Stay Hydrated At Work This Summer

Whether you work outside in the hot summer sun or inside an air conditioned office, staying hyrdated is key to staying healthy. Your body depends on water for survival. Did you know that water makes up more than half of your body weight? Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to function correctly. For example, your body uses water to maintain its temperature, remove waste and lubricate joints. Water is essential for good health.

Working outside in the sun or in high temperature environments puts you at risk for dehydration, heat stroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion. It is important to replenish your body frequently with water lost due to perspiration, breathing, and going to the restroom. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, take frequent breaks to get water or activity drinks containing electrolytes like Sqwincher.

Even when you are working in an office environment,  it can be tiring thanks to the effects of the stuffy atmosphere and dry air conditioning. Drinking more water can improve your concentration and keep you focused on your work. Take frequent trips to the water cooler or drink electrolyte rich activity drinks. It is recommended that you drink 48-64oz. of water per day! So drink up and stay healthy and focused this summer!

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Hot Tips to Handle Heat Stress

1. Beware of heat exhaustion, heat cramps or heat stroke when you’re involved in strenuous activity in environments of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above.

2. Take time to allow your body to adjust to high-heat, high-humidity environments before exertion begins.

3. If you work in protective clothing and equipment, your chances of heat stress are greatly increased. In work environments above 81 degrees Fahrenheit or above, experts recommend no employees spend more than 15 minutes of any one hour in an impervious suit unless cooling has been provided to the suit or the employee is wearing a heat stress monitor.

4. Don’t depend on thirst or sweat as an indicator of escalating body heat. Thirst is not always a dependable gauge and sweat may evaporate quickly, especially in dry heat environments. Instead, be aware of the temperature and humidity, and drink fluids with electrolytes at regular intervals.

5. Know the symptoms of heat stoke, head exhaustion and heat cramps, and respond quickly!

6. Remember, it is much easier to prevent heat stress injuries than to recover from them. Be aware of the environment in which you work and drink plenty of fluids with electrolytes on a regular basis throughout the work day.

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What’s Going On With Cotton, Leather & Rubber?

In recent months, the price of cotton, leather and rubber has been consistently rising. Shortages and high demand of these products have caused these rapid price increases. In our industry – products that have certainly faced increases include: string knit gloves, hot mill gloves, PVC gloves, any cotton containing gloves, leather gloves, latex gloves, safety apparel, mop heads, some first aid products, etc.

Unfortunately, the outlook in the next few months does not look any better. Prices are expected to rise through at least the end of this fall. (Maybe longer!) Cotton is projected to increase 10-25% this year. Leather & Rubber are expected to rise 10-15%.

Please be aware that over the next several month cotton, leather and rubber containing products may take longer to receive in  than normal. Stock is limited on several products (especially gloves). Please allow extra time for these products to come in and order far in advance! We appreciate your understanding and continued support. We are monitoring the market conditions closely so we can provide you with the most up-to-date information. As always, do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns!

www.amerisourcesupply.com

Customer Service: (313) 924-0696

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Polyester Strapping – PET Stapping

Polyester strapping (also known as PET Strapping) is used when regular polypropylene strapping isn’t strong enough to get the job done. Polyester strap most closely resembles steel strapping in its physical characteristics.

Polyester strapping will withstand higher tensioning than other plastic strapping – up to 25% higher – with equivalent break strengths. It will retain tension on rigid loads better than other non-metallic strapping.

Polyester strapping is virtually unaffected by weather or ultraviolet rays. It is significantly lower in cost than steel strapping, a lot safer to use (no sharp edges), and easier to dispose of. 

Considering all of the above, polyester strapping has become a wise & popular choice as a steel strapping replacement.

Strapping Finish

Standard finish for polyester strapping is smooth. Strapping with a smooth finish has a much higher tensile strength then the same strapping gauge with an embossed finish. Since  polyester strapping is meant to replace steel strapping in many applications, it is manufactured with the highest break strength available.

When applied to heavy loads, polyester strap can absorb a high amount of energy without breaking and it has a higher resistance to elongation under tension than other types of strap. The strap can be applied manually or by automatic process.

Manufactued from textile yarn, the straps rounded edges will not scratch paintwork  or damage  forklift truck tires. The edges allow it to fit smoothly around packaging contours including those of difficult or unusually shaped products.

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Cotton Prices Continue to Soar!

Over the past several months the cost of cotton has increased over 30% and is predicted to continue to rise. Terrible weather conditions, increased crude oil prices and high demand are the culprits behind the shortages and resulting price increases.

Cotton is currently selling at a record-breaking price of approximately $2 per pound. Several of our products such as gloves, mops, personal protective apparel and some first aid products will be effected by these unfavorable market conditions. If you purchase any of these products – please be aware that prices will be rising.

We are working with our vendors to minimize the effects of the price increases on our cotton products, but due to the shortage of product and high demand, the prices will inevitably rise over the upcoming months. We assure you that we are watching the market carefully and are doing our best to keep you informed. Thank you for your support and understanding. And as always, feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns!

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Absorbent Pads

The wide variety of absorbent mats available on the market helps ensure that there is a task-specific mat for nearly every application. However, sometimes too much choice can make it more difficult to choose and help is needed to select the right absorbent. Universal, oil and chemical spill pads are the types of absorbents you will most commonly find on the market which soak up many types of liquids. Universal mats take in a combination of different liquids whilst there are oil and chemical absorbent pads that are designed to soak up specific types of liquid. These different types are also available in different weights and strengths for you to choose from.

So how can you make sure you choose the best absorbent mat for your application? By answering the three questions below you can make sure that you choose the best absorbent mat for your application.

1. What liquids are you working with?

Firstly, you should identify all the types of liquid that you work with in your facility. Using the wrong type of absorbent will mean the spill won’t be absorbed and is likely to spread, possibly causing even more of a hazard. Using the right type of absorbent pad will allow for fast, efficient spill cleanup.

There are typically three types of absorbent mats available on the market which are color-coded for ease of selection, these are:

• Universal Absorbent Pads – absorb a variety of non-aggressive liquids including oils, coolants, solvents and water. Typically these types of absorbents are grey in color to hide grime and blend in well with industrial and other workplace settings.

• Chemical Spill Pads – soak up aggressive liquids such as acids, bases, oxidisers and any unknown liquids. These are color coded pink for quick identification and high visibility of a dangerous spill situation.

• Oil Absorbent Pads – absorb petroleum-based liquids from the surface of the water and can also be used on land-based spills during rainfall. These are typically color coded white

Determining the types of liquids you work with will ensure that you choose a compatible absorbent mat, the clean up of leaks and spills is made easier and you can make sure your facility is cleaner and safer for your employees.

2. What volume of liquid is likely to spill?

When choosing your absorbent mat, consider the maximum amount of liquid that is likely to spill as this will determine the best weight of mat that you will need for your application. Universal, Oil and Chemical spill pads are usually available in three weights: heavy-weight, medium-weight and light-weight.

It is important to choose the right weight of mat so that your absorbent mats are used to their full potential and money isn’t wasted. Using a heavy-weight mat in a low-volume application may mean that the pad is thrown away before it is fully saturated. Likewise, a light-weight mat that needs to be changed out four times during a single shift means money lost on inefficient and unnecessary labor costs. Finding a balance between volume and absorbency is an important part of your leak and spill pad selection.

3. What kind of traffic is in the area?

The kind of traffic in the area where a spill is likely to happen is another important thing to consider when selecting your universal, chemical or oil absorbent pads. Determining this will let you know how durable your absorbent mat needs to be. In areas of high traffic where forklifts and carts are used you will need an extremely durable, long wearing mat; whereas in lower traffic areas such as aisles, walkways and under machines normal light, medium and heavy weight mats will be suitable.

Universal, oil and chemical spill pads can help keep production areas cleaner and safer by absorbing different liquids and providing a drier walking surface, providing you choose the right absorbent mat for your specific application. By answering the three questions above it will point you in the right direction and you can make sure your facility is prepared for dangerous leaks and spills.

4. Do you need any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

The variety of liquids that have the potential to create a spill is vast. Spill responders also come in all shapes and sizes. Because of these two factors, we do not supply PPE with our kits, because a spill kit that contains the wrong gloves or the wrong size suit isn’t going to do you a lot of good in an already stressful situation. We do, however, allow room in our kits for PPE to be added. This helps ensure that workers will be properly protected, and the right equipment will be readily available.

1) Universal maintenance

When you are not sure what kind of spill to expect, a universal pad is will quickly soak up just about any type of liquids. When choosing your universal absorbent pad, it is important that you choose one that is perforated so that you can use only what you need. It should also be gray to mask dirt, and you should be able to wring out for repeated use.

The universal maintenance absorbent pad is ideal for absorbing hydraulic fluids, water, vegetable oil, acetone, turpentine, hexane, MEK, and many other kinds of fluids.

2) Oil only

When choosing a sorbent pad that absorbs oil, you want one that is lint-free and allows for quick wicking. Oil should not remain on a surface for too long, especially if you don’t want that surface to stain.

You can use an oil absorbent pad on land or water, basically whenever or wherever unwanted oil is present. As the name indicates, these types of pads absorb hydrocarbons only. They repel and float on water so that oil can be extracted from water.

3) Economy oil only

The economy oil absorbent pad absorbs oil on contact. Its bright color makes it easy to see when the pad is completely saturated with oil.

These sorbent pads can also be used on land or on water to soak up oil spills. All hydrocarbons can be absorbed, including fuel oil, gasoline, lubricating oils, and diesel.

4) Hazmat

When hazardous chemicals are spilled, they need to be absorbed especially quickly because they are most likely to be harmful to a person’s health. Having perforated and strong hazmat absorbent pads handy can increase the safety of your environment.

Hazmat absorbent pads are ideal for any spills of known and unknown liquids, including caustic soda, sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and other harmful chemicals.

5) Polybacked absorbent pad

These types of sorbent pads are made from two layers of fine fiber polypropylene that is bonded around a meltdown core with an impenetrable poly backing. The chemical resistant backing protects your flooring and even your hands from most liquids.

Polybacked absorbent pads can be used as a general purpose absorbent that absorbs liquids, including water-based liquids.

6) Anti-static

Anti-static sorbent pads are pads that are specially treated to repel water and absorb oil, as well as other hydrocarbons.

These pads can be used to absorb fuels that are volatile even in cold temperatures.

So when looking for the right sorbent pad, make sure you take a look at the oils and liquids that you need absorbed to ensure you get the right kind. With the right pad, your work environment will be much dryer, cleaner, and safer.

Buy Absorbent Mats and all of your janitorial needs at *AMERISOURCE INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY*

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ICE MELTER

MAY WE SUGGEST THESE ICE MELTING PRODUCTS…

Now is the time to stock up on ice melting products before you actually need them. It is also a good idea to keep a small bag in the trunk of your car in case you get stuck on an icy parking lot or side street. There are many products available and understanding the differences between them will help you choose the best one.

HOW DO ICE MELTING PRODUCTS WORK?

Ice melting products work by first attracting moisture and forming a liquid, then as the liquid flows over and under the ice it causes it to melt. The rate of melting depends on how fast the chemical reacts to the existing moisture. When temperatures drop there is less water available and melting is slowed or inhibited. All products will have some effect on the environment.

The two most commonly used and inexpensive materials are Rock salt ( sodium chloride, NaCl) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂). They melt ice over the broadest temperature range and are the only materials effective below 20F. Sodium chloride will work down to 15F, and calcium chloride to 5F. Both are very corrosive and can damage lawns, trees and shrubs.

Ice melting materials that are less corrosive are: urea (fertilizer), potassium chloride (KCL), and calcium magnesium acetate (CMA). These materials are only effective down to 20F and are more expensive. The least effective of the three is the urea. This is a fertilizer and is required in large amounts to melt ice and therefore has the potential to pollute surface and ground water. The Maryland Cooperative Extension does not recommend using fertilizers for ice melting.

Often products contain combinations of the above materials along with an aggregate like sand to aid traction. These products are effective over the entire range of temperatures while offering reduced environmental impact. Check the label to be sure of the contents of the package.

APPLICATION AND STORAGE

Ice melting products are best applied prior to ice formation. They should be spread thinly over the entire surface. If thick ice has formed in very cold weather add some water to the product to initiate melting.

Experts emphasize that proper ice melter storage will depend on the composition of the product. A good rule of thumb: Ice melters should be stored in airtight containers in humidity-controlled environments. In other words, keep them away from moisture and air.

According to experts, chlorides will draw moisture and will degrade and harden the ice melt product. But, if you have product left over at the end of the season as long as the bag hasn’t been opened, you can leave it as is. Again, any open containers must be completely sealed as exposed ice melters attract moisture and can lead to a product that’s akin to concrete.

Cleaning departments are also encouraged to keep bagged ice melt in air tight containers and covered with a dark wrap to keep the bags from becoming brittle from ultra violet exposure.

Suggested rules of storage for ice melters:
• Protect them from humidity/moisture and sunlight.
• Store them in the original or sealed bag — must be air tight

SAFETY: FOR YOURSELF AND THE ENVIRONMENT

• When using calcium chloride, you must protect eyes and hands as this product can burn unprotected skin.
• Beware of slip and fall hazards. Some manufacturers comment that the oily-like residue from snow and ice treated with calcium chloride can represent a dangerous slip and fall hazard. Customers ought not be fooled by calcium chloride products that claim to have been treated to eliminate this nasty residue — by its very chemical makeup, calcium chloride leaves behind an oily-like residue.
• Use the recommended amount. Overuse can burn vegetation and desiccate the soil. The best precaution is to use spreaders with guards to prevent ice melters from being applied to areas which can be damaged. For narrow pathways and walks, drop spreaders are most effective. (Plus, it costs money to waste product.)
• Of course, do not ingest the product.

Tip:
Many customers think that the ice melt products damage concrete. According to experts, in reality it is the physical freeze/thaw cycle which is accelerated by ice melters that causes spalling in the concrete surface. Using ice melters that work at a lower temperature will lessen this effect as they will lessen the frequency of refreezing..

So, order your ice melter ahead of time, make sure you get the one that’s right for you, store it properly…and enjoy a (relatively) hassle-free, ice-free winter season.

YOU CAN FIND ICE MELTER AND RELATED PRODUCTS AT

AMERISOURCE INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY

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Mold Cleaner Degreaser III industrial mold cleaner No. 45920

• No methylene chloride
• No chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s)
• No 1,1,1 Trichloroethane
• Meets all current EPA and OSHA Regulations
• Nonflammable formulation

Slide(R) Mold Cleaner Plus Degreaser III provides a convenient method for removal of silicones, grease, oil and wax build-up on mold surfaces, etc. without the need for wiping. Ideal for cold molds, it leaves no residue so it cleans without wiping. It has a fast evaporating formulation and is non-flammable, non-conductive and non-abrasive.
NOTICE TO PURCHASER: User shall determine suitability of product for his intended use and assumes all risk and liability in connection herewith.

Specs

No. 45920 aerosol
Net Wt. 20 oz. (16 fl. oz.).
No. 45901B 1-gallon size
No. 45905B 5-gallon size
No. 45955B 55-gallon drum
No. 45960 cylinder

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Purging Compounds Add to “Green” Manufacturing

For plastics manufacturers, the three most common and costly forms of waste are scrap resin, lost time, and wasted energy. Hence, using an effective purging compound solution will reduce all of these sources of waste and lost profits. When performed haphazardly, purging any machine can be financially and environmentally expensive.

Using straight resin to remove the unwanted material from the barrel requires a large amount of time, resin, and energy to properly clean out the machine. Therefore, using an effective commercial purging compound like those offered by Slide Products can reduce waste in all of these areas. Sure, a purging compound costs more per pound when compared to straight resin. But the secondary costs of scrap, energy, and time associated with using straight resin more than exceed the costs of an effective purging compound. And with less scrap resin headed for the landfill, the environmental advantages of using a commercial-grade purging compound are obvious as well.

Slide offers two different purging compound options. The popular and easy-to-use PDQ is a water-based purging additive. It is simply mixed with a carrier resin to create a mixture that quickly and inexpensively removes the unwanted old resin from the machine; thus minimizing lost resin, time, and energy. Slide’s heavy-duty purging compound is the NPT. This ready-to-use formulation is simply added directly to the machine with no extra resin needing to be added. NPT works by chemically destabilizing the unwanted polymer, effectively liquefying the material so that it can more easily be flushed out of the barrel. And again, the use of NPT greatly speeds up the purging process and eliminates much of the wasted resin, energy, and time.

A training video on Slide’s purging compounds is available on our web site. Show this video to your purge prospects. And remember to promote our purge products as a solution to increase the “Green” aspects of a manufacturing process. A good purging compound improves a company’s “Green” position in both the environmental and profitability realms.

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Molding with PVC resin or using flame retardant additives simply causes nothing but headaches for most molders. These materials are widely known to emit acidic gases during the molding process. And these gases cause frustration and problems for the molder. Gases can build up on the mold surface, leading to clogged vents or filled-in mold texture. We see two ways to help solve these situations. The reactive approach is to use a cleaner to help break down and remove these gas deposits after they are formed. Slide’s Resin Remover product is an excellent option for this approach. We also offer a proactive method of trying to prevent the gas from building up on the mold surface. By using Slide’s Mold Saver Release Agent the molder can work to neutralize these corrosive and damaging acidic vapors. Not only does this formulation help with releasing the part from the mold surface, it also contains a powerful base material that will work to eliminate the acidic vapors from the mold cavity as they are being emitted from the resin. So help your customers to be proactive when you run across molders working in these acid-rich molding situations. As always, free samples are available.

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