Canadian Occupational Safety

December/January 2016 23 TOOLS OF THE TRADE SOFTWARE DIGITAL PPE MANAGEMENT According to a recent study by 3M, the majority of safety and health professionals still either use pen and paper, word pro- cessing or spreadsheets to manually document their safety programs. To help reduce paperwork and time spent on doc- umentation and compliance tasks, 3M has developed Active Safety, a personal protective equipment (PPE) management system. Active Safety uses radio-frequency identifi cation (RFID) tags and cloud-based software that runs on both mobile and desktop devices. To deploy Active Safety, safety professionals add each piece of PPE onto the platform. An RFID tag is attached to each piece, and a user scans that RFID tag with a mobile device to record PPE history, usage and location. The safety professional can also schedule upcoming events, such as worker inspections and fi t testing, and can access data from her PPE program on a simple dashboard. It gathers PPE data from across a facility or multiple sites, and can be used with existing PPE. Additional features of Active Safety can include worker-specifi c PPE record management, inspections and maintenance, PPE audits, inventory man- agement and trackers for employee training, medical evaluations and fi t-testing. Active Safety is confi gurable to fi t unique safety program needs. www.3M.com IMPROVED RISK MANAGEMENT Synergi Life software is a business solution for improving risk and quality, health, safety and environmental (QHSE) management. It provides all the tools necessary to manage non-conformances, incidents, risk analyses, audits, assess- ments and improvement suggestions. In a global business environment there is a great awareness of risk, yet most companies lack a complete picture of their enterprise risk portfolio, says the manufacturer. Companies need to address risk quickly and demonstrate risk performance in real-time — and in an accountable and transparent way. Synergi Life covers a variety of workfl ow processes, including reporting, processing, analyzing, corrective actions, communication, experience transfer, trending and KPI monitoring. Synergi Life can be used across a number of industries, such as energy, health care, transportation, municipal government and construction. The software boasts industry-specifi c solutions that are up- to-date according to business standards and all new requirements. Synergi Life enhances communication and co-operation within an organization, as lessons learned are shared to prevent repeated errors, says the manufacturer. www.dnvgl.com OHS PRODUCTS PAINT APPAREL The Kimberly-Clark Professional KleenGuard A45 Liquid and Particle Protection Surface Prep and Paint Apparel is ideal for use in surface preparation and paint application areas where isocyanate and chromate dust protection is mandated. Made with light-weight fabric, the apparel's ergonomic design does not sacrifi ce comfort for protec- tion in work environments where hazardous and non-hazardous contaminants may be present, says the manufacturer. Designed specifi - cally with the surface prep and paint area in mind, KleenGuard A45 features a refl ex coverall design that allows more freedom of movement and less restriction, allowing the worker to complete her job without modifying the garment. The KleenGuard A45 passes the National Fire Protection Agency's (NFPA) 99 standards for antistatic materials, and includes a respirator fi t hood design, water resistant zipper and serged seams. Further, the KleenGuard A45 is resistant to dry particulates, repellent to liquid splashes, resistant to liquids under pressure and antistatic to meet the specifi c needs in various work environments. www.kcprofessional.com NO TOP RUNG Little Giant Ladder Systems has unveiled the SafeFrame step- ladder designed to address the three leading causes of ladder accidents: the user standing on the top run or top cap; the user missing the bottom step when descending from a ladder; and the user working on unlevelled surfaces. The SafeFrame eliminates the top rung, preventing the unsafe practices of standing on the top rung or accessing the top cap. The SafeFrame also features an extra deep standing rung and Little Giant's new Face-Forward top cap to encourage operators to use the ladder correctly and to provide increased balance and stability. The Ground Cue bottom rung indicator provides an audible and tactile cue that signals to the operator it is safe to transition to the ground. It will train the user to feel and hear an audible alert reminding him that it is safe to dismount the ladder. An inte- grated quad leg levelling system easily adjusts the SafeFrame to nearly any unlevelled surface, which provides unmatched stability on unlevelled terrain. The levellers are extremely quick and easy to operate and adjust hands-free in seconds, providing security and stability on nearly any surface. The ladder is ANSI rated to hold 375 pounds. www.littlegiantladders.com HEARING PROTECTION CORDED EARPLUG DISPENSER Moldex is now offering the corded version of its Glide Foam Twist- In Earplug in its popular PlugStation earplug dispensers. Glide PlugStation is convenient, allows for easy access and the high vis- ibility dispenser increases awareness — all of which lead to higher compliance, says the manufacturer. Plus, because workers take one pair at a time, there is no wasteful grabbing of multiple pairs or pocket fi ll-ups that end up getting trashed without being used. Also, this means the plugs are more hygienic because they are not falling on the fl oor or in trays that collect dust and contaminants. PlugStations are sealed to ensure that the plugs stay clean and sanitary. When the PlugStation is empty, simply toss it and hang a new one — no fumbling with messy, hard-to-use refi lls. Each dispenser comes with 150 earplugs. The Glide Foam Twist-In Earplug has a unique multi-curved stem that rotates for a custom fi t inside the ear canal and boasts an NRR of 30 dB. The cord can be attached at any desired length. www.moldex.com MULTIPLE REFORMS FLUGZ Advanced Hearing Protection allows users to form and fi t the earplugs to their ear canals multiple times. FLUGZ come sealed in their own reusable container, which serves as a "steamer" for forming once or over and over again. The custom fi t hearing protectors fi t into the ear in less than two minutes, says the manufacturer. The container includes a right and left ergonomic earplug. To form and fi t the earplug, the user fi lls the steamer — with the ear plugs inside — with mild tap water and places it in the microwave for 30 to 40 seconds. Then, he drains the water and blow dries the plug and fi ts it into his ear canal. FLUGZ feature a fi rm inner core that retains structure and shape; a fi rm, composite grip and lanyard post; and a soft formable hook end that locks into the outer ear. FLUGZ have an NRR rating of 21. The product is designed, developed and manufactured in the United States. www.FLUGZ.com 10-MINUTE MOULD Radians' permanent custom moulded earplugs come in a do- it-yourself kit that moulds in 10 minutes to the shape of the ear canal. The user simply opens the containers and separates the coloured and white materials into halves. Then he mixes one of the coloured halves with one of the white halves until they are one consistent colour. Lastly, the worker gently presses the material into one ear by pushing in the centre of the silicone. This sits in the ear for 10 minutes then the plug is removed. With a 26 dB NRR, Radians' custom moulded earplugs are safe, non-toxic, long lasting and washable — and made in the United States. They come in a variety of colours (tan, blue, red, orange and pink) and packaging includes poly bags, retail box and 32 count mixed jar for heavier use. Accessories, such as a hard carrying case and lanyards with self-tapping screws, are also available. www.radians.com

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