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Tips for Protecting Against Work-Related Eye Injury

May 31, 2023 by Travis Zdrazil

Your eyes are not just the windows to your soul, they are also an essential tool for everyday life—including at work. Whether that’s time spent in a warehouse office or on a construction site, your eyes are constantly exposed to various hazards that could cause injury.

Eye wash fountain notice

Work-related eye injuries are not only painful and inconvenient but can also result in long-term vision problems or even blindness. That’s why it’s crucial to protect your eyes while working, no matter what industry you are in.

So, let’s explore the common causes of work-related eye injuries and how to prevent them. From wearing the right protective equipment to having a safety eyewash station onsite, these tips will help you keep your eyes healthy and safe on the job.

Common Causes of Workplace Eye Injuries (and How to Avoid Them)

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 2,000 employees receive medical treatment every day for a work-related eye injury. Roughly one-third of those injuries are serious enough to require emergency medical treatment. And approximately 100 cases result in at least one day of lost work.

Eye injuries can occur in practically any industry or workplace—from industrial factories and construction sites to offices and labs. Failing to provide workers with the appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) could place them at a higher risk for eye injuries. Not to mention the fact that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates the use of PPE:

Eye and face protection must be provided whenever necessary to protect against chemical, environmental, and radiological hazards or mechanical irritants” — OSHA.

Eye injuries can occur due to various hazards in the workplace, with some of the most common causes being:

Flying Debris

eye safety goggles PPE to prevent eye injury

Safety goggles help protect workers’ eyes from dangerous flying debris and chemical splashes

A primary cause of work-related eye injuries is flying debris. Small pieces of metal, wood, glass, or plastic can shoot out from tools or machinery with enough force to become embedded in a worker’s eye.

To mitigate this risk, it’s crucial for workers to wear appropriate safety glasses or goggles when operating power tools and heavy machinery. Neglecting to wear durable safety eyewear in these situations exposes operators to potential eye injuries such as corneal abrasions, lacerations, or even blindness.

Example workplace use: Construction workers should wear protective eyewear when using power tools such as drills, saws, or nail guns. These tools often generate flying debris that can cause serious eye injuries if proper eye protection is not worn.

Chemical Splashes

workplace eyewash-station for treating eye injury

Eyewash stations flush hazardous substances or irritants from the eyes and face

Workers may also sustain eye injuries from chemicals, cleaning agents, or solvents splashing into their faces. Workplaces that deal with such chemicals should have emergency eyewash stations strategically placed in all hazardous areas. However, it is not enough to merely install these stations; employees must also receive proper training on safety shower locations and operation to meet OSHA requirements.

Example workplace use: Laboratories or other sites where chemicals are handled, should have easily accessible and well-marked eyewash stations. Lab personnel should receive training on the location of these stations and the correct procedure to follow in case of a chemical splash.

Another potential workplace risk for the eyes is radiation, such as from ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) rays. Exposure to these situations can cause eye damage like cataracts, retinal burns, or even blindness. This type of injury is common in welding, laser work, and medical imaging where full face shields and/or appropriate protective lenses are necessary to minimize eye damage.

Finally, infectious diseases can cause eye infections like conjunctivitis or uveitis, which can spread to other parts of the body. These hazards are common in healthcare settings or sites where workers share PPE, so appropriate care and sterilization processes should always be followed in these workplaces.

Tips To Prevent a Work-Related Eye Injury

Provide workers with protective eyewear. Employers must ensure that workers have access to suitable protective eyewear for their specific tasks and work environment. This can include safety glasses, goggles, or face shields, depending on the level of protection required.
Maintain power tools and heavy machinery. Regular maintenance of power tools and machinery is essential to reduce the risk of mechanical failures that could result in eye injuries. Proper maintenance helps ensure the tools are in good working condition and reduces the likelihood of flying debris or other hazards.
Train on Emergency Shower Stations. Educate employees about the location and usage of safety showers and eyewash stations. Workers should know how to quickly and correctly operate these stations to flush out hazardous substances from their eyes in case of an emergency.
Proper Fit of Protective Eyewear. When using face PPE against dust or chemicals, ensure a secure and airtight fit around the wearer’s eyes. This prevents particles or chemicals from entering the eye area and causing irritation or injury.
Inspect and Disinfect Protective Eyewear. Check your protective eyewear before each use to ensure it is in good condition and free from cracks, scratches, or other damage. If protective eyewear is shared among employees, it is important to thoroughly clean it before being worn by another person. This helps prevent the spread of contaminants or infections.
Corrective Lens Wearers. Employees who wear prescription glasses, contacts, or any other corrective lenses should also wear appropriate protective eyewear over them. Protective eyewear should be compatible with corrective lenses to provide adequate protection.

Conclusion: Your Eyes Matter – Take Care of Them!

Your eyes are an essential tool so protecting them is crucial. Work-related eye injuries can cause temporary or permanent vision loss, which can be life-changing. By following these guidelines and taking proactive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of work-related eye injuries. Promoting a culture of safety and providing proper training and protective equipment can safeguard employees’ vision and well-being in various workplace settings.

If you’d like more information about emergency showers or eyewash stations to improve safety in your facility, reach out today: call AbsorbentsOnline toll-free at (800) 869-9633 or email us.

This is a revision to a blog post with an original publication date of June 5, 2014

What Is A Spill Kit?

April 8, 2022 by Travis Zdrazil

Spills happen. They happen at home, they happen at work, and they even happen at restaurants. No matter where or when spills happen.

When they do, you want to know how to clean up spills properly. And quickly, without having to spend too much time or effort. Which is what makes spill kits such a great solution!

Red duffle bag universal spill kit — Duffle bag spill kit with granular absorbent.

Basically, like the name suggests, a spill kit is a collection of items that you can use for spill clean up. Though they are mainly used in industrial workplaces, you can fashion your own spill kit designed for home use.

If you’ve ever wondered, “What is a spill kit?”, find out everything that you need to know below!

How Do I Choose a Spill Kit?

There are several types of spill kits out there, from basic ones to those that include specialty equipment.

If you don’t already have a spill kit, here are some things you should consider when selecting one:

Cleaning supplies: You will need cleaning supplies such as sponges, rags, and other materials like disposal bags. These are the basics that you need in order to clean up any type of spill.
Specialty tools: Some spill kits come with specialty tools that allow you to clean up more difficult spills. For example, if you have spilled something on your carpet, you may not be able to get it all off using just a regular sponge. A specialized tool or solvent, like carpet cleaner, might help you remove a stain.
Size: The size of your spill kit depends on what kind of spill you are dealing with. If you have a small spill, then you probably won’t need a large kit. However, for spills involving a multi-gallon container or drum, you will want to buy a larger kit. Kit size will also depend on the setting. If you are keeping a kit for home use, you will likely only require a basic one.

After all, you may not be dealing with the dangerous spills that are often found in industrial environments.

However, if you plan on using it in a workplace setting, a more substantial kit will be required. Especially if the spill involves corrosive or hazardous materials, including acid spills. In which case, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations may apply.

What Do Spill Kits Contain?

The contents of a spill kit vary depending on the brand, model, and intended use. But most kits contain the following items for fast, safe, and efficient spill response:

PPE stands for personal protective equipment. This includes gloves, safety goggles, aprons, shoe covers, and more.

All of these items are used to protect yourself from harmful chemicals and substances.

You should cover your skin and clothes as much as possible to prevent them from being covered in hazardous chemicals or whatever spills you are cleaning.

Cleaning Supplies

These are the basic supplies that you need to clean up any type or size of spillage.

You will find a variety of different kinds of cleaning supplies. Including rags made from absorbent materials that can be used to remove liquids. As well as things like a dustpan and brush for granular spills, or disposal bags to safely contain soiled materials.

Signs

These are to warn people of the spillage, signs should be utilized.

Signs can be placed near the area where the spill occurred so that anyone who comes into contact with the spill can see it. This can be important to help prevent slip and falls in the workplace.

A Bin

As you likely already know, a bin is a container that holds objects for waste disposal. In many cases, a wheelie bin is often utilized which can also double as storage of your spill kit contents.

These bins are usually made of plastic or metal and can hold anything from garbage to liquids.

Most bins are designed to be portable so that you can take them wherever you go.

This means that you can easily transport the spill kit and all of its contents to the clean up site.

Absorbent Socks

Though they are called socks, these are not items that you wear. Instead, absorbent socks are used for spill control.

They are similar to bandages but are filled with absorbent material. These sorbents are typically used to wrap around and contain fluids spills or leaks.

Absorbent Pads

Absorbent pads are another item included in many spill kits. Use them to to soak up liquid spills and prevent them from spreading further.

The pads are generally made of strong, tear-proof materials that are capable of quickly absorbing fluids.

When Are Spill Kits Used?

Spill kits are commonly used when there is a spill that needs to be cleaned up quickly. When this happens, you must act fast.

Otherwise, you could end up causing even more damage than you originally intended.

They are mostly used in settings where potentially dangerous spills can occur. For example, they may be used in a lab or factory.

What Types Of Spill Kits Are There?

There are lots of different types of spill kits. They are used in different situations depending on what substance has been spilled. It is important to be aware of the type of liquid spill you are dealing with. Sometimes it is even necessary to color-code your spill clean-up

Here are some of the main varieties:

Universal Spill Kits

These general purpose spill kits are ideal for cleaning up most types of liquids. Including water-base fluids as well as spill containment of hydrocarbons like gasoline.

Contents of these emergency spill kits are typically grey in color. Because they are general-purpose, they can be utilized for a wide array of stains.

Chemical Spill Kits

As you may have guessed, chemical spill kits are used for cleaning up more hazardous chemicals. Which can include acids, solvents, coolants, and more. There are even specialty kits just for cleaning up mercury spills.

Sorbents in chemical spill kits are typically yellow. Or, purple the case of acid spills. Kits for acid spills usually contain neutralizing granular substances, such as sodium bicarbonate, that can counteract chemicals. And are designed to contain and neutralize the substances that were spilled, like battery acid.

Oil Spill Kits

This variety of spill kit contains items designed to clean up oil, fuel, and other hydrocarbons. It contains special tools and other items that help to ensure that the spill does not spread.

Contents of oil spill kits are normally white. Because many of the items float on water, they are ideal for use in and around marinas and boats. The PPE in these kits will need to be oil-resistant.

Blood Spill Kits/ Body Fluid Spill Kits

Lastly, biohazard spill kits are for cleaning up various body fluid contaminates. They will contain items to remove any traces of hazardous waste, like blood and urine.

These spill response kits are most commonly used in medical facilities.

Body fluid spill kits do require a certain level of training before being used. You must be careful when handling these types of biohazard fluids. One way to protect yourself is through PPE like nitrile gloves, lab coat, face mask or respirator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Difference Between A Spill Kit And A First Aid Kit?

A spill kit is designed to handle spills, from small to large in size. Which may include emergency response situations to hazmat chemical spills in the workplace.

First aid kits are designed to treat injuries and illnesses. For example, if you have cut yourself, a first aid kit can be used to cover the wound.

Though they are both important workplace kits, they perform completely different functions.

Where Are Spill Kits Found?

This will depend on the environment. But, if it is your job to clean spills, you should be informed where the kit is kept. If there is a cleaning supply room, or materials storage area, it could be found there.

Alternatively, these kits are sometimes placed near where spills are most likely to occur. For example, along a route that is commonly used to transport chemicals. Or, a compact fleet spill kit may be stored inside the vehicle or truck cab itself.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, spill kits are very useful. They are great at containing spills and keeping them under control.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to deal with a spill, then you should definitely consider getting one.

You never know when it might come in handy!

If you work in a factory or another industrial building, it is important to know where the spill clean up kit is kept so that you can stop spills before they can worsen.

Comparing Levels of Protection For Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

May 7, 2021 by Travis Zdrazil

What You Need to Know About Chemical-Resistant PPE When Dealing With Workplace Spills

Donning Level A full body protection is necessary for severe hazmat chemical spills

Basically, the name says it all. The purpose of personal protective equipment (PPE) is to protect the wearer from any number of potential dangers. Be it exposure to a physical, chemical, ergonomic, or biological risk. Including things like encountering infectious diseases and body fluid, or a chemical spill.

For instance, when a spill occurs responders need to gear up in the appropriate PPE before entering the contaminated area. Similarly, donning PPE in healthcare settings is essential for infection control and disease prevention. Especially during eras of Ebola and the Covid-19 pandemic.

In this post, we’re going to reveal the different levels and use of PPE for workplace chemical spills.

Why You Need PPE in the Workplace

Use of personal protective equipment is more than just a recommendation. It’s a requirement by law. For instance, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for worker exposure to hazardous materials.

PPE helps protect your workers from exposure to hazards and injury

If workers cannot control a spill by normal means, OSHA states they must gear up in PPE. However, because all spills are different it’s important to choose the right PPE. Of course, the type that is necessary will depend on the situation.

Several other government bodies also offer PPE guidelines. Including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). And the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Some of which help protect public health interests during pandemics like the Coronavirus. For instance, healthcare workers using NIOSH-approved n95 respirators when caring for Covid-19 patients. And patients themselves with Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection wearing a surgical mask.

Fortunately, there’s a wealth of information about PPE available online. Including fact sheets and FAQs, some of which we link to above. Tip: official government website URLs end in “.gov”.

Types of Personal Protective Equipment

There’s a wide variety of personal protective equipment available for workplace use. In short, each type of equipment helps to minimize different health and safety risks for workers.

Basic workplace PPE might require a hard hat, steel-cap boots, and hi-vis vest for safety

Some common PPE supplies include facepieces, like face masks, and eye protection safety glasses. Which help prevent eye and nose areas from sprays, dust, and other irritants.

In addition to face shield protection, earplugs and hard hats reduce hearing and head injuries. Meanwhile, gloves and steel-toe boots offer extra barriers for hand and feet safety.

Likewise, coveralls, aprons, and safety vests help with full body protection. Including harsh weather conditions when working outdoors, chemical splashes, or by increasing visibility.

Many kinds of PPE are not suitable for reuse due to hygiene reasons. Think disposable surgical masks or earplugs. Meanwhile, it is possible re-use some equipment like hard hats, eye protection, and face shields. But only after you employ cleaning agents such as hand sanitizer or disinfectant.

What are the Different PPE Protection Levels?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines four levels of risk associated with chemical spills. You’ll find PPE supplies are readily available based on these varying risk levels. Ranging from “Level A” being the most secure to “Level D” being the least protective.

Levels A-D personal protective equipment

PPE comes in different levels corresponding to its chemical hazard protection abilities

Level A

Offers the highest level of both skin and respiratory protection available. Level A PPE includes a whole body coverall with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The encapsulating suit construction has reinforced, sealed seams to prevent air from entering. When worn correctly, Level A offers a superior level of protection against chemicals and contamination.

This gear is appropriate for emergency responders to severe hazmat chemical spills and in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

Level B

Like Level A, this PPE also has a SCBA respirator and industrial-grade garment materials for chemical splash protection. However, Level B PPE does not protect against airborne gas exposure. That’s because the unsealed garment seams leave the wearer vulnerable to chemical gasses.

Firefighters and other first responders might wear Level B PPE in environments where no harmful gasses are present.

Level C

Has similar garment chemical resistance to Level B, but with less respiratory protection. Most Level C PPEs contain a basic air respirator rather than a SCBA. These suits are only suitable when the contaminated area is deemed safe for air purifying respirators. That is, in areas with adequate oxygen levels.

Some examples where level C is worn may include laboratory, medical and healthcare settings. As well, at work sites where workers handle pesticides.

Level D

The lowest level of workplace protection is Level D PPE. There’s no respirator mask used in conjunction with these suits. In fact, most Level D PPE is a basic coverall or standard work clothes that offer minimal skin protection.

This level of PPE is commonly worn by factory, construction site, and general public health workers.

Chemical Resistance

There are three factors that affect the chemical resistance of PPE:

Know the chemicals you’re working with to select the appropriate level of protective gear

Exposure time to the chemical
The exposure situation
The properties of the chemical itself

Certain types of personal protective equipment tailor to specific chemicals and toxins. This is why it’s critical to identify the spilled materials before responders enter the contaminated area.

For example, disposable gloves may only offer chemical protection for a few minutes. And obviously, some chemicals are more dangerous than others.

Therefore, you must know which chemical you are dealing with before attempting to cleanup a spill.

Your Spill Cleanup and Prevention Experts

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the different levels and use of personal protective equipment. Essentially, it’s a simple system put in place to help companies and responders select their protective suit and gear.

Many of our spill kits for sale include basic protection you’ll need for workplace cleanup situations. For example, gloves and protective eyewear. To complement wearable gear, consider equipping your workplace with other chemical safety items. Such as an emergency shower, portable decontamination unit, or eyewash station.

Need help with spill kits and the correct use of PPE when handling chemicals in your facility? Contact Travis Zdrazil through email or (800) 869-9633.

This is a revision to a blog post with an original publication date of August 27, 2013

Get the Essential Absorbents for Your Machine Shop

December 16, 2020 by Travis Zdrazil

Sorbents and blue shop towel grime-fighters help keep your workplace clean and dry

Blue shop towels are great for greasy machinery and automotive parts

Day-to-day work in machine shops can include contact with any number of hazardous materials. When it comes to liquids that often means solvents, coolants, and lubricants. Spilling any of these fluids can present dangers to employees and equipment. Just as bad, you may run the risk of contaminating local water supplies if any wash down the drain.

That’s why quick and efficient spill clean up is a necessity when it comes to running a safe, clean machine shop. Of course, that’s only possible if you have the right absorbent materials on hand. Which demands a heavier duty product than your standard roll of Scott or Kimberly-Clark kitchen paper towels.

Here, we’ll help you discover various multi-purpose sorbents for your workplace. From the ubiquitous blue shop towel and beyond.

Absorbents 101

AbsorbentsOnline can help you learn the basics about sorbents for your shop

Determining which materials to use for which spills can be confusing for a first timer. For example, choosing among pads and rolls, mats, socks, pillows, and granular sorbents.

If that isn’t confounding enough, products vary depending on the types of liquids you may be dealing with. For instance, you’ll need a different absorbent for coolant than you will for oil.

Besides big spills, you’ll likely have to deal with plenty of smaller everyday grease or drips. That’s when quick cleanup materials like shop wipes, rags, and towels come in handy.

Or, why not make it easy on yourself with spill kits. A kit solution combines different types of sorbents together into one convenient package.

Read up about each type of absorbing product below to figure out which ones best suit your needs. Soon, choosing will be as simple as picking out grocery store paper towels or toilet paper!

Pad and roll sorbents

Color code your sorbents: white is for oil-base liquids

Roll and pad sorbents typically feature strong polypropylene construction materials. Unlike regular paper towel products, this means they won’t fall apart when wet.

Normally you’ll use pads to deal with smaller spills, and rolls to tackle larger surface area jobs. For instance, rolls are great for lining your workbench to soak up overspray and drips.

Rolls and pads come in several different colors, sizes, shapes, and absorbencies. White designates use for oils like hydraulic fluids, hydrocarbons and diesel fuels. Yellow pads and rolls are purpose made for soaking up hazardous chemical spills, including acids and solvents. Grey is for general purpose use, such as absorbing water and hydrocarbon fluids.

Absorbent matting

Heavy-duty industrial mats help keep floor areas clean and dry. They can be cut to length and have a non-skid, non-penetrable backing. To help extend service life, the dark gray color is excellent for disguising grime – a bonus for most machine and automotive shops!

Matting can be helpful soaking up motor oil drips under motorized machinery and other large equipment. As well as preventing slips in busy foot traffic areas like factory floors, entry ways and corridors.

Socks and pillows

Use socks or pillows to soak up leaks under and around shop machinery

Polypropylene pillows and socks are soft yet bulky sorbents that quickly soak up larger spills. Both products contain multiple units per pack, with competitive pricing available when you purchase in bulk. A sorbent hand wringer potentially makes your socks and pillows reusable, to help save you money.

Pillows are ideal for squashing into tight corners and spaces beneath machinery or industrial stoves. Likewise, socks come in different lengths so are easy to wrap around shop equipment, or, to create a dike. They come in yellow, white, and grey for chemical, oil, and universal applications.

Granular sorbents

Looking for a more environmentally friendly line for absorbing spills? Then granular sorbents may be the product for you. Biodegradable materials include peat moss, corn cob, and papermill waste by-product. You can shop granular sorbents in bags, sold by the pallet, or smaller shaker cartons.

Granular sorbents are ideal for routine cleaning maintenance. They even increase floor traction, and help prevent slips, in the process. Simply pour these products over any wet area then sweep up and dispose. This ease of application makes it a popular choice for machine shops as well as general automotive maintenance uses.

Spill kits

Spill kits combine a variety of sorbents into a convenient package

These kits include all the basics for spill cleanup in one convenient container. Choose whatever size kit and contents that best fits your shop’s needs. For instance, a small portable bucket, up to large cart kits on wheels. Each kit will contain a selection of different sorbents we outline above.

You can pick up a general, multi-purpose kit for water-based fluid and hydrocarbon spills. In addition, oil-only or hazmat kits are also available. If you need something specific in your spill kit, you can even create custom DIY kits.

Shop towels and wipers

Heavy duty, lint-free shop towel rolls are available in either white or blue paper wipers. These strong paper towel style products contain up to 40% recycled materials. They’re made in the United States using a latex binder and double re-crepe (DRC) construction. This ensures superior absorbency to regular paper towels found in home kitchens. And means you can use a white or blue shop towel wet because it won’t dissolve or fall apart.

Besides standard rolls, disposable towels also come in pad, pop-up, and bucket dispensers. A wall or benchtop mount towel holder is a handy way to keep towels within easy reach. They make a great towel to wipe down cutting tool equipment and parts. In addition, they’re soft yet strong enough for cleaning your dirty hands or face.

Shop rags

Reusable shop rags come in several microfiber, fleece, and cotton knit fabric options. The soft material is ideal for polishing and wiping down machinery and parts. Rags come in large 25 or 50 pound dispenser boxes, offering great value for money. Choose from standard white, or, assorted color rags for dirty cleaning jobs.

Beyond absorbents

Of course, you don’t always need to absorb a spill — sometimes you just need to contain it. That’s where containment berms come in. These lightweight, easy-to-use barriers allow quick and easy leak containment or redirection.

Likewise, drain covers are another useful containment product. They help prevent contaminants from washing into the stormwater system.

PPE safety gear is the perfect partner to shop absorbents

It’s also important to stay safe while handling spills, which is why you’ll need personal protective equipment, or PPE. Some of the liquids you work with may be most safely handled when wearing clothes, goggles or face masks. Conveniently, many spill kits also include basic PPE in their contents.

Finally, once you clean spills up, you need to put those used products somewhere safe where they won’t cause further contamination. Oily waste cans and biohazard waste containers provide safe, convenient ways to dispose of sensitive waste.

You should be able to focus on machining in your machine shop. With the right absorbents on hand, you don’t have to worry about spill threats.

When you’re ready to equip your machine shop with the absorbents you need, the professionals at AbsorbentsOnline can help. Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

This is a revision to a blog post with an original publish date of May 24, 2017

Are Your Workers Protected from Hazardous Chemical Risks?

January 19, 2015 by Travis Zdrazil

Handling chemicals in a laboratory Despite scores of regulations from OSHA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and various other governmental entities, hazardous chemical exposure is still a pervasive problem in many workplaces. In fact, OSHA publicly acknowledged the problem last fall, bringing it into the spotlight and inviting industry representatives into a “national dialogue” to discuss solutions and tackle the monumental task of updating permissible exposure limits (PELs).

Even the most safety-conscious employers cannot take hazardous chemical safety for granted. Accidents can happen all too easily — it only takes one careless mistake to result in devastating consequences that can harm employees’ health, the environment, the vitality of the business, and more.

In light of the renewed attention to hazardous workplace chemical dangers, it’s a good time to review your own facility’s chemical safety plan and ensure you’re doing enough to mitigate the risks of hazardous chemical exposure.

The first step
The first step toward better hazardous chemical safety is to confirm that all employees understand precisely what a hazard is. According to OSHA, hazardous chemicals (and common materials that contain hazardous chemicals, such as paint and cleaning compounds) can be categorized as a health hazard, a physical hazard, or another hazard type (such as combustible dust). A health hazard is a chemical that can cause acute or chronic health effects in exposed employees. A physical hazard is a chemical that could cause non-health related physical damage.

The OSHA Hazard Awareness Advisor is a great resource for educating your business. The advisor helps general industry employers and workers identify possible safety and health hazards in their workplace, then directs them to OSHA standards that address those hazards. This tool can be particularly helpful to small employers who don’t have the means to hire safety and health professionals to evaluate their workplace.

The next steps
Once you understand what constitutes a chemical hazard, take these further steps to keep your employees safe:

Get employee buy-in. It’s vital that your employees understand the correct procedures for using and disposing of chemicals, and why safety is crucial.

Identify all hazardous chemicals in your workplace. Check the information available in the chemical manufacturer’s MSDS or product labeling to determine which chemicals are hazardous. You should also be familiar with PELs for every chemical used in your workplace, and establish practices to reduce workers’ exposure to these harmful substances. And remember: When classifying hazardous materials, it’s always best to err on the side of caution.

Do a personal protective equipment (PPE) inventory. Make sure you have the necessary respirators, ear protection, eye and face protection, head protection, safety gloves, and other PPE for working with the chemicals used in your workplace. Make sure workers can easily access this equipment, and understand when and how to use it.

Review your chemical spill response supplies. Ensure you have the correct materials on hand to quickly respond to a chemical spill.

Whether you’re a company leader, manager, or team manager, you can’t afford to take hazardous chemical safety for granted in your workplace. Keep your hazardous chemical safety procedures up to date, and make sure that employees at all levels fully understand and employ those procedures when working with chemicals.

Do you have the right safety products on hand for your workplace? To find out, contact Angie Meza at angie@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

Find these hazardous chemical safety and spill response supplies at AbsorbentsOnline.com.

What’s in Your Acid Spill Kit?

September 10, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Contents of spill kit for battery acid cleanup.

Acids and corrosive substances are on hand at many worksites — automobile repair shops, heavy equipment storage yards, and manufacturing facilities, to name just a few. However, the corrosive materials these and other businesses depend on can be dangerous — and even deadly — if a spill occurs and they’re caught unprepared. Having the proper spill kit materials on hand to respond to an acid spill is imperative.

What you need
Your worksite should have spill kits placed in all areas where acids are used. These kits should include acid neutralizers and absorbents that are specifically made for acids and corrosives, as well as other basic items for spill cleanup.

Make sure your acid spill kit includes the following items:

An appropriate container: You need a container that can hold acids or other aggressive fluids, like the bucket in the Battery Acid Spill Kit. This container is labeled and highly visible, waterproof, and can be used to store contaminated sorbents until they can be disposed of properly.

Personal protective equipment (PPE): Depending on the materials handled at your site, your acid spill kit may need a variety of PPE to protect users from aggressive liquids. Basic PPE may include safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, aprons, boot covers, and a respirator.

Absorbent materials: Hazmat spill kits should include absorbent pads and rolls, and hazmat absorbent. Your kit may also need an acid neutralizer, which absorbs and solidifies acids and then changes colors to signify complete neutralization. (Note that acid neutralizers may not be safe for all acids. Contact AbsorbentsOnline’s knowledgeable staff for answers to any questions you have about which absorbents are suitable for your environment.)

Cleaning supplies: Hand brooms or scoops can help spread and clean up absorbent neutralizers. You’ll also need disposal bags to hold used absorbents and contaminated materials.

Your source for spill solutions
AbsorbentsOnline sells many of these items individually, or you can take advantage of our Battery Acid Spill Kits that include PPE and cleanup tools as well as acid-specific absorbents.

You can also contact us about making custom spill kits to meet your needs. Get in touch by email or call toll free at (800) 869-9633. We have hundreds of customers that order special spill kits, and we’re always available to develop the perfect spill solution for your unique business.

Make Safety a Way of Life in Your Workplace

September 5, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Is safety a key value and essential part of day-to-day life in your workplace — part of your company’s culture? It should be.

Why build a culture of safety? For two reasons: productivity and profitability. A safe organization will run more productively, with fewer employee injuries (and associated absences) and fewer safety infractions that interrupt work. A safety culture can make your organization more profitable for the same reasons; a fully staffed, healthy workforce means the work gets done without costly injuries that impact your bottom line.

Building a strong safety culture starts with these three best practices:

1. Secure a strong buy-in from key influencers.

The 80/20 rule applies to an organization’s culture: 20% of staff set the culture, and the other 80% follow it. The 20% who really influence your company’s culture — typically, highly respected mid-level managers and senior employees at all levels — must be on board with the safety standards and policies. This means involving those staff members early on in the process of planning and forming safety policies.

The other benefit of involving these influencers is they have intimate knowledge of the day-to-day job. Recall from this article that the primary reason employees don’t follow safety procedures is because of discomfort or frustration with their personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety equipment. Influencers are working in the trenches with the rest of the team, so they’re in an ideal position to explain why following the correct procedures and using safety equipment is important.

2. Set clear goals, standards, and consequences.

Management must define easy-to-understand safety standards and communicate them clearly. With clear standards in place, management should also clearly communicate the consequences of not following safety standards, enforce those standards, and provide both corrective measures and incentives or rewards, as appropriate.

You also need metrics that assess your organization’s safety program. In addition to tracking incident rates, consider using proactive metrics such as the number of infractions cited, safety meeting attendance, and safety pop quiz results. Another way to gauge the effectiveness of your safety program is to rate staff members for their role in promoting safety either quarterly or at an annual review.

Additionally, managers and their teams must have the tools they need to be safe. Such tools include PPE as well as other safety products that are relevant to the job and work materials: for example, fall protection, absorbent mats, and absorbent pads and rolls that reduce risk of slip, trip, and fall accidents.

3. Constantly improve your process.

Safety policies and standards should not be a “set-and-forget” idea. Teams should conduct regular safety meetings to discuss how the equipment and policies are working. Company leadership should provide opportunities for employees to suggest ways that the company can be more productive and make better equipment investments. Make safety a way of life for your organization, not just an ideal or something only taken seriously when someone is watching.

Do you have the right safety products on hand for your workplace? To find out, contact Angie Meza at angie@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

Make Personal Protective Equipment a Priority

July 7, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Workplace injuries and deaths in the U.S. cost a total of $198.2 billion in 2012, according to the National Safety Council. But despite the enormous cost of accidents and other workplace safety incidents, too many workers are risking on-the-job injuries because they are not using personal protective equipment (PPE) consistently.

According to a Kimberly-Clark Professional survey, 82% of safety professionals had observed staff in their organization failing to wear the appropriate PPE. Additionally, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 84% of on-the-job head and face injuries are sustained by employees not wearing the proper PPE.

OSHA defines PPE as “equipment worn to minimize exposure to serious workplace injuries and illnesses” that can come from contact with chemical, physical, or mechanical hazards. Examples of PPE include gloves, hearing protection, eye and face protection, head protection (hard hats), protective clothing, and respirators.

Reasons for noncompliance

Kimberly-Clark’s survey provides a number of reasons why workers are not using PPE at all appropriate times. The single greatest reason, according to safety professionals, is that workers perceive that PPE is unnecessary. Other reasons cited are that the equipment is uncomfortable, it’s too hot, or it impedes productivity (e.g., not easily available, ill fitting).

Fortunately, businesses can overcome many of these causes for noncompliance by educating employees, changing workplace behaviors, and possibly upgrading equipment.

Practical steps to increase PPE usage

Improving PPE compliance in your organization can reduce medical expenses, staffing losses resulting from employee injuries, and costs associated with OSHA noncompliance. Here are some steps you can take to help instill the habit of using PPE in your employees:

Educate workers about the dangers of noncompliance. The primary reason workers aren’t using PPE is that they don’t perceive a task or work environment as dangerous. Having honest discussions with employees about the dangers of noncompliance, as well as the more intangible or long-term dangers (such as exposure to heavy metals), is the first step in promoting proper PPE use.
Have clear policies and enforce them. Supervisors should communicate PPE policies to employees and post policies at worksites to serve as a regular reminder. Managers should address noncompliance incidents quickly to maintain a high standard of safety.
Encourage correct PPE maintenance. Survey data shows that many employees don’t understand the importance of properly maintaining PPE. Supervisors should make sure employees understand how to clean, store, and maintain safety equipment and why doing so is important for overall safety.
Lead by example. Managers and supervisors need to reinforce the importance of using PPE correctly and consistently — and that includes always using PPE when their own jobs require it.
Solicit feedback. Give employees an opportunity to discuss the specific challenges they have with using PPE.
Consider equipment upgrades. Innovative safety equipment, such as a helmet that can serve as a traditional hard hat or convert to a helmet with face protection, could make PPE use easier and more convenient for employees. Or, try investing in more comfortable full-body suits or gloves with a roughened surface for a proper grip.

PPE is a critical part of workplace safety, and it’s also mandated by law. By paying attention to workers’ PPE usage and enforcing your organization’s PPE policies, you’ll help to keep down injury-related costs and most important, keep your employees and workplace safe.

Do you have the right products on hand to keep your workers safe? To find out, contact Angie Meza at angie@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.