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Spring is around the corner, and agricultural workers are getting ready for a new season of working long days in the field. Agricultural workers maintain crops and take care of livestock and usually perform their duties outdoors in various weather conditions. There are numerous health hazards that should be considered before starting work. Workers’ safety protection begins with engineering controls, which include measures that prevent employees’ exposure to work-related hazards. In addition, …

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 …

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 …

Continuous product innovation and increased functionality of the products we offer creates a need to continue to learn new information about the various top brand products we carry, and new products that hit the market. This helps our team remain experts in the industries we serve and allows our sales team to assist customers in determining what products they need for their specific application. Product knowledge is fundamental for our team’s success. We work with manufacturers to deliver hig …

The U.S. Department of Labor first emphasized the life-threatening hazards of respirable crystalline silica in the 1930s. Today, according to OSHA, approximately 2.3 million Americans are exposed to silica on a regular basis in the workplace. Heavy equipment operators, construction, and plaster/drywall workers are the most at risk to being exposed to silica. The most severe exposures to crystalline silica result from abrasive blasting. Additionally, exposures may occur in cement, brick, …

Choosing the right respirator and protective clothing for your painting project depends on numerous factors. The most important being the type of paint that will be used (solvent-based, water-based or powder paint), and the kind of paint application you are going to use (spraying, airless spraying, roller painting, dip coating, brush painting). In addition to the painting process, personal protection is also helpful for the prepping stage of the project. When preparing surfaces for painting, …

By Jim Moryan, Marketing Communications, Allegro Industries Introducing EZ AIR Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) as a Complete System for Ultimate Worker Protection by Allegro Industries Workers will experience more comfort, less fatigue and improved productivity with the Allegro EZ AIR PAPR complete particulate system intended for industrial applications where respiratory, eye and face protection is required. The System features a motorized, Lithium-ion battery operati …

Providing workers with clean breathable fresh air while working in dangerous environments is essential. According to OSHA, “Employees need to wear respirators whenever engineering and work practice control measures are not adequate to prevent atmospheric contamination at the worksite.” Respiratory protective devices must be approved by NIOSH for the contaminant to which the employee is exposed. Advantages of Constant Flow Respirators: Low cost Reusable Constant supply of fr …