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Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, HVAC techs and many other tradesmen find themselves crawling around attics and crawlspaces on a regular basis. Now they are going to need to bring one more piece of equipment with them - a personal 4-gas monitor. OSHA has recently clarified their standard concerning these very routine work areas and they are officially now classified as confined spaces. Confined spaces are inherently dangerous, and OSHA's not unreasonable response is to require add …

Large job sites have so many projects and workers operating at once, it can be difficult to maintain communication with all of them. Many accidents happen because one set of workers is unaware of the harm their actions may cause to another team. Confined spaces entrants are already putting themselves into an area with known dangers. But it can get even more dangerous if machinery unexpectedly gets turned on, or tons of grain begins to fall on the head of you or your team. The key to con …

Fall protection equipment needs to be regularly inspected by a Competent Person according the specifications set forth in the ANSI Z359 protection codes if you want your Z359-rated equipment to be considered usable. Inspection is critical for all fall protection safety equipment, whether you intend to meet the highest standards in the country or not. To do this effectively, it's important to have a consistent process for the inspection. For each piece of equipment you have in your inventory, …

I’m fascinated about the basics of atmospheric monitoring, how to change the air in a confined space by supplying ventilation, and effective uses of ducting. Aren’t you? Relying solely on your nose (no matter how magnificent it may be) is not the right method to detect airborne hazards. Many gases dull the senses over time, and only a proper gas detection unit with a test probe can properly asses the atmosphere of a confined space. The shape and location of many confined spaces make them …

When I started writing for PK Safety Supply three years ago, it was primarily because I needed a job. The offices were also close to home, the folks seemed nice, and they provided health care. Now, after writing over 250 blog posts and hundreds of website product pages, I've come to understand something about safety and the people who work in this industry. Everyone wishes they could find their true calling. We have a faux-motivational poster in the office that says "Get to Work. You …

For a ready-made, one-click solution to putting personal protective equipment on your employees, check out the PK Safety PPE Kit. Each kit arrives in a poly bag ready to pass out. Hearing protection, hand protection, eye protection, a hard hat, and a reflective safety vest are all included. Each piece of this safety kit meets OSHA safety standards. The Evolution 6121 hard hat is made of high-density polyethylene and has raised channels that run across the top. These ridges not only m …

People often ask us about asbestos-rated respirators. Everyone knows airborne asbestos, even in small quantities, is scary stuff. It can be very damaging to the lungs and is known to cause cancer. If you have work where you suspect or know for sure asbestos is present, you need to be extremely vigilant about using the proper safety equipment and making sure it is working perfectly. Because of the serious nature of asbestos removal, OSHA and other work safety standard agencies have exten …

Mold doesn't need much to get started. Supplied with a little moisture and some warmth it's very hard to completely eradicate once it gets started. In situations where there are large areas of mold, or when flooding or plumbing problems have occurred, it's important to follow recommended safety procedures while completing your work. There are a few basic precautions everyone working in moldy areas should follow. First, avoid breathing in mold or mold spores. Undisturbed, mold isn't like …

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 …

The London Olympic Park where Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix recently won gold medals has received a gold medal of its own. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) will honor the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) for what is being called the safest construction of an Olympic Stadium ever. The ODA is the public body responsible for developing and building the new venues and infrastructure for the Games in 2012. And while it might seem a bit of a back-handed compliment, rec …