Why Wear  Safety Glasses?  

 Wearing the proper protection equipment for every task that you are involved in is very important for your safety.  Safety glasses are one of the many important pieces of equipment you can wear.  Your eyes can be harmed by falling debris or any large moving objects.  Knowing the right type of Safety glasses to select is essential for your good health.  Safety glasses protect your eyes while you are working in any potentially dangerous environment.  There are many types of Safety Glasses but the main categories are goggles and safety glasses with side shields.  Of course the type you wear is dependent on the situation you are in.  You may need a tinted safety glass because you are working outside in the sun.  There are also many features that you should consider, you may need glasses made of shatter-resistant plastic, there are types as mentioned above with side shields that will protect your eyes from flying debris or splashing liquids.  Some people think that regular eyeglasses can be used in place of Safety Glasses but if an object hits your eyeglasses, the glass or plastic lens could shatter and shards can become lodged in your eye, not something you want to gamble on.  You can order prescription safety glasses from your optometrist.  You can also purchase large safety glasses that will fit over your regular eyeglasses.  There is one thing that is for sure you do not want to take a chance that your eyes are not protected it is just common sense.

Warning!

Safety Glasses can get damaged and if they become scratched, you should replace them with new ones, immediately if you do not, you take the chance that your vision may become impaired.

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   Ear Plugs & How To Use Them?  

Janitorial Supplies Michigan, Tennessee, Wisconsin – Amerisource Industrial Supply

Earplugs are designed to be placed inside the ear canal to protect the wearer from the damaging effects of excessive noise, or to block the entrance of water, wind, dirt or debris. They are made from a variety of materials, from foam to wax to rubber, are disposable or non-disposable and offer a wide range of protection levels.

Things You’ll Need

Insert memory foam earplugs by holding the plug between your thumb and index finger. Squeeze the earplug and roll it between the two digits, compressing the foam. Place the earplug into your ear canal. As the foam begins to expand, it will conform to the shape of your ear, sealing the canal and blocking out or muffling surrounding noises. Keep the earplug from pushing out of the canal as it expands by applying light pressure on the end for 10 seconds.

Use plastic or rubber earplugs. These work in a similar manner as memory foam, but are longer lasting as you can wash them with soap and water after use. To use these plugs made of soft silicon, slightly angle the tip of the plug towards your nose and slide it into the ear canal as far as it will comfortably go. To get a seal, wiggle the protruding end a bit while giving the plug a gentle push. Once seated, silicon earplugs will allow the wearer to hear the voices of those around while blocking out dangerously loud sounds.

Get a pair of molded ear plugs. These are commonly made from wax or putty. To use molded plugs, pinch off a portion of the plug material and roll it into a ball. Place the ball over the entrance to the ear canal. Flatten the material over the opening, pressing firmly with your thumb to ensure the creation of a good seal. Do not push the material into the ear canal; use it only to cover the opening. With proper use, molded ear plugs will provide you with re-usable, waterproof, noise reducing ear protection.

If you’re uncomfortable with the thought of inserting something into your ear, try a set of noise blocking earmuffs. To use them, simply place the large, noise reducing cups over your ears and put them in the best position by adjusting the headband. Earmuffs are available in a wide variety of styles, offering various levels of noise reduction.

Put in flight ear plugs before your next plane trip. These bear a strong resemblance to silicon rubber ear plugs, and are inserted and used the same way. However, they contain a ceramic core that helps reduce the air pressure changes generated by rapid altitude changes during takeoff and landing.

Make your own earplugs. Coat a cotton ball with petroleum jelly and insert it into the ear canal. This type of homemade ear plug blocks out most background noises and has the added benefit of preventing water from entering

Tips & Warnings

Wearing earplugs anytime you’re exposed to noise above a level that allows normal conversation can help prevent long-term loss of hearing. Situations where you should consider hearing protection include operating a lawn mower or other lawn and garden power equipment, attending a loud concert, and any occupational exposure that involves loud machines.

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Janitorial Supplies Michigan, Tennessee, Wisconsin – Amerisource Industrial Supply

What you should know about Trichloroethylene (TCE)

New EPA assessments to eliminate all Chlorinated solvents.

On September 28, 2011, the EPA issued their “final health assessment” for trichloroethylene (TCE), one of the most widely used chlorinated solvents nationwide, to the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS.) It states:

 “The final assessment characterizes the chemical as carcinogenic to humans…”

 What does this mean?

This assessment has already made an impact on our industry. While some aerosol manufacturers have kept TCE in their formulations, the solvent’s availability has become very limited. Dow, for example, no longer makes TCE accessible to our industry while PPG has chosen to significantly raise its price and limit its availability. This in turn has driven up costs and resulted in higher prices for molders and mold makers who use products like mold cleaners, which contain TCE as a solvent.

This final EPA assessment is the beginning of an inevitable phase-out of TCE from our industry, and molders and mold makers need to re-evaluate the products they use in manufacturing. We also believe that other aerosol manufacturers need to start the process now for finding safe, effective alternatives to the mold releases, mold cleaners, rust preventives, lubricants and other products you use.

What can you do?

To eliminate TCE from your operation, molders should take a hard look at all the aerosols and chemicals used in their manufacturing and cleaning and mold maintenance processes. It’s not as simple as looking at the product label, however. Unlike consumer products, industrial aerosols and chemicals are not subject to the same regulations and requirements and will most likely NOT show ingredients on their label.

You need to review the MSDS kept on file at your company for each product, and/or contact the manufacturer to determine if formulation you’re using contains TCE or other chlorinated solvents.

What alternatives do you have?

There are several solvent alternatives similar to TCE currently being used in aerosol and chemical formulations.  They include:

1) Perchloroethyelene (PERC). The most popular solvent in the dry cleaning process, PERC is also being used by some product manufacturers in the molding and mold-making industry. Though PERC’s benefits are similar to those of TCE, OSHA standards and guidelines limit workers’ exposure to the solvent in order to minimize health hazards.

2) Toluene. Used far less frequently as a solvent, toluene is a clear, colorless liquid with a strong, sweet, pungent odor. You may recognize its distinctive scent in paint thinner, fingernail polish, spot removers, lacquers, adhesives, rubber and antifreeze.  

Inhaling high levels of toluene, however, can be extremely dangerous. Repeatedly breathing toluene over long periods of time can cause death, permanent brain damage, unconsciousness or depression.

3) Chlorine-free solvents.  There are effective alternative solvents that have no known health or environmental issues. Slide Products made the decision to eliminate chlorinated solvents from our products in July 2011, well before the EPA assessment was made public.

By proactively eliminating TCE from the few products in our line that had this solvent, and not using any chlorinated solvents of any kind, we’ve eliminated the questions and guesswork involved in selecting products that are safe, effective and better for the work environment.

 Side bar

A little “chlorinated” history

Over the past few decades our industry has been required to make several formulation changes as a result of new research and regulations. CFC’s (chlorofluorocarbons) were eliminated in the 1980’s over concerns they were harmful to our environment and the ozone layer.

 In the 1980’s 1, 1, 1 trichlorethane determined to be a factor in depleting the ozone layer. In 1989, the Montreal Protocol effectively eliminated the use of this solvent worldwide.

 In the mid 1990’s OSHA changed its exposure guidelines for methylene chloride solvents. Though not specifically stating methylene chloride was a safety hazard, OSHA’s guidelines for exposure to the solvent were so strict it financial impact to be so significant companies chose to eliminate its use and avoid all the additional costs.

 Trichloroethyelene (TCE), one of the most common man-made chemicals found in our environment, is a widely used chlorinated solvent and is frequently found at Superfund sites across the country. The final EPA assessment, in our view, is the beginning of a phase-out of this chemical.

That is all.

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Stop The Spread – Clean and Contain

Nursing Homes: Failure to sterilize linens can become an incubator for the spread of Bacteria and may cause infections in residents, personnel who work at the facility and family and friends who come to visit.

Nursing homes, other health care and extended living operations can produce 2,500 lbs. of dirty laundry a day.  Sheets with blood, urine, feces and other bodily fluids are routinely washed with other, less contaminated items.

To ensure laundry is clean and sanitized key steps are necessary in the processing of Linens.  Housekeeping and laundry personnel need to wear gloves, goggles and any other types of protective equipment and clothing.  Coveralls made of TYVEK will give you the flexibility and durability you require to perform all your functions while being protected.  This step is vital when handling, transporting, sorting and washing soiled linens.  When collecting and transporting soiled linen, handle it as little as possible and with minimum contact to avoid accidental injury and the spread of microorganisms.  Carry linens in covered containers or plastic bags to prevent spills and splashes and confine the soiled linen to a designated area.

Do not do any sorting or washing of soiled linens in areas where patients live or come in contact with.  Establish an area that has adequate ventilation and physical barriers (walls) between the clean and soiled linen areas.  Safe sorting is extremely important.  Bedding from patient’s rooms may contain blood –stained or wet with other body fluids.  Washing and drying all linen items used in the direct care of a resident must be thoroughly washed before reuse.  Decontamination prior to washing is not necessary, unless linen is heavily soiled.  Using Amerisource ONYX, our break detergent will help you handle the most difficult soiled linens.  You can also add bleach about 2 to 3 table spoons will do it, using our OPAL De-Strainer and Sanitizer.

Remember throughout this process make sure if at any time you take your gloves off make sure you wash your hands.

When the linens are clean they are ready to be stored in a clean storage area, keep shelves clean and handle the stored linen as little as possible.  During transportation back to the resident the linens should be wrapped or covered to avoid any contamination.  Do not leave extra linen in a room, avoid shaking linen as it may release dust and lint into the room also clean soiled mattresses before putting linen on them.

It is important that care be taken when you are handling the needs and heath of the elderly.  All of us some day will depend on someone else to maintain a clean environment for us.

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Garbage Bag – Can Liner Keys

1. Select the smallest thinnest bag that does not significantly fail to carry the trash to the collection container
1. Remember you are buying a block of plastic that happens to be blown into bags.  The weight of the case is the most important indication of what you are buying
2. Manufacturers cheat the spec and the case does not always contain what the label says.  The weight never lies.
2. Most people use too big and too thick a liner
1. Most common liner is a 38×58 liner that only fits a empty steel drum.  Have you seen any 5ft tall garbage cans?
2. If you gather the top of the bag and pull it will have it’s maximum strength.  A 1 mil bag will pull more than 75lbs of trash.  How many of you can pull that weight up with your arms over your head?
3. What type of trash
1. Sharp objects – must use LLDPE
2. General trash use HDPE – less plastic for the same pull strength
4. How do you want them packed
1. Flat bulk pack – if case is damaged they can get wasted
2. Coreless rolls – 10-25 in a nice compact roll for easy dispensing and use

                                                               i.      Drop one in the bottom of the can for easy replacement

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Your Hard Hat Has an Expiration Date?

       
    Expiration Stamp

It is hard to believe, but a Hard Hat, and it may be the one you are
wearing right now has an expiration date.  This date is imprinted on the inside of the hat by the manufacturer.  It is recommended that a Hard Hat be replaced every five years.  If you work outside then you may have to replace them every two years.  This may be the result of ultraviolet radiation that will cause a natural degradation over time of the plastic.

You Can Test your Hard Hat– To See What Condition Your Hard Hat is in you can do the Crackle “Pop” Test.  To perform this test all you have to do is hold the Hat upside down and squeeze the two sides together if you hear a cracking sound then the jig is up and you need a new Hard Hat.  If your ear plugs are in when you do the test then what can I say?  But seriously your hat will no longer provide the necessary protection that you will need in the event of any impact to your head.

Now let’s talk about the inside webbing of your Hard Hat, that is recommended to be replaced every 12 months.  The webbing comes out and should be replaced because of all the wear and tear.  The webbing acts as your shock absorber and creates a secure fit for your head.  The idea is to keep your hat on so there are no near miss accidents that cause you injury.

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There is only one effective way to wash your hands?

 Hands often act as culture samples of disease-causing pathogens from person to person.  You can humans or animals and contaminated foods or water can transport bacteria.  Hand washing with soap works by interrupting the transmission of disease.  Proper hand washing and drying includes using all the right products.  For example Tissue and towel products are integral in helping maintain clean and hygienic surroundings, at your home, at the office or anywhere else you may hang your hat.  Have you ever seen the dispensers now showing up at all your local grocery stores? You bet, wipe off the handle of the cart, I do.  But washing your hands includes using soap.  Researchers from the University of Michigan found that Antibacterial soaps are no more effective than plain soap for killing disease causing germs.  Studies also show that drying your hands with paper towels significantly reduces the presence of bacteria that is commonly found on your hands.  That makes sense; you are the one and only using that towel making it an important part of the bacteria reduction process.

 There are minimum resources you will need in order to wash your hands effectively.

Here are some of them:

• You will need a Sink.
• Suitable treated and/or filtered warm water source.
• A “Hands-free” paper towel dispenser.
• Soap that is non-irritating or sensitizing.

Now let’s look at the actual process of Hand Washing:

• You will need to moisten your hands with warm water.
• Using a Total Hand Washing time, including lathering with soap of 15 to 20 seconds.

After your Hand Washing you will need to:

• Rinse well in warm water at an adequate flow rate. During the rinse, hands and fingertips should be positioned down into the sink, with the rinse progressing from elbow or forearm to fingertip. This way, water is drained from the fingertips into the sink.
• It’s important to remove all soap residues from hands during rinsing, since prolonged exposure to soap components can cause irritation.

Last but not least you need to dry off your hands with:

• Single-use paper towels, ideally from a hands-free dispenser, this has been proven above all other methods to effectively remove most unwanted germs and loose skin cells.
• Dry hands thoroughly, since wet hands can pick up and transfer more contamination.

Key Success Factor: The Hand Washing sink must be well maintained, with regular cleanup and replenishment of soap and paper towels. 

Amerisource Industrial Supply Company

Stocks and offers all KIMBERLY-CLARK PROFESSIONAL hand towels.  We packaged, and ship with safety and satisfaction of the customer in mind. Proper storage and use in a dispenser further maintain the cleanliness of the products. Customers who wash their hands and dry them with our towels can be confident of gaining hygienic benefits and reducing the spread of infectious organisms.

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Kwik-Fill Bags

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Testing Reveals High Contamination Levels of Everyday Objects in Major U.S. Cities; Gas Pump and Mailbox Handles are Among the Dirtiest

Kimberly-Clark Professional* Findings Also Show People Encounter Armies of Germs Just Getting to WorkEach Day; Results Reinforce Importance of Proper Hand and Surface Hygiene as Critical to a Healthy Workplace ROSWELL, GA [DATE] –Just in time for cold and flu season, new testing in six major U.S. cities reveals that gas pump and mailbox handles may be among the dirtiest surfaces Americans touch. The results, released today by Kimberly-Clark Professional*, show that more than 60 percent of gas pump and mailbox handles and more than 40 percent of escalator rails and ATM machine buttons can be highly contaminated, potentially exposing people to illness-causing bacteria. Illness in the workplace is not just a health issue, but can also have a major economic impact. Each year companies lose $1,685 per employee due to absenteeism and presenteeism (employees coming to work while sick). 

 The testing was conducted by trained hygienists in high traffic locations in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami and Philadelphia. Using a Hygiena System SURE II ATP Meter, a device commonly used to monitor sanitary conditions in industry, Hygienists swabbed the objects to measure levels of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). ATP is present in all animal, vegetable, bacteria, yeast and mold cells. Detection of ATP indicates the presence of contamination by any of these sources. Everyday objects with an ATP reading of 300 or higher are considered to have a high risk for illness transmission. In all, more than 350 separate swabs were taken and analyzed.

 The percentage of public surfaces tested and found to have high levels of contamination (an ATP count of 300 or higher), includes:

•  71 percent of  Gas Pump Handles
•  68 percent of  Mailbox Handles
•  43 percent of  Escalator Rails
•  41 percent of  ATM Buttons
•  40 percent of  Parking Meters/Kiosks
•  35 percent of  Crosswalk Buttons
•  35 percent of  Vending Machine Button

“People do not realize the amount of contamination they are exposed to going to work each day and doing everyday things like filling their gas tank or riding on an escalator,” said Dr. Charles Gerba, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Arizona. “This new testing is compelling because it underscores the importance of hand and surface hygiene. Most cold and flu viruses are spread because people touch surfaces in their immediate area and then touch their faces, other objects and other people. Washing and drying your hands frequently throughout the day, can help prevent your risk of getting sick or spreading illness around the office.” 

“The likelihood for illnesses to transfer from the objects that people use every day like ATMs and parking meters is eye-opening,” said Brad Reynolds, North American Platform Leader, The Healthy Workplace Project*, Kimberly-Clark Professional*. “These findings indicate that illness-causing germs are everywhere and have the potential to travel with you into your office space. That’s why we developed The Healthy Workplace Project* – a unique approach to hand and surface hygiene that helps employees understand and reduce the spread of cold and flu germs throughout their workplaces.”

The Healthy Workplace Project* is a new, multi-faceted program that Kimberly-Clark Professional* has designed to help companies provide their employees with a healthier and more productive office environment. The program provides educational materials in conjunction with hand and surface hygiene products to employees, arming them with the tools and knowledge necessary to break the cycle of germ transmission in the office. By reinforcing the importance of “washing, wiping and sanitizing” through The Healthy Workplace Project*, employers can help reduce that impact.

About Kimberly-Clark Professional*

Kimberly-Clark Professional* is dedicated to providing essential solutions for a healthier, safer and more productive workplace. These include a unique portfolio of innovative, cost-effective and sustainable offerings for office buildings and lodging properties, healthcare facilities, manufacturing environments, laboratories and cleanrooms, educational facilities, food preparation and processing operations, and home professionals. Kimberly-Clark Professional* offers a comprehensive array of hand hygiene and contamination control solutions to break the germ transmission chain and help create a healthier workplace as well as wiping and safety solutions that minimize risk and drive productivity. Its trusted global brands include Kleenex

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One innovative Skin Care Hand Soap dispenser

 The STOKO® Refresh 4 in 1 dispensing system is the latest cost – cutting Innovation from the worldwide leader in skin care solutions. Now, one durable, attractive, easy – to – use and economical dispenser is all you need for all of your hand hygiene programs.

 One dispenser works with four Skin Care systems

1. Thick Foam encourages frequent washing and proper skin care– environmental friendly and easy on your budget
2. Concentrated spray cleansers and sanitizers deliver superior STOKO quality at the lowest cost per use 
3. Mild liquid cleansers are ideal for use in high – traffic or high – volume work areas 
4. Hand sanitizing gel effectively sanitizes hands without water, killing 99.99% of germs that can cause illness

Flexible skin care System

• Complete system choice with abilityto switch product type at any time
• Easy to operate, simple and quick to refill
• Secure key–entry or convenient  Keyless push–button option
• One dispenser for all product types
• Can be customized with customers logo or colors

Economical Skin Care

•Low Cost per use
•High use per refill

Durable Skin Care Dispenser

• Sturdy, high impact dispenser housing
• Low maintenance, clean design

Better for the environment

• Environmentally preferred ingredients
• Conforms to recognized ecological standards
• Complete system choice with ability to switch product type at any time
• Easy to operate, simple and quick to refill
• Secure key–entry or convenientkeyless push–button option
• One skin care dispenser for all product types
• Can be customized with customer’s logo or colors

 Economical Skin Care Products

• Low cost per use
• High use per refill

Durable

• Sturdy, high impact dispenser housing
• Low maintenance, clean design

STOP throwing money down the drain.

STOKO Refresh 4 in 1 – the best solution for facility operation and business profit!

 Cost effective

• Save time. Save money
• Simplify your purchasing – no morefiguring out which product goes inwhich dispenser
• Streamline your inventory – no needto stock multiple dispensers
• Competitively priced refills
• Improve cash flow – less inventoryto carry
• No confusion at point of use – you always have the right dispenser at hand

Trusted quality from one world class supplier

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