The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), under authorization of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, provides a testing, approval and certification program to assure that respirators used in the workplace meet the standards of 42 CFR Part 84. Since 1994, NIOSH has maintained a searchable, on line version of the Certified Equipment List.
Based on previous comments and suggestions from our stakeholders, NIOSH has updated the Certified Equipment List format in 2016. 2016 Updated Certified Equipment List. The certified equipment list is a tool to help respirator users, safety managers, industrial hygienists, and others to:
The Certified Equipment List is regularly updated as respirators are approved, made obsolete or when the status changes in any way. Enhancements to the 2016 edition include the expansion of Quick Searches to include searching by the TC (approval) number, schedule, filtering facepiece respirators only, manufacturer or brand, manufacturer of respirators with CBRN protection, facepiece type and protection. Some of the features available on the original version, such as the Prior Respirator Manufacturers Names and the definitions and terms, are still being updated by NIOSH. NIOSH welcomes your feedback on the updated version. Any comments can be directed to [email protected]
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The OHD Quantafit Fit Tester eliminates the guesswork associated with qualitative fit testing. If a mask requires fit testing, count on the OHD Quantafit Fit Tester to provide the reliable OSHA-accepted fit test method in less than 10 minutes. Quantitative fit testing protects workers from elements that are not supposed to enter the lungs. And, let's face it. Qualitative fit tests can be arbitrary. "You smell that?" "Nope!" "Okay—you pass!" Quantitative fit testing with the OHD Quantafit is more accurate and objective. It features a patented Controlled Negative Pressure (CNP) technology that provides a quick, accurate and direct reading of respirator leakage that is more reliable than aerosol particle-counting methods. The Controlled Negative Pressure technology of the OHD Quantifit allows the mask to be challenged in ways that are impossible, or at least impractical, for other systems. Because negative pressure is used to replicate the negative force of inhalation, the OHD Quantifit can be set to increase the negative force in the mask to replicate breathing rates of over 100 liters of air exchanged per minute and measure the leak effect in only eight seconds. For more information, call (800) 332-0435. Get more information about the OHD Quantafit Fit Tester now with a simple click! The term "confined space" is used quite often when discussing safety issues at industrial plants, municipalities and large complexes, even when discussing road and utility work. The term is not always applied correctly, however. The reason why it's important to know what constitutes a confined space is because OSHA has recently instituted some specific confined-space regulations that require employers to provide employees with selected personal-protection equipment. So it's important to know the basics on the topic: A confined space must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Limited means for worker entry and exit. 2. Large enough for a worker to completely enter. 3. Not designed for continuous worker occupancy. Typical confined space applications include:
It's quite a list that begs the question: Are your people protected? OSHA wants them to be, as do you. Here is an excerpt from the 8,770-word section of the subpart AA of 29 CFR 1926: “Before an employee enters the space, the internal atmosphere must be tested, with a calibrated direct-reading instrument, for oxygen content, for flammable gases and vapors, and for potential toxic air contaminants, in that order.” The regulation also mandates that employers may provide, “at no cost to each employee,” the following equipment: testing, monitoring, ventilation, communications, respiratory, personal protection, lighting, barriers, shields, rescue and emergency. What about you? Do you have what is required by OSHA to keep your people safe? If not, we can help. Calibration Gas: Argus-Hazco provides the answers to commonly asked questions.
A purchase of calibration gas usually triggers a series of common customer questions. Now you can be the expert in your workplace if you ever get these questions asked by your colleagues! Q: What is the shelf life of a given calibration gas? A: For most reactive gases, which are contained in aluminum cylinders, the shelf life is typically 12-18 months. For most non-reactive gases, (usually contained in steel cylinders) the shelf life is normally 36-48 months. The gas with the shortest shelf life is Nitrogen Dioxide (six months). Argus-Hazco labels the expiration dates of our cylinders. Keep in mind that with multiple blends, (like quad blends) we use the gas with the briefest shelf life as the expiration date for the entire cylinder. Something to keep in mind when purchasing calibration gas in quantity. Q: Can standard cylinders be refilled? A: No, standard disposable cylinders cannot be refilled. And that’s not a matter of opinion: it’s the law. According to DOT regulations, a standard calibration-gas cylinder should never be refilled. It must be disposed of or recycled. Q: How do I dispose of a cylinder? A: Before disposal or recycling, each cylinder must be completely emptied of its contents, and then rendered incapable of refilling. Argus-Hazco offers a cylinder valve disabling tool that removes the valve stem—but only apply this tool if you are knowledgeable. Please call Argus-Hazco to both empty the cylinder and remove the valve stem. Keep in mind that you can send empty cylinders back to Argus-Hazco as non-hazardous freight and we will recycle them for you. Argus-Hazco offers refillable cylinders for all gas blends, which can be the right choice for customers who require larger volumes or unique blends of gas. Keep in mind that special handling is required due to higher pressures. Q: How can I get an MSDS? A: Argus-Hazco has Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for every blend we sell. We use the MSDS library of Gas Dynamics, the supplier of our primary 1% NIST traceable gas standards. We also generate a Certificate of Analysis (C of A) for each cylinder. The C of A can also cover a group of cylinders. We can provide both a C of A and an MSDS upon request. Maybe you have heard that ANSI (American National Standards Institute) recently approved the ISEA (International Safety Equipment Association) revision of the 107 Standard for High-Visibility Apparel (HSVA) and all accessories.
Still, not enough people know about this, and that’s why we are reminding you. Here’s the essence of the regulation, which is now officially the law of the land: Employees exposed to public vehicular traffic must be provided with, and must wear, warning vests or other suitable garments marked with or made of reflectorized or high-visibility material. Recently, the Federal Highway Administration, (FHWA) notified ISEA and further clarified what it requires for compliance. It all boils down to that workers in traffic need to have 360-degree visibility. If you are interested in more information, here’s the letter from the FWHA to ISEA. Why is this important? Bluntly stated, many drivers are not careful, considerate or even often cognizant of their surroundings when operating their vehicles, and the workers who help preserve their safety, ironically, are at incredible risk on job site. So this upgraded standard does all it can to minimize risk and danger for workers who fix our roads or see people safety across them. We are doing our part by offering our customers the necessary garments to help keep them visible and safe and that comply with 107 Standard for High-Visibility Apparel (HSVA). Look for more information on this topic, because public traffic isn’t going anywhere. In a manner of speaking, that is. By Dimitri Pervolarakis Senior Account Executive, Argus-Hazco In the world of gas detection, there are many options to consider when choosing a monitor; it can be overwhelming to determine which features are the best for your organization. Training workers on how to operate a monitor effectively, and understanding the meaning behind the readings, is another challenge health and safety professionals face. Talk to me, and we can explore the latest advances in technology that can help take the guesswork out of choosing and using gas detection, making it simpler for safety managers and end users to make informed decisions based on gas detection readings. Here's some examples on some of the topics I can address:
Give me a call, or send me an email so we can set up a time for me to come in and talk to you about this. Don’t forget we also rent gas monitors and service all portables and can come out to you facility to calibrate your fixed systems. We have a lot to offer. Argus-Hazco is all about helping customers solve specific safety, environmental, industrial-hygiene and first-responder applications. We'd like you to discover more about who we are and what we do in a video that tells our story in less than 90 seconds. Would you like a Customer Service Representative to contact you? Let us know. CLICK HERE
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