica dust exposure in construction. Scientific evidence shows that current exposure limits do not adequately protect worker health. The …

Let the Cinco de Mayo festivities begin early! Find your sombreros, grab some amigos, and shop our top 5 must-have safety products, perfectly paired for your easy everyday protection.Pair 1: Gas Detector + Docking Station The BW Clip4 Four Gas Detector provides portable, easy-to-use multi?gas detection that’s always on. It detects Oxygen (O2), Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), Carbon monoxide (CO), Lower Explosive Levels (LEL) of a variety of combustible gases. It offers a full 2?year warranty …

When it comes to choosing the right respirator or dust mask, it all comes down to the job you're trying to tackle. To be safe, you should always consider using a respirator if you'll be exposed to biological contaminants, dusts, mists, fumes, and gases, or oxygen-deficient atmospheres according to OSHA. There are two types of respirators: air-purifying respirators and atmosphere-supplying respirators. Air-purifying respirators use filters, cartridges, or canisters to remove contamina …