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Industrial Scientific Releases Online Training Videos for MX6 iBrid™ Multi-Gas Monitor
PITTSBURGH, PA, USA - 28 Jan 2008 - Industrial Scientific Corporation, a global leader in gas detection and monitoring instruments, systems and related services, is pleased to announce that two new online training videos have been added to the company's award-winning Web site.
A 19-minute online video gives a general overview of the MX6 iBrid™ multi-gas monitor, as well as its features and operation. This training tool combines video footage with voiceover to guide the viewer through topics like menu navigation, remote sampling, datalogging and calibration. The video is divided into 17 tutorials for easy navigation and reference. The video is available on Industrial Scientific's Web site at http://www.indsci.com/services/MX6_Video_English.aspx.
A professional online training course is also available for the MX6, offering a much more in-depth look at the world's first gas monitor with a full-color display. It is also available on Industrial Scientific's Web site at http://www.indsci.com/services/onlineMX6course.aspx.
The course features nearly three hours of instruction divided into eight self-paced modules. The modules cover everything from the proper use and operation of the MX6, to specific topics like gas sensor technology and confined space entry procedures.
Check this Out: New NIOSH Science Blog
NIOSH has a new tool for sharing research and communicating with the public—the new NIOSH Science Blog. If you haven’t already visited the blog, take a look at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/. The latest post on Stress at Work by Steven Sauter, PhD (Senior Scientist in the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology) went live on December 3. Other topics posted since the creation of the blog in November include Preventing Firefighter Deaths from Cardiovascular events and Truck Driver Safety and Health.
John Howard, M.D. Director of National Institute for Occupational Safety hopes that the NIOSH Science Blog will become an important channel through which NIOSH research can be seen, read, discussed, understood and used to improve worker safety and health throughout the world.
Fit Testing - Love It or Hate It, Fit Testing is Mandatory Strap on the respirators and facepieces and let the fit testing begin! On October 1st, OSHA began requiring that all healthcare employers perform annual fit testing and follow the OSHA standard 1910.134. Much like your annual birthday party and Thanksgiving dinner, fit testing will now be an annual ritual followed by healthcare employers. However for many healthcare employees, fit testing falls side by side with their annual spring cleaning, an unpleasant and timely task.
How it all began...
The mandatory fit testing debate has been an ongoing battle for quite some time. It all began in 1997 when OSHA proposed a rule that included provisions for fit testing designed to control tuberculosis in healthcare institutions. In 2003, OSHA announced they would apply the General Industry Respiratory Standard to tuberculosis, including fit testing. Finally in 2004, OSHA announced that fit testing would be mandatory for all healthcare employers. Opposed to the mandate, Congressman Roger Wicker introduced a rider to the Appropriations Bill (known as the Wicker Amendment) that would prohibit OSHA from enforcing fit testing for respirators designed to protect health care workers against tuberculosis. However, on July 11th, the Wicker Amendment failed approval by the Appropriations Committee with a party-line vote of 38-27.
Wicker Amendment Misconceptions...
To many healthcare employers, the Wicker Amendment was a pleasant addition that meant less complaining from employees and more money saved. However, the Wicker Amendment held many misconceptions.
- Wicker Amendment only prohibited annual fit testing for tuberculosis, not other diseases such as SARS, Avian Bird Flu, etc.
- States under state OSHA agencies had to follow state standards, not general OSHA standards.
- The Wicker Amendment prohibited OSHA from requiring annual fit testing. Initial fit testing was still mandatory.
Moving forward...
Love it or hate it, healthcare employers are now required to perform annual fit testing, following the OSHA standard 1910.134, including fit testing. To lessen the burden, employers may perform Qualitative fit testing, rather than Quantitative. Qualitative fit testing may be performed relatively quickly and easily, by using an agent which may be detected by a test subject due to its distinct taste or smell.
PAPR Systems that don't require fit testing...
You may consider respirators that don't require fit testing, such as the Bullard Powered Air Purifying System with a loose-fitting facepiece or hood. The Bullard PA20 PAPR with a 20LFL loose-fitting facepiece provides superior protection, comfort and value for infection control healthcare professionals, and eliminates the need for fit testing. Bullard loose-fitting facepieces are latex free and have a large filtering area that requires less frequent change outs. Able to accommodate facial hair, eyewear and stethoscopes, Bullard facepieces are also reusable. For more information on fit testing or Bullard PAPRs and loose-fitting facepeices, contact us at premier@premiersafety.net or 1-800-828-1080.
Premier sponsors CK Racing
Premier Safety & Service, Inc. is proud to sponsor CK Racing out of Aliquippa Pa. Craig Kamickaer is the driver and is the 2004-2006 Pittsburgh Circle Track Champion and finished 1st in points overall. He is the 2nd all time winner at the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway in the Pure Stock Division (Dirt Track).
Mobile Fire Extinguisher Service and Sales
Premier Safety & Service, Inc. is pleased to announce that in addition to our existing respiratory and instrumentation mobile service, we now provide mobile on site service technicians that will come to you and service your fire extinguishers and facility. Our complete recharge system on our mobile van reduces the down time of a fire extinguisher, making it ready for any emergency. Premier Safety & Service Inc. has a 13 Point Inspection procedure completed on every fire extinguisher inspection. During our inspection of your facility we can also inspect exit/emergency lighting and fire extinguishers per, NFPA 10 “Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers” and NFPA 101 “Life Safety Codes”. We also provide a log sheet of fire extinguisher location, type, and next service date at the end of our inspection and a complete line of new Fire Extinguisher and Cabinets to meet all of your facilities needs. Please contact us for more information about our Mobile Fire Extinguisher Service at 1-800-828-1080 or premier@premiersafety.net.
A New Resource on Construction Safety and Health
A new web site, the Electronic Library of Construction Safety and Health, eLCOSH, provides a wide range of materials on construction safety and health
Biological Contaminants
US Environmental Protection Agency provides basic facts on the effects of biological contaminants in the home, and other sources of information on the topic.
EPA Takes Action To Improve Drinking Water Quality
Improved drinking water for 109 million Americans is the objective of a new EPA proposed groundwater protection rule.