Health & Safety

crane operator

Use of Overhead Cranes, Powered Industrial Trucks, and Slings – Risks of Unsafe Use and OSHA/ANSI Requirements for Training and Operation

Introduction Efficient handling of materials is vital to the steel fabricating and coating shop processes. These facilities typically employ powered industrial trucks, overhead and gantry cranes, and slings to move tons of materials such as steel within the confines of a building, between buildings, and to/ from transportation vehicles. Material handling is not done without […]

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beryllium osha

OSHA’s Final Rule on Beryllium: Key Provisions and Proposed Modifications Affecting the Abrasive Blast Cleaning Industry

Introduction The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies beryllium and beryllium compounds as carcinogenic to humans, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies inhaled beryllium as a possible carcinogen.  Despite its toxicity, beryllium is an important material in the aerospace, electronics, energy, telecommunication, energy, medical and defense industries due to its physical properties,

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noise hazards

Noise Hazards in the Coatings Industry: Long Term Effects and Hearing Conservation

Primary Contributors to Noise Hazards in the Coatings Industry Continuous exposure to noise above 85 dBA (adjusted decibels) causes permanent damage to the hair cells in the cochlea resulting in irreversible hearing damage.  The National Institute Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends 85 dBa as the maximum exposure to noise over an eight hour time

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lead presence

Determining the Presence of Lead and Who’s Responsible?

Today it’s fairly common knowledge that lead can be found in older industrial, marine, and even some commercial coating systems on existing structures.  But just because the coating system is old doesn’t guarantee that lead is present.  And the opposite holds true as well – just because the coating system is new doesn’t necessarily mean

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organic solvent

Effects of Organic Solvent Exposure on Humans

An organic solvent is a chemical that is relatively stable, in the liquid state at temperatures of approximately 0 degree to 250 degree Celsius.  Common organic solvents are classified as alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, esters, glycol ethers, and ketones. Organic solvents are widely employed since they dissolve, suspend or extract other materials

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health and safety

Determining the Presence of Asbestos in Commercial Buildings

When planning and designing building renovations and additions, facility upgrades and demolitions, consideration needs to be given to determining whether asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are present in the areas of proposed work.  Lack of pre-planning for the assessment of the spaces for ACM can lead to significant scheduling delays as well as cost overruns or change

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kta press release

KTA Welcomes New Environmental Health and Safety Project Manager, Dr. Leah Tipton

KTA Welcomes New Environmental, Health and Safety Project Manager, Dr. Leah Tipton KTA-Tator, Inc. (KTA) is proud to announce the addition of Dr. Leah Tipton to its growing Environmental, Health and Safety Department (EH&S). As part of her role as EH&S Project Manager at KTA, Dr. Tipton will be responsible for proposal development, management and

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crystalline silica exposure

Respirable Crystalline Silica Exposures in the Coatings Industry

Introduction Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica in the coatings industry may occur during, or while working alongside dust-producing operations involving a concrete substrate, while using sand as an abrasive (silica may be present in the abrasive), or as a component of the coating (silica may be an extender used in coatings). Operations using sand

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slippery surface

Testing the Slip Resistance Properties of Flooring

Measuring slip resistance of walking surfaces involves identifying applicable regulations; the appropriate test device and test method; surfaces to be tested (flat surfaces, ramps and stairs, areas of surface wear, contamination, and irregular flooring surfaces); and applicable types of footwear (or lack thereof).  With so many variables, the process quickly becomes complicated.  This article discusses

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