Northern Safety Co., Inc. Safety and Industrial Supplies

Providing reliable safety products to protect employees' hands is important for companies across the country. Businesses can take advantage of the economical NS® Patch Palm Leather Work Gloves, from a trusted safety equipment provider - Northern Safety.

The NS® Patch Palm Leather Work Gloves deliver affordability and durability to employees, protecting workers from abrasions, cuts, and scrapes. A leather patch palm area, full leather index finger, leather finger tips, and leather knuckle strap provide a heavy-duty option that keeps employees' hands safe. Workers can use equipment and tools in construction, mills, agriculture, and more without worry of injury thanks to these sturdy, comfortable gloves.

These top selling work gloves are available by the dozen and offer an easy way to perform daily tasks more safely. The patch palm leather hand protection features a cotton fabric back, rubberized safety cuff, gunn pattern, and wing thumb to provide comfortable wear.

Enhance employee productivity and reduce workplace injury risks by offering workers NS® Patch Palm Leather Work Gloves from Northern Safety.

Handling rough objects without a secure grip can cause problems for workers. Ruf-flex® Premium Rubber Palm Coated Work Gloves from Northern Safety offer a solution. These rugged gloves ensure a great grip and can help reduce hand injuries.

Ruf-flex® Premium Rubber Palm Coated Work Gloves feature a textured rubber coating, allowing employees to maintain a strong grip on heavy equipment and materials. Workers can wear these gloves to keep their hands safe while performing a variety of tasks. The rubber palm and cotton-knit shell provide all-day hand protection that keeps employees comfortable and safe.

Employers can increase safety with these work gloves while reducing hand strain, scrapes, and abrasions. Ensuring hand safety remains a top concern in many work environments, and Ruf-flex® work gloves provide a safety option that suits workers' needs in construction, material handling, maintenance, and farming industries.

Improve workers' hand protection with Ruf-flex® Premium Rubber Palm Coated Work Gloves from Northern Safety.

Employees entering dirty, grimy areas often need protection for their clothing.  NS® ActivGARD® Disposable Polyethylene Shoe Covers are an economical solution to protect workers' footwear from dirt, grime, and liquid spills.

NS® ActivGARD Disposable Polyethylene Shoe Covers are ideal for light duty use and can be used to protect floors from scuffs and heel marks, and carpets from foot traffic dirt as employees complete daily work. Providing workers with polyethylene shoe covers can also help prevent tracking dirt and grime as workers move from one area into another. Disposable shoe covers combine comfort, flexibility, and protection for footwear. These covers are lightweight and low-linting with an elastic opening that offers a self-adjusting, snug fit and easy-on, easy-off.

Convenient, 3 mil anti-static safety apparel is available in two sizes to fit most workers. These affordable safety products are manufactured in an ISO 9002 Registered Facility.

Improve workplace safety and protect workers' footwear with NS® ActivGARD® Disposable Polyethylene Shoe Covers.

Hearing damage can occur when employees are subjected to loud workplace conditions. The NS® Soft Fit® Disposable Uncorded Foam Ear Plugs deliver top-of-the-line hearing protection to employees.

Providing workers with the affordable NS® Soft Fit® Disposable Uncorded Foam Ear Plugs can enhance both productivity and safety. Easy-to-use ear plugs offer a tapered fit that ensures quick and easy insertion and removal, and the NS® Soft Fit® design maximizes comfort and gives employees NRR 29 hearing protection. Soft, non-allergenic foam ear plugs have a smooth surface and expand gradually to provide a comfortable, secure seal. These bright plugs are easy to identify, allowing safety monitors to ensure employees are protected against loud noises and working in compliance with company safety regulations.

Reduce noise-related hearing loss with ear plugs that deliver a safe, reliable solution to limit noise concerns in a variety of workplaces and at worksites.

Sound off against employee hearing risks with NS® Soft Fit® Disposable Uncorded Foam Ear Plugs.

The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) Executive Summit, regarded as the premier meeting for the safety products industry, will draw some of the top global suppliers of personal protective and safety equipment to the Hill Country of San Antonio, Texas.

The summit is scheduled for April 29 to May 1, 2012 and will provide a unique combination of business intelligence and social networking, allowing business representatives to hear experts on economic trends, market opportunities, policies, and government actions. Through networking, participants will be able to build strong, lasting strategic alliances with others in the industry.

"The Executive Summit is a meeting for you and your peers in the business of designing, making and selling worker protection products," ISEA said in a release on the summit. "It offers the kind of networking that will enable you to grow your business."

The ISEA Executive Summit and similar events are important for keeping up with trends in the safety products industry. For all employers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires the use of personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, work gloves, and fall protection, to reduce employee exposure to hazards.

On February 24, 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a warning, stating that occupational exposure in the refinishing industry to products containing methylene chloride can be fatal.

The alert was issued based on an investigation into the death of a bathtub refinisher, conducted by the Michigan Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation program. The program found two earlier, similar fatalities and notified the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which in turn notified the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA identified 10 additional deaths throughout nine states and noted 10 different products have been associated with the deaths of 13 bathtub refinishers. The products included paint and varnish removers, finish strippers, and aircraft and marine paint removers.

"Each death occurred in a residential bathroom with inadequate ventilation. Protective equipment, including a respirator, either was not used or was inadequate to protect against methylene chloride vapor, which has been recognized as potentially fatal to furniture strippers and factory workers but has not been reported previously as a cause of death among bathtub refinishers," the CDC warning read.

In addition to paint stripping and removing, methylene chloride is used in electronics manufacturing and in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, drugs, and film coatings. The extreme hazard the use of methylene chloride poses should be communicated clearly by manufacturers, worker safety agencies, trade organizations, and public health organizations.

The alert concluded that employers "should strongly consider" alternative methods of bathtub refinishing, and always ensure worker safety protections to reduce the risk of health hazards.

According to OSHA, methylene chloride poses serious risks, and workers must wear appropriate safety products when working near the chemical. Respiratory protection, protective clothing, and equipment can help keep workers operating near the chemical safe.

In the first report of its kind, the U.S. Geological Survey has estimated the potential undiscovered, technically recoverable shale oil and gas found in the lands of Alaska's North Slope.

The estimates range from zero to 2 billion barrels of oil and from zero to 80 trillion cubic feet of gas. The resources are said to be technically recoverable, suggesting current technology and industry practices are sufficient for extraction. The area has not yet been tapped for its oil and gas due to economic and infrastructure issues, and lies far from the environmentally sensitive Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

"Better knowledge of the untapped resource potential found in all areas of the country will help us better make science-based decisions about how we continue to grow domestic energy production for America," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. "Alaska’s energy resources hold great promise and economic opportunity for the American people, and we will continue to expand our scientific understanding of existing resources."

Protect workers from inherent hazards in oil and gas well drilling by ensuring the use of safety products, including fall protection, hard hats and safety glasses. 

On February 23, 2012, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), working with the National Hearing Conservation Association, announced the winners of the 2012 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards.

Colgate-Palmolive, 3M's Hutchinson Plant, and Bechtel National, Inc. were honored for their dedication to the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss through successful occupational hearing loss prevention practices. The awards were given out on February 24, 2012 at the Annual Hearing Conservation Conference in New Orleans.

"Since noise is everywhere, preventing its negative effects requires the integration of occupational safety and health protection with health promotion," said NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard. "NIOSH supports this concept, also called Total Worker Health, as the most effective approach to promote health. To effectively maintain healthy hearing, it is important for us to extend preventive initiatives outside the workplace, and this year’s recipients offer us compelling examples of this approach."

NIOSH estimates that between 5 and 30 million workers in the U.S. experience noise levels at work that put them at risk of hearing loss, with an another 9 million that may be at risk through exposure to chemicals that damage hearing. Help protect workers' hearing by using hearing-related safety products, including ear plugs and ear muffs, and implementing hearing loss prevention programs in your workplace.

Staying hydrated can help keep workers in construction, manufacturing, and other industries productive. Northern Safety offers the Gatorade® 2 1/2 Gallon Instant Powder Mix Variety Pack to reduce workplace dehydration and fatigue.

The Gatorade® 2 1/2 Gallon Instant Powder Mix Variety Pack includes 32 low-sodium Gatorade® packets featuring electrolytes that help employees battle dehydration. Employees need only mix a packet with 2 1/2 gallons of water for a quick, tasty drink that quenches any thirst. Flavors including fruit punch, grape-riptide rush, lemon-lime, and orange can help satisfy and rehydrate any hard-working employee.

Providing workers Gatorade® may help reduce the incidence of workplace injuries. Water represents at least half of a person's body weight, and dehydration can lead to heat stress. As a result, workplace productivity and safety can suffer. Offer employees the variety pack at locations where fresh water is available, or provide mixes beforehand where water is unavailable. It's easy to help workers avoid dehydration with a delicious beverage they can enjoy throughout the day.

Maintain a healthy workplace with the heat stress relief your workers need for hydration, energy, and safety - Gatorade® 2 1/2 Gallon Instant Powder Mix Variety Pack. 

A new study, released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), found that fallout from the 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant in Japan resulted in trace amounts in precipitation in the U.S. in about 20 percent of 167 sites analyzed.

The survey was conducted as part of the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP), and found levels were similar to those taken by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the days and weeks after the incident. Many sites studied were far from urban areas, giving a better representation of the American landscape as a whole.

"Japan's unfortunate nuclear nightmare provides a rare opportunity for U.S. scientists to test an infrequently needed national capability for detecting and monitoring nuclear fallout over a wide network," explained USGS director Marcia McNutt. "Had this been a national incident, NADP would have revealed the spatial and temporal patterns of radioactive contamination in order to help protect people and the environment."

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), radiation exposure can pose considerable health risks to workers. Prevent the risk of radiation exposure by using the appropriate safety products, such as turn-out gear, self-contained breathing apparatuses, and other personal protective equipment.  

Companies can provide a sense of freedom of movement for greater productivity while protecting employees with the 20' Contractor SRL Web Self-Retracting Lifeline from Northern Safety. 

The NS® 20' Contractor 20' SRL Web Self-Retracting Lifeline is just 4 lbs. and complies with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, offering an ideal option for fall protection. This SRL features a unique brake mechanism to enhance safety by limiting fall arrest forces to 750 lbs and keeping deceleration distances under 30" when the clear-fall distance is limited

The lightweight alloy steel frame and and ABS nylon composite housing ensure durability, while strong Dyneema webbing resists cuts and abrasions. In addition, this web lifeline includes a load-indicating swivel carabiner, with a 3,600 lb. gate strength, that attaches easily to a harness' back D-ring.

Reduce fall protection concerns during construction projects with the NS® 20' Contractor SRL Web Self-Retracting Lifeline.

On February 21, 2012, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that 142 small businesses from around the country have begun work on new research projects that will increase the use of green energy, such as better wind turbines, chemical-free ways to kill bacteria in power plant cooling water, and improving gas turbines.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is providing grants totaling $26.4 million to the small businesses, which it says will create jobs and new projects in America and boost the country's global competitiveness.

"These small businesses are working to develop new technologies to bring to the marketplace, creating new jobs and potentially new industries here in America," said Secretary Chu.  "As part of the Obama Administration’s Startup America Initiative, these innovative small businesses are helping the Department improve America’s energy security, grow our economy, and ensure U.S. companies can compete in the global economy." 

The development of more green projects, such as wind turbine installations, will likely come with more exposure to green job hazards. Falls, confined spaces, electrical, fire and other similar hazards may be present in these projects.

Ensure worker safety by providing appropriate safety products, such as fall protection, electric-shock resistant hard hats, and work gloves, to employees.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released the final health assessment for tetrachloroethylene (perc) to its Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database.

Perc is most often used in the dry cleaning industry, but is also often found in the cleaning of metal machinery and can be used by factory workers to manufacture consumer goods and other chemicals. The assessment confirms what has long been thought - that perc is a "likely human carcinogen."

"The perc health assessment released today will provide valuable information to help protect people and communities from exposure to perc in soil, water and air," said Paul Anastas, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development, in a statement on February 10, 2012. "This assessment emphasizes the value of the IRIS database in providing strong science to support government officials as they make decisions to protect the health of the American people."

The health assessment includes information on the cancerous effects of perc for the first time and replaces the 1988 IRIS assessment.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires workers who may be exposed to perc be equipped with the appropriate safety products to reduce the risk of its adverse health effects.

Personal protective equipment, including aprons, work gloves, and goggles should be worn, while respirators with organic vapors cartridges must be used when elevated perc exposures are anticipated. 

Many cities, towns, and businesses use stanchions to keep pedestrians safe as they walk near hazardous areas. Safety equipment like Plastic Chain for Crowd Control Stanchions helps to guide workers and others away from possible dangers. 

Plastic Chain for Crowd Control Stanchions makes it easy to direct crowds of any size. Companies can use the chains to mark crowd, traffic, and equipment barriers.

Bright colors maximize visibility to control large groups and manage foot traffic in any area, including limiting access to displays, setting up a border, creating lines for crowd flow in arenas, and separating recently cleaned areas that have wet floors. It's lightweight, portable design offers flexibility by allowing workers to carry the chain to different locations and it's rust, fade, and weather resistant for indoor and outdoor use.

Providing safety equipment such as plastic chain for stanchions simplifies the safety planning process for construction sites, stadiums, trade shows, and other events where designating areas of safe passage is important.

Manage large groups securely and effectively with Plastic Chain for Crowd Control Stanchions from Northern Safety.

Employers in construction, demolition, mining, and other industries face a challenge keeping employees safe in hazardous workplaces. Northern Safety provides the MSA V-Gard® Hard Hat with Fas-Trac® Ratchet Suspension to help manage workplace risks and help prevent on the job injuries.

The MSA V-Gard® Hard Hat with Fas-Trac® Ratchet Suspension features a quick, easy-to-adjust 4-point Fast-Trac ratchet suspension to provide employees with comfortable, safe headwear. The hard hard offers comfort with an absorbent sweatband, nape strap, and adjustable crown straps. The durable hard hat easily adjusts to fit any employee and complies with ANSI Z89.1, Type I, Class E and G standards.

Give workers the peace of mind they need to complete the task at hand with safety products that enhance workplace protection. The lightweight, high-density polyethylene shell ensures durability and protects workers as they complete projects in hazardous conditions. In addition, the slotted hard hat allows employees to take safety a step further, offering welding helmet, faceshield, and ear muff compatibility.

Combat head injury hazards with the MSA V-Gard® Hard Hat with Fas-Trac® Ratchet Suspension.

Accidents and injuries can occur at any time in a workplace, and employers can stay prepared with the First Aid Only™ Bloodborne Pathogen Personal Protection Kit with CPR Pack. This first aid package offers the safety tools and supplies necessary to help administer CPR and clean up a biological hazard with ease.

Many workplaces have safety procedures they can use to handle accident and injury situations, and the First Aid Only™ Bloodborne Pathogen Personal Protection Kit with CPR Pack can provide additional assistance. The kit contains 28 pieces, including disposable shoe covers, exam quality gloves, and germicidal wipes to help employees complete a fast, safe cleanup. In addition, users can take advantage of the kit's portable plastic case to carry it to the site of any work injury or accident.

The personal protection kit features a CPR pack that allows people to provide injury or accident treatment. Employees can be exposed to biohazards at the site of any accident or injury, and this first aid kit protects both workers and responders.

Provide employees with a one-stop resource to handle CPR and biohazards with the First Aid Only™ Bloodborne Pathogen Personal Protection Kit with CPR Pack.

Workers on busy roads and highways, construction sites, loading docks, and in any environment with moving heavy equipment or traffic need protection they can wear to stay safe and visible. The NS® Hi-Vis Class 2 Breathable Mesh Safety Vest delivers a comfortable safety option.

The NS® Hi-Vis Class 2 Breathable Mesh Safety Vest can be worn comfortably by most workers. The polyester knit mesh vest features a generous fit design and a hook-and-loop front closure. The vest provides bright hi-vis fluorescent colors, in a choice of orange or lime, and 2 inch 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material for exceptional daytime and nighttime visibility in high-traffic areas. These first-class safety products can be washed up to 25 times without losing visibility or brightness.

This traffic safety vest complies with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 107-2004 standards for high-visibility safety apparel. The gear's reflective material stripes allow motorists to see workers in any conditions, while the product's breathable mesh offers a lightweight, comfortable fit. Employers can reduce high-traffic area employees' risks with this affordable vest.

Enhance employee safety and visibility at any workplace or worksite with the NS® Hi-Vis Class 2 Breathable Mesh Safety Vest.

A milestone agreement between the U.S. and Mexican governments will allow 1.5 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico to be opened for oil and gas extraction.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed the agreement alongside Mexican officials, providing clarity on development of transboundary resources in the Gulf. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) estimates the region holds some 172 million barrels of oil and 304 billion cubic feet of natural gas.

"The Obama administration is committed to the responsible expansion of domestic energy production," Salazar said in a statement. "This agreement makes available promising areas in the resource-rich Gulf of Mexico and establishes a clear process by which both governments can provide the necessary oversight to ensure exploration and development activities are conducted safely."

The agreement ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations with joint inspection teams from the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the Mexican government. Plans will be reviewed and additional requirements could be set before development can begin.

As more exploration and drilling projects begin in the Gulf, workers will need industry-specific safety products, as well as general industry products like hard hats, work gloves, and safety glasses.

Hearing protection keeps employees safe from loud noises in the workplace or at the worksite, and superior protection comes in the form of products like the NS® Soft Fit® Plus Disposable Uncorded Foam Ear Plugs. Northern Safety offers the best safety equipment to protect your employees' hearing in any work environment.

NS® Soft Fit® Plus Disposable Uncorded Foam Ear Plugs provide excellent hearing protection, giving employees non-allergenic foam protection suitable for all-day wear. The plugs are tapered for easy insertion and removal, featuring an extra-soft exterior to fit comfortably in any ear. Use these ear plugs to protect employees while providing a disposable, uncorded option that helps you comply with hearing protection regulations.

The NRR 32dB delivers a high level of protection in noisy environments, and the ear plugs' bright color makes compliance checks easy. Businesses can monitor workers' ear safety quickly and easily with these disposable ear plugs from Northern Safety.

Reduce employee hearing concerns and provide comfortable safety products that workers will be happy to wear with NS® Soft Fit® Plus Disposable Uncorded Foam Ear Plugs.

During President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, he announced that "millions of new acres for oil and gas exploration" had been opened, and included a directive to his administration "to open more than 75 percent of our potential offshore oil and gas resources."

Obama stated that American oil production is at its highest level in eight years, and that last year, America relied less on foreign oil than it had in any of the last 16 years. Still, he noted, America has only 2 percent of the world's oil reserves, and needs to create a strategy to develop every source of American energy available.

With a supply of natural gas that could last America nearly 100 years, Obama stated his administration will "take every possible action" to ensure these resources are not only developed, but developed safely. Experts believe more than 600,000 jobs for Americans could be created in the coming decade.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states that the oil and gas extraction sector has an annual fatality rate of 30 per 100,000 workers, about eight times greater than the rate for all U.S. workers. With so many potential jobs in the industry, provide appropriate safety products, including hard hats, fall protection, and work gloves to help keep workers safe.

On Thursday, February 16, 2012, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood announced the first-ever federally proposed guidelines to urge car makers to design vehicles with the risk of distraction from electronic devices in mind. The move could prevent the installation of "excessively distracting devices" and enhance safety for drivers, pedestrians, and roadway workers.

The new guidelines would be voluntary, and would apply to communications, entertainment, information gathering, and navigation devices that are not required to safely operate a vehicle.

Written by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) division of the DOT, the guidelines would create specific recommended criteria for electronic devices that are installed in vehicles and require drivers to visually or manually operate them.

"Distracted driving is a dangerous and deadly habit on America’s roadways – that’s why I’ve made it a priority to encourage people to stay focused behind the wheel," said Secretary LaHood. "These guidelines are a major step forward in identifying real solutions to tackle the issue of distracted driving for drivers of all ages."

After performing extensive studies, NSHTA says it considers some tasks performed by drivers to be unsafe and should be locked out when the car is in motion. The list of "per se" lockouts includes displaying photographic moving visual images that are not related to driving, automatically scrolling text, manually entering information, and reading more than 30 characters of visually presented text.

The guidance was proposed to keep roadways safe for all, including highway workers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drivers encounter many distractions while in highway work zones, such as signs, barrels, and abrupt lane changes. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that crashes in work zones led to the death of 103 workers in 2010. Highway workers can reduce the risk of injury or death by wearing appropriate safety equipment, such as high-visibility safety vests.

On February 13, 2012, the Obama Administration released a proposed budget of $8.344 billion for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which will be used to continue to ensure environmental and human health protections.

"This budget is focused on fulfilling EPA’s core mission to protect health and the environment for millions of American families," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "It demonstrates fiscal responsibility, while still supporting clean air, healthy waters, and innovative safeguards that are essential to an America built to last."

The proposal includes $755 million in funding for the Superfund Cleanup initiative, which was developed to support cleanup efforts at hazardous waste sites that address emergencies at some of the nation's most highly prioritized cleanup sites.

The budget also provides $576 million to continue research and innovation in areas such as hydraulic fracturing, potential endocrine disruptors, and green infrastructure.

Hazardous waste cleanup can potentially put response workers in danger. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has several standards regarding the issue, which require all workers wear safety products that can include respiratory protection, safety glasses, and protective clothing. 

Manufacturers in New York expanded in February at the quickest speed since June 2010, indicating the industry is putting more Americans to work in factories, and manufacturing is continuing to lead the recovery.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey showed manufacturing in New York State rose for the third consecutive month, rising six points to 19.5, the highest level in more than a year. Other readings from the index show continued expansion in shipments and employment growth, and generally more plans for capital spending.

In their 2012 spending plans, 46 percent of manufacturers say they plan to spend more than they did in 2011, while only 25 percent say they plan to spend less. Likely expenses will include structures, computers, related hardware, and software.

Because the index typically moves parallel with manufacturing employment, manufacturing jobs are also on the rise.

As more Americans find work in factories, employers will need to ensure they are following the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) regulations on the use of appropriate safety products , including hard hats, safety glasses, and work gloves. 

Although some items were financially cut, the budget proposal for fiscal year 2013 that was presented to Congress on February 13, 2012, includes millions of dollars to improve the health and safety of U.S. workers.

The proposed budget includes $16.9 million that will be used to reduce a large case backlog at the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (FMSHRC). The Department of Labor (DOL), which submitted the budget, requested a total of $12 billion in discretionary funding to run programs including education and employment efforts that help veterans transition into civilian jobs, and job retention and training programs for the unemployed, disadvantaged youths, vulnerable communities, and dislocated workers.

"The Labor Department's fiscal year 2013 budget request reflects our commitment to supporting an American economy that's built to last," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Our budget request focuses on programs that will help keep America's workforce strong and innovative, while providing needed worker protections."

As more Americans complete these programs and enter the workforce, training and the appropriate safety products, such as hard hats, safety glasses, and work gloves will help ensure their health and safety.

On February 15, 2012, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a six-month extension for its temporary enforcement measures in residential construction.

The measures have been extended through September 15, 2012. During this time, OSHA will continue to place a high priority on compliance assistance for residential fall protection, including increased outreach and penalty reductions to help employers understand and comply with the new standards. OSHA Compliance Assistance Specialists (CASs) are responding promptly to requests for on-site assistance.

The extension of the temporary measures also includes abatement extension dates and consistency measures.

"Over the past year, OSHA has worked closely with the industry, conducting over 1,000 outreach sessions nationwide to assist employers in complying with the new directive," OSHA said in a statement. "OSHA will continue to work with employers to ensure a clear understanding of, and to facilitate compliance with, the new policy."

OSHA provides several resources that help employers ensure compliance. Easy-to-read fact sheets, PowerPoint presentations, and other materials written specifically for fall protection in residential construction are readily available at OSHA's Fall Protection in Residential Construction page. 

On Monday, February 13, 2012, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation had been given a budget of $74 billion, which will be used to create the framework for economic growth and competitiveness through infrastructure network investments, enhanced safety, and a modernized transportation system.

"President Obama’s budget for the Department of Transportation reflects our commitment to investing in an America that is built to last," said LaHood.  "A strong American economy depends on the roadways, runways, and railways that move people and goods from coast to coast and around the globe."

At the heart of the fiscal 2013 budget is a six-year $476 billion project that aims to improve highways and transit networks across the country, working to ensure the safety of travelers and providing them with more options for transportation.

With these funds, many new roadway construction and maintenance projects will begin, increasing the chances for injuries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a preliminary total shows 103 fatalities in work zones occurred in 2010. That year, transportation incidents accounted for 72 percent of roadway work zone fatal occupational injuries.

Roadway workers can help prevent injuries by wearing safety products required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which include high-visibility vests, work gloves and hard hats. 

Northern Safety, a leading distributor of personal protective equipment and safety supplies, recently unveiled a new search system that will greatly enhance the way you browse, find, and select the exact safety products you need. The new features allow the use of refinements to drill down in search results to individual products. 

The new search system allows you to quickly find exactly what you're looking for on the first try. Browsing through all product information, you will see results in a much higher relevance while searching, compared to searching only designated keywords.

The addition of auto-complete offers suggestions to search for by completing phrases typed into the search bar. For example, if you type in "hard hat," you will see other popular searches in a list, such as "bullard hard hat" or "full brim hard hat." The new "did you mean?" feature boosts accuracy of results by automatically redirecting searches with common misspellings or non exact terms.

Searches can be refined more than ever by narrowing search results and selecting various characteristics of products, such as color, price, brand, category, size, material, and many more details.

By introducing the new search system, Northern Safety has shown its commitment to providing a hassle-free safety product purchasing experience. These additions help guide you to products you're looking for faster and easier than ever.

Industrial work environments often involve a variety of machines that create loud-volume noises throughout the day. Employers can offer safety products ideal for employees exposed to continuous or loud noises in the workplace in the form of Howard Leight MAX® USA Disposable Corded Foam Ear Plugs.

Businesses can pull the plug on noise concerns with safety products that combine comfort and reliability. The Howard Leight MAX® USA Disposable Corded Foam Ear Plugs feature a soft feel and corded design, allowing workers to wear them comfortably throughout their work day. A contoured, bell-shape design makes it easy for employees to insert the ear plugs, while reducing the risk of them falling from the ear during a shift. Workers can wear the cushioned, polyurethane foam products all day, and still remain comfortable.

Every year, companies spend hundreds of dollars on workers' compensation for hearing loss disability. Businesses and individuals will receive substantial benefits using safety supplies like Howard Leight ear plugs in the workplace to help reduce the risk of harmful hearing effects that  can lead to medical expenses and lowered productivity.

Eliminate the effects of hearing loss on the job with Howard Leight MAX® USA Disposable Corded Foam Ear Plugs.

Drivers face the challenge of staying safe as they operate trucks, tractors, and other types of heavy machinery. That's why Northern Safety offers NS® Premium Pigskin Grain Leather Driver's Gloves - excellent protection for workers featuring soft grain leather with resistance to moisture and abrasion.

The NS® Premium Pigskin Grain Leather Driver's Gloves deliver a snug fit thanks to their shirred elastic back. The gloves also include a seamless back, gunn cut, and wing thumb to give workers maximum dexterity while on the road. Breathable leather maximizes comfort, offering drivers flexible handwear that dries to its original softness after being wet.

Hand injuries remain a problem in the trucking and heavy equipment industries, as workers often risk cuts, nicks, and abrasions. Provide workers with hand protection training and highly durable, protective work gloves.

Ensure comfort and worker acceptance with premium pigskin driver's gloves today to enhance productivity and ensure safety for your workers.

Looking for a soft yet durable knit glove for construction, maintenance, material handling, or manufacturing? Look no further than NS® Ruf-flex® Lite Blue Rubber Coated Nylon String Knit Gloves, ideal hand protection for the industrial or outdoor worker exposed to common workplace hazards.

Ruf-flex® Lite Blue Rubber Coated Nylon String Knit Gloves feature a textured rubber palm coating that gives workers excellent grip and abrasion resistance, allowing them to complete their work in almost any condition. The gloves offer flexibility and comfort with a soft, light nylon string-knit shell. The knit cuffs and seamless, open back design ensure a perfect fit and provide air flow and breathability to workers.

Workers in the assembly, material handling, landscaping, fabrication, and maintenance industries can especially benefit from the protection these work gloves have to offer. Employers can purchase the ergonomically designed hand protection to give workers the ability to operate safely in any work environment.

Buy these low-cost, highly durable safety gloves so that your employees can handle objects and machinery with ease and assurance in the workplace and at the worksite.

Eye protection is necessary in the construction and manufacturing industries, where workers and guests can be exposed to a variety of eye hazards. Northern Safety offers a sleek, comfortable option for visitors with its N-Specs® Visitor Sport Safety Glasses.

N-Specs® Visitor Sport Safety Glasses with Clear Anti-Fog Lens combine versatility and style. They can be worn in different areas while protecting workers' eyes from harmful UV rays. N-Specs' clear anti-fog lenses provide wearers with superior eye protection in a variety of conditions. The spectacles feature a durable, impact-resistant polycarbonate lens designed for active individuals, and the high quality construction complies with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. These safety glasses benefit employers with an economical price and guests with a well-designed safety option that keeps them protected while visiting.

Visitor Sport Safety Glasses deliver a total package, combining safe lenses with a fashionable design. Employers can purchase these safety glasses to protect their clients, customers, or sales people on tour, offering a stylish option for reducing eye injury concerns.

Provide visitors with reliable eye protection in any environment with N-Specs® Visitor Sport Safety Glasses from Northern Safety.

Take a proactive approach to maintaining workplace health and safety by providing FlexShield® 5 Mil Powder-Free 9.5" Disposable Nitrile Gloves that offer workers ideal hand protection in laboratory, assembly line, and industrial settings.

FlexShield® 5 Mil Powder-Free 9.5" Disposable Nitrile Gloves feature 100 percent nitrile construction, eliminating the risk of a latex allergy reaction. Employees will be able to keep a strong grip thanks to the gloves' textured fingertips, which allow workers to handle wet or dry objects with ease. These safety gloves are manufactured in an ISO 9002 Registered facility and made with FDA-accepted materials. They are powder-free and more resistant to punctures than natural rubber or vinyl disposable gloves.

FlexShield® Nitrile gloves conform to workers' hands, come in multiple sizes to fit most workers, and provide a snug fit that will enhance their daily work. Rolled cuffs add extra durability and also make them easier to put on and take off.

Offer these work gloves to employees to maintain quality, health, and safety standards in your workplace.

Many companies need respirators to ensure employee safety. The North® by Honeywell P100 particulate respirator cartridges provide excellent protection and are designed for use with North® by Honeywell 7600 and 5400 series full facepiece respirators, and 7700 series silicone and 5500 series low maintenance respirators.

These P100 cartridges are quick and easy to mount and provide 99.97 percent efficiency against solid or liquid particles, including oil-based particles. North® by Honeywell P100 Particulate Respirator Cartridges are approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) when used with the 5400, 5500, 7600, and 7700 series respirators.

Companies can use safety products such as respirators to reduce the risk of exposing employees to dangerous breathing conditions in a variety of environments. Stock up today on North® by Honeywell P100 particulate respirator cartridges to keep employees on the job and safe from dangerous solid and liquid particles in the air. 

Northern Safety is excited to announce its 2012 line of Bullard® Tritan™ Clear Face Protection Visors to reduce face and eye-related injuries in workplaces across the country.

Bullard® Tritan™ Clear Face Protection Visors feature faceshields designed to resist impact, shattering, chemicals, and high temperatures, ensuring the safety of refinery and laboratory workers, metal workers, and more. These visors offer a unique faceshield composition, which is BPA- and EA-free, and are suitable for use in many work environments.

These innovative faceshields are constructed from Tritan copolyester to be chemical- and impact-resistant, they provide double the protection in a single visor. Keep your employees protected from serious injuries including cuts, lacerations, and chemical burns by providing them with these state-of-the-art safety products.

Tritan™ visors comply with ANSI Z87.1 standards for faceshields when used with a Bullard® hard hat bracket or headgear, and when worn with ANSI compliant safety  glasses, meet OSHA regulations.

Visors offer businesses a reliable way to enhance workplace safety. Provide workers with Bullard® Tritan™ visors to reduce the number of facial and eye injuries at your workplace today.

Northern Safety is excited to offer the durable and stylish line of Edge™ safety glasses in 2012. These comfortable, versatile eyeglasses come in two different styles, with a variety of lenses to suit any employee's tastes while delivering protection from common workplace hazards.

Employers can provide Edge™ safety eyewear to reduce workplace injury risks and give workers a modern, sporty look they will appreciate. The Dakura glasses offer a cool wraparound frame that includes soft pliable rubber temples for fitted, no-slip wear. Dakura lenses are coated to resist scratches and are available in clear, clear anti-fog, clear anti-reflective, polarized, and smoke. Additional lens tints include amber and yellow. Mirrored lenses are available in rose, silver, or blue. Aqua Precision blue mirrored polarized lenses help block reflected light from below and glare from above, maximizing clarity and eliminating glare.

Reclus eyewear features a lightweight, nylon frame with a soft nosepiece to fit any worker without slipping. Lenses are available in a variety of tints and colors, including clear anti-reflective, smoke, polarized gradient, blue light filter copper driving, and blue or silver mirrored. The Reclus is also available with red mirrored Aqua Precision lenses that block infrared light and reduce excess red and blue light from the opposite ends of the spectrum for great contrast and clarity in bright light conditions.

All Edge™ Dakura and Reclus glasses have been designed to comply with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards, offering an ideal safety option for employers across the country.

Edge™ safety glasses can protect workers and help them maintain focus on their work.

Keep employees seeing clearly and safely with Edge™ safety glasses.

Northern Safety offers a wide selection of safety products for a variety of industries, and NS® Premium Weight Brown Jersey Work Gloves give employers across the country a useful protective product for almost any line of work. Providing workers with high-quality safety gloves helps businesses in maintenance, agriculture, and material handling operations keep employees safe.

With many types of gloves available, NS® Premium Weight Brown Jersey Work  Gloves - Standard Size stand apart from the rest thanks to their reliable durability and dexterity. Employers can purchase these gloves to ensure worker safety while keeping costs low.

Employees can take advantage of the gloves' versatility to work both indoors and out. The cotton jersey gloves offer versatility and flexibility along with a clute-cut glove pattern to ensure comfort. The knitwrist provides a secure and comfortable fit that helps keep out dirt and debris. These work gloves provide employers with an affordable safety product that protects workers' hands.

Give employees a reliable pair of work gloves from Northern Safety to reduce incidents of injury and ensure a strong working team.

On Wednesday, February 8, 2012, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood visited Sacramento, California, to promote President Barack Obama's vision for a high-speed rail in the state.

LaHood discussed with suppliers how they can maximize the economic impact of almost $800 million in American-made next generation trains that will be purchased or built this year.

"California’s investments in high-speed rail are creating jobs for American workers today and building a strong foundation for California’s economic future," said Secretary LaHood. "This is exactly what President Obama was talking about when he laid out his blueprint for an economy that’s built to last."

Building the rail line would mean a number of new jobs in the construction and manufacturing industries. By the second half of 2012, the California High-Speed Rail Authority hopes to begin construction on the first 130-mile stretch of rail in the state's Central Valley. The first phase will cost about $6 billion.

To protect workers from the hazards present in the manufacturing of rail supplies and in the construction of the high-speed rail, provide them with the appropriate safety products and follow standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

On February 7, 2012, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced there were 3.4 million job openings across the country in December, up from 3.1 million the previous month.

The numbers mark a continued upward trend since the U.S. began its slow climb out of the recession in June 2009. Although the number of job openings in December was still below the 4.4 million openings that were reported before the recession took hold in 2007, it has increased 39 percent since June 2009.

In the construction industry, there were 71,000 job openings in December 2011, compared to 44,000 in the same month the year before. Manufacturing job openings increased from 242,000 in November to 264,000 in December, compared to the 184,000 manufacturing industry job openings in December 2010.

As more jobs become available in industries such as construction and manufacturing, more workers will be regularly exposed to large equipment, loud machines, and other safety hazards. Equip new hires with safety products, such as work gloves, ear plugs, and safety glasses, when working near occupational hazards.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized two facilities of the Department of Defense (DoD) with the Energy Star Combined Heat and Power (CHP) award.

The honor was presented to the facilities for their achievement in taking an efficient, clean, and reliable approach to deriving thermal energy and power from one source. By implementing CHP technology, the award winners showed leadership and devotion to the protection of the environment and people's health, while saving an estimated $6.8 million per year.

“I congratulate these military bases for leading by example in the efforts to reduce pollution, improve energy efficiency, and cut energy costs,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “These advanced CHP systems give us reliable, clean and cost cutting ways to keep our military bases powered and our environment protected.”

The EPA's award is demonstrative of the focus the U.S. is placing on green initiatives. As more begin to unfold, employers will need to help ensure the safety of workers in green jobs by providing them with the appropriate safety products, such as hard hats, work gloves, and safety glasses.

High-visibility protective vests are required for right-of-way workers, flaggers, and adult crossing guards by standards in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) uses as a basis for their regulations.

These garments must be compliant with ANSI/ISEA 107, the American National Standard for High-Visibility Public Safety Vests.

The revision to the MUTCD in 2009 requires public safety vests to be labeled as compliant with the 2006 standard, or any further changes to the version. ANSI approved the revision in 2011, leading the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) to seek an interpretation from the FHWA that safety equipment vests meeting the new standard would be acceptable.

ISEA claimed that the requirements of the two standards for daytime and nighttime visibility lacked any major difference.

FHWA agreed with ISEA, and has released an official interpretation that the ANSI/ISEA 207-2011 standard is equivalent to the 2006 version, and that garments labeled to meet the 2011 standard are also in compliance with MUTCD requirements.

Hand protection is important, as workers subject their hands to many types of rough conditions. That's why companies appreciate safety products like NS® Insulated Pigskin Leather Work Gloves with Knitwrist. Using these gloves helps workers keep their hands warm and maintain productivity.

The NS® Insulated Pigskin Leather Work Gloves with Knitwrist are the ultimate choice for workers seeking both comfort and functionality, and this quality hand protection can help keep workers safe in cold temperatures. Breathable, abrasion resistant pigskin leather dries soft and ready-to-wear without shrinking or stiffening, and these gunn pattern gloves include a shirred cotton back for a better fit. The soft knitwrists help keep out cold air, dirt, and debris.

These work gloves have a soft jersey insulation lining to keeps hands warm and dry, while the full leather palm, index finger, fingertips, and knuckle strap help reduce hand injuries. 

Prepare for the worst by purchasing the best - a pair of NS® Insulated Pigskin Work Gloves with Knitwrist.