Dentec Safety Specialists introduces the Tri-Grip pre-molded earplugs from Tasco. The Tri-Grip has a unique triangular stem that assures better control when workers insert the plug into their ear canal, providing better fit, according to the company. The Tri-Grip has a 27decibels noise reduction rating when a higher protection is required. Its spherically curved flange design gives it the most comfortable fit among reusable plugs, Dentec says. Unlike foam plugs, it needs no rolling to insert and it can be washed for better hygiene. The Tri-Grip conforms to the oval shape of the ear canal for greater comfort.
www.dentecsafety.com

UniTech Services Group’s MAXAIR Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) provides superior respiratory protection anywhere workers may be exposed to heat stress or contaminated air, the company said. Its proprietary design provides complete protection from airborne particulates and splashes. UniTech is the exclusive authorized nuclear industry distributor of the NIOSH-approved powered air-purifying respirator. MAXAIR system features a helmet, disposable HE filter, filter cover, and choice of disposable cuff or shroud. LED visual safety indicators display real-time information on remaining battery life and airflow. Compared to traditional PAPRs, MAXAIR is 33 per cent lighter, making it more comfortable to wear for longer periods. Its patented hose-free design allows for increased freedom of movement and prevents workers from getting caught or snagged on objects in the work area.
www.unitech.ws

Gateway Safety’s Venom line of face protection products has a contemporary design at a price range that fits any budget, the company says. Venom Visors and the Venom Headgear unit are available separately or as a combo-pak, and are all ANSI Z87.1+ certified and CSA Z94.3 certified by Underwriters Laboratories. Venom Visors are made of a .060-inch thick polycarbonate material that’s been molded into a “fang” shape for complete facial coverage. Venom Visors are available in clear, clear anti-fog, and gray, as well as 3.0 and 5.0 IR filter shades for excellent protection when cutting, brazing, or gas welding. The Venom Headgear unit has an extra-soft brow pad and nape strap, and features a three-part comfort adjustment system to ensure that visors will stay in place when raised.
www.gatewaysafety.com

Sperian Protection has added two new lens tints to its popular Uvex Protégé XC line, a safety eyewear product that combines sports styling with lightweight comfort and a flexible design, the company says. In addition to the current offerings of clear, gray and SCT-Reflect 50 mirrored lens tints, Uvex Protégé XC is now offered with an amber lens tint, which provides enhanced contrast in lower light applications, such as working outdoors at dusk or in fog, and an SCT-Blue lens tint, specifically designed for use in areas with high levels of yellow or sodium vapor lighting, such as in the semi-conductor industry. Uvex Protégé proprietary Floating Lens design offers increased flexibility and fit with a secure wrap-around brow, while the expanded comfort and adjustability features include a soft cushioned nose bridge, flexible browbar, padded temple tips and an ultra-lightweight package of less than one ounce with a lifetime frame guarantee, Sperian says. Performance features include a wide range of lens tints, the highest available impact protection, complying with ANSI Z87+ (High Impact), CSA Z94.3, and Military V0 ballistic tests for impact (7x greater than ANSI), as well as durable long-lasting UvextraTM anti-fog and Hardcoat anti-scratch coatings.
www.uvex.us

Protective apparel provider Kappler announces the new Frontline 300, which combines chemical and flash-fire protection in a multi-use, single-exposure garment. This innovative garment is ideal for petrochemical line break situations, and was developed with detailed input from petrochemical safety officers, the company says. The result is a single-fabric solution for combined chemical/flash-fire protection, with an ensemble garment design that provides great versatility. Incorporating comparable protection to Kappler’s Zytron 300 chemical apparel, Frontline 300 provides excellent holdout for the most common hazards found in petrochemical industries. Kappler claims the new Frontline apparel also offers radiant heat protection that is far superior to other chemical/flash garments. This is a tremendous advantage to workers who can be exposed to temperatures reaching 1,900 degrees F (1,038 C) during a chemical flash-fire incident. Frontline 300 features an ensemble of hood, jacket and bib pants, which has proven to be the most versatile garment during line break and similar applications.
www.kappler.com

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind has launched the Industrial Eye Safety Program in Alberta in conjunction with the observance of the North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week being held across the continent from May 3 to 8.

Alberta is the second province to launch the CNIB Industrial Eye Safety Program. The program was first launched in British Columbia. The CNIB says the program is expected to become available nationwide within the next year.

Young workers going into a new job will be asking questions about their safety and it won’t hurt for their would-be supervisors to be prepared with helpful answers. Work Safe Alberta’s BloodyLucky.ca, a website dedicated to raise safety awareness among young workers, lists five questions that new and young workers should ask their employer when starting a new job.

Are your supervisors and managers confident they can adequately answer these five life-saving questions?

Four years ago on Christmas day, an employee working for a company that recycles lead from used batteries paid dearly for failing to wear personal protective equipment.
 

He had just finished moving a container pot filled with molten metal from a furnace to a cooling area when the pot suddenly exploded just as he was reversing his forklift truck. The molten metal, also known as slag, splashed the worker. When the worker jumped out of the forklift truck to go to an emergency shower wash station, more misfortune struck. He slipped on the slag, and ended up receiving third degree burns to both legs, second degree burns to the back of his neck, and third degree burns on his left palm.

Safety distributors have told us that their customers don't necessarily complain when they dislike a hard hat, earplug or respirator. Instead, they tend to simply stop buying that product and switch to another, without ever giving the manufacturer feedback on how to make personal protective equipment (PPE) safer, more comfortable, more durable, and generally more appealing to workers.

"The horn on our lift truck doesn't work." "I can't work in these gloves, they're too bulky." "Our plant workers aren't wearing their new earmuffs because they fit too tightly!"