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	Heading off health hazards : Guidelines for working injury free By: Derek Baker Use caution when removing PPE or touching your face and eyes as these are the leading cause of foreign body eye injuries. Welding,... Publish date: March 1, 2010
	A breath of fresh air - Taking a look at in-plant filtration systems : Taking a look at in-plant filtration systems By: Wayne Bonham, Contributing Writer Plant managers no longer question whether to use an in-plant air filtration system. Rather, they ask what type of system to use. Multiple... Publish date: November 15, 2001
	Love your gloves : Everything you wanted to know (but never asked) about welding gloves By: Amanda Carlson To get the best results from your welding gloves, it is imperative to match your process with the appropriate materials. For many welders,... Publish date: January 14, 2010
	Tracking injuries : Why it�s important By: Kelly Langdon, Contributing Writer About 10 years ago I inherited our company's safety program. What a sobering moment that was for me as I found myself mentally grappling with... Publish date: November 10, 2009
	Recessions and industrial safety—enemies? By: Kelly Langdon, Contributing Writer It was early in 2008 when I first realized we were headed for tough economic times in manufacturing. Aeroglide, the company I work for, was... Publish date: July 14, 2009
	Venting on the subject of clean shop air : If your company plasma or laser cuts, take a long, hard look at its ventilation practices By: Pat Gilmour For a ventilation system connected to a thermal cutting machine to function properly, it is best that the equipment is placed away from open... Publish date: June 29, 2009
	Fumes + Weld students = Bad news : Vocational school cleans up air for thriving weld program If an image is not displayed, click the hyperlinked figure number to view it. Keeping students safe and healthy became a top priority for... Publish date: March 14, 2009
	Safeguarding against robotic welding hazards : Ensuring worker protection in a robotic weld setting By: Mike Carlson Robotic welding allows for high throughput and overall production efficiency as well as improved worker safety. Yet without the proper... Publish date: February 10, 2009
	Safety update : OSHA announces fit-test procedures By: Shannon DeCamp Fabricators may be required to use respirators to protect themselves from inhaling fumes, particles, or dust when performing cutting, grinding,... Publish date: October 28, 2008
	Steady as she goes : Stability, visibility crucial in preventing industrial truck overturns, collisions Editor's Note: The information in this article came from three sources: Combilift USA; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health... Publish date: October 14, 2008
	Building relationships, ensuring safety By: Kelly Langdon, Contributing Writer I study business principles in an effort to understand which principles seem to work in which industries. Costco is an example of a company... Publish date: August 12, 2008
	Preventing torch fires in welding and cutting operations : Following five safety tips can reduce hot-work dangers By: Michael Bishop, Contributing Writer Sparks from welding and cutting torches can easily ignite structural members and insulation, as well as combustible gases and liquids. Photo... Publish date: July 15, 2008
	Clothes before woes : How to dress safely for welding By: Tom Kijewski Durable jackets and pants, steel-toe boots, a helmet with full facial protection, impact-resistant eyewear, and a good pair of protective... Publish date: May 13, 2008
	What not to leave at work By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager You may have heard the admonition to leave work at work and not take your job duties or concerns home. That's good advice, especially if you... Publish date: May 13, 2008
	Predicting and preventing workplace accidents By: Kelly Langdon, Contributing Writer Over the past eight years I have become somewhat obsessed with the idea of being able to predict accidents that might occur in my company's... Publish date: April 15, 2008
	Cleaning the air, boosting morale : Automotive stamper integrates welding capabilities, stresses employee health An aggressive approach to health and safety and an equally uncompromising approach to air filtration at the E&E Manufacturing Plant in... Publish date: March 11, 2008
	Welding helmets in view : Five welding helmets, five sets of capabilities Lincoln Electric's VISTA Choosing the right welding helmet is not as easy as it once was. Technology advances have turned these once simple... Publish date: January 15, 2008
	Revisions to respiratory protection : Answering 6 common questions can help in selecting the right respirator By: Shannon DeCamp Photo courtesy of 3M. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently made some changes to its Respiratory Protection... Publish date: November 6, 2007
	Why doesn't my fume extraction work? By: RoboVent Many welding manufacturers today have experienced a great disappointment with fume extraction systems for their welding processes. Often this... Publish date: August 8, 2007
	Maximize comfort with the lightweight Speedglas SL welding helmet By: 3M 3M's new Speedglas™ Super Light (SL) Welding Helmet and Auto-Darkening Filter (ADF) set a new standard for comfort and lightweight. The... Publish date: August 8, 2007
	Examining respiratory safety : What three companies are doing to protect their welders By: Amanda Carlson, Associate Editor Welders from JH Kelly, Total Fab LLC, and P&H Mining said that they feel more refreshed after using breathing apparatuses, similar to this one,... Publish date: September 11, 2007
	Giving the nod : Wearing a welding helmet doesn�t have to be a pain in the neck By: Tom Sommers Even when not darkened, the lens of the helmet protects against ultraviolet and infrared light emissions. Autodarkening helmets have... Publish date: September 11, 2007
	The invisible risks of welding : Ensure healthy living tomorrow with safe welding practices today By: Michael Ladd The world is full of 60-year-olds who regret not protecting their health when they were younger. And so it is with welders. It's... Publish date: July 10, 2007
	It's the small things : Addressing areas that might be overlooked in safety programs By: Kelly Langdon, Contributing Writer Have you ever noticed in life that it's the collection of small things that determine our quality of life? This concept also can be applied... Publish date: June 26, 2007
	Last chance: Read the sign! By: Russ Butchko, Contributing Writer Figure 1 Are we thinking of summer vacation yet? Long-distance travel, road trips? In our preparation check list, we make sure the car... Publish date: May 22, 2007
	New OSHA hexavalent chromium standards : Questions and Answers By: The 3M Occupational Health and Environmental Safety Division Note: On Feb. 28, 2006, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published the final hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) standard. The... Publish date: May 8, 2007
	Breathing easy : Furniture manufacturer installs upgraded fume extraction system Being in the health care business, Carroll Healthcare Inc. supports the long-term health needs of patients. It's now doing the same for its... Publish date: May 8, 2007
	Locking in safety : Understanding and implementing OSHA-approved safety measures By: Shannon DeCamp Last year the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued more than $750,000 in citations to the metal fabrication industry for... Publish date: March 13, 2007
	Interlocks as machine safety devices : Multiple configurations, types, and approaches U.S. and abroad By: Gary M. Hutter, P.E. C.S.P., Contributing Writer An interlock can be defined as a device that prevents you from making an inappropriate maneuver, or adjusts the system to a safe state if you... Publish date: March 13, 2007
	Benefits of autodarkening helmets come to light : Personal safety equipment makes a difference in welding efficiency By: Derek Baker In 1981 H�rnell, now part of 3M, commercialized its first autodarkening filter for a welding helment. Twenty-five years later autodarkening... Publish date: January 9, 2007
	New rule, new equipment : Fabricators and manufacturers move toward Cr(VI) standard compliance By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer A magazine article made Greg Faulkner think about improving welding ventilation at his workplace last year. Faulkner, senior manufacturing... Publish date: November 7, 2006
	Welder health and safety — Who's responsible? By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Welding is a hazardous occupation. The Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)... Publish date: October 10, 2006
	Fuel your safety knowledge : Use old, new rules with oxyfuel By: John Uccellini, Contributing Writer The following is an oxyfuel safe practices overview that includes newer changes to the "dos and don'ts." The preliminary "do," of course,... Publish date: October 3, 2006
	How Safely Do You Weld? : 6 safety hazards to consider when welding By: Terry Byrd Safety must be designed into the job, whether it's welding a 100-mile pipeline, repairing a 100-foot length of pipe, or fabricating a... Publish date: September 13, 2006
	Keep on truckin' : Operating and maintaining a forklift truck safely By: Shannon DeCamp The use of fork trucks to handle and store materials and products efficiently is vital to the metal fabricating industry. Unfortunately,... Publish date: August 8, 2006
	Control risk with lockout/tagout : How to perform equipment maintenance safely By: Shari Falkenburg In March 2002 a California welder was asked by his supervisor to remove a jammed piece of metal from the hydraulic door of a scrap metal... Publish date: July 11, 2006
	Saving money by spending on safety : Machine guarding expenses pay off By: Ashley Hildreth Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires and enforces the use of proper safety devices, many companies... Publish date: June 13, 2006
	Stop pickin' up bad vibrations By: Mitch Burdick For years vibration overexposure has shortened many careers, causing irreversible damage to workers' nerves, muscles, bones, joints, and... Publish date: May 9, 2006
	OSHA's new hexavalent chromium standard : What it means to you and your employees By: Shannon DeCamp Photo courtesy of 3M Occupational Health & Environmental Safety Division, St. Paul, Minn. On Feb. 28 the Occupational Safety and... Publish date: May 9, 2006
	Emergency response—A critical component of workplace safety By: Kelly Langdon, Contributing Writer The Accident — Part I It was a Tuesday afternoon, only 11 days before Christmas Day. Aeroglide plant employees were busy wrapping up... Publish date: May 9, 2006
	Machine safeguarding with optoelectronic sensors : How to choose the most appropriate equipment By: Israel E. Alguindigue, Ph.D. When a metal forming machine is being designed, the potential safety risks must be analyzed and minimized. Some risks cannot be eliminated through... Publish date: February 7, 2006
	Don't fall down on the job : Requirements of a fall protection work plan Falls from elevated work surfaces continue to cause worker deaths and injuries at a high rate. In one year alone, falls caused five deaths... Publish date: January 10, 2006
	Ergonomic injuries and the workplace By: Ron Wood, SPHR, Contributing Writer Manual Stretch Wrapping Operation Photo courtesy of osha.gov In today's manufacturing environment, on-the-job injury-related costs... Publish date: December 13, 2005
	Taking one step at a time : Automotive parts manufacturer takes modular approach to growth RoboVent Floor Saver, a self-contained filtration system that mounts on top of a robotic welding workcell, helped Pridgeon & Clay execute... Publish date: November 8, 2005
	Safety Bingo By: Mark Paulson, Contributing Writer Editor's Note: Mark Paulson is chairman of the FMA/CNA Safety Committee, an organization devoted to improving safety in the metal... Publish date: November 8, 2005
	Don't let your health go up in smoke : Learn about and prevent the effects of welding fumes By: Clifford Frey Increasing knowledge about the health hazards associated with breathing welding fumes and gases above certain concentrations and the... Publish date: October 11, 2005
	Shipyard work safety — : Where to find what you need to know By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Shipyard work Image courtesy of www.osha.gov . With an accident and illness rate more than twice that of general construction and... Publish date: September 13, 2005
	Metal spinner takes on OSHA : Agency's heavy-handed tactics not appreciated By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief In early September 2004, a punch press operator for Dayton United Metal Spinners Inc. severed two fingertips while trying to set up the press when... Publish date: August 9, 2005
	Changing workplace raises safety and health questions By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Editor's Note: Much of the content for this article was taken from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) publication "... Publish date: July 12, 2005
	The most important welding lesson By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer Whether you're a professional welder with extensive training, a self-taught welding hobbyist, or a welder in-between, you must learn and... Publish date: July 12, 2005
	How sleep deprivation affects work performance By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2003 the average U.S. male slept 8.48 hours in a 24-hour period.... Publish date: June 14, 2005
	Electrical safety practices save lives By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Cord- and plug-connected equipment without a grounded connector Electricity improves life. During power failures, much work and many... Publish date: May 10, 2005
	A healthy alternative Editor's Note: This column was prepared by the staff of Winning Workplaces, a not-for-profit organization that helps small and midsized... Publish date: May 10, 2005
	Addressing behavior-based safety issues By: Cheryl Henderson, CSP, and Mike Westerbrook, Contributing Writers Figure 1 Courtesy of Shape Corp. Nearly every resource for successful safety performance touts the need for management support,... Publish date: April 11, 2005
	Carpal tunnel syndrome : A problem in both the factory and the office By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a musculoskeletal disorder, is the compression of the median nerve at the wrist, which can cause numbness,... Publish date: March 8, 2005
	Safety faux pas By: Steve D. Benson, Contributing Writer Figure 1 No Triggering Device Protection In the more than 25 years that I've been in the precision sheet metal trade, I have seen many... Publish date: February 8, 2005
	Tackling the costs of employer-provided health care : What manufacturers can do to help fix the system Health care is one of the biggest concerns of today's manufacturers. Polls and surveys of National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)... Publish date: January 11, 2005
	Pay Attention! To safety : How to eliminate boredom in safety training By: Gregory Gronbacher, Contributing Writer Those who conduct environmental, health, and safety training for welders and others in welding-related jobs face many challenges in... Publish date: November 9, 2004
	Can you give me some direction for finding information about developing and implementing a Safety/Loss Control program for my company? (this answer comes from Ron Wood, director of human resources for the ThermaSys Heat Transfer Corp., and member of the FMA/CNA safety committee.)... Publish date: August 14, 2003
	Does any welding shield manufacturer make a hood with earmuffs? This question generated a lot of phone callsand research. D'Ann Hamilton, one of FMA's Metal Authority's finest,discovered an Australian company,... Publish date: August 14, 2003
	Welding hazards affect nonwelders too : Keeping all workers safe By: Karen Hamel, Contributing Writer The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and several industry trade groups have published information focused on welders'... Publish date: October 12, 2004
	Preventing welding-related fires : You can�t be too careful By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager In 2002 in Irving, Texas, 1.4 percent of the city's residential fires and 10 percent of its commercial fires were welding-related. These... Publish date: October 12, 2004
	Infrared thermography—its role in maintenance and loss prevention By: Jerry Basta, Contributing Writer Unexpected production interruption is intolerable in today's business environment, in which little time or money is available for taking... Publish date: August 10, 2004
	In-running nip point hazards : Recognizing the danger and preventing injury By: David Withrow, Contributing Writer In-running nip points are frequent sites of injuries from machinery. Nip points exist where material enters a gradually narrowing opening, for... Publish date: July 13, 2004
	Safety makes good business sense : How business owners can improve safety and the bottom line By: Charlie McCarthy, Contributing Writer Editor's Note: Charlie McCarthy is a member of the FMA/CNA Safety Committee, an organization devoted to improving safety in the metal... Publish date: June 8, 2004
	Safeguarding machines with an ergonomic spin : The importance of human factors in indstrial safety standards By: Gary Hutter, P.E., Ph.D., Contributing Writer Figure 1 While the NSC publications provide generous guidance, two aspects they do not address fully are the application and implication... Publish date: June 8, 2004
	Working safely in busy times By: Mark Paulson, Contributing Writer Editor's Note: Mark Paulson is chairman of the FMA/CNA Safety Committee , an organization devoted to improving safety in the metal... Publish date: May 4, 2004
	Machine-guarding problems—one company's solution By: Cheryl Henderson, CSP, Contributing Writer Editor's Note: Safety expert Cheryl Henderson is a member of the FMA/CNA Safety Committee. Watch for other committee-authored articles in... Publish date: April 6, 2004
	Personality + Protection : Manufacturers say welders look for safety, character in helmets By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer For welders, it's more important than ever to do more—perform more processes, know more about metals, be familiar with more welding... Publish date: April 6, 2004
	Obesity—a problem for workers and employers By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Unless you have sworn off all media forms—which you haven't if you're reading this—you know that obesity has reached... Publish date: March 25, 2004
	Welding fume health hazards By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager In 2003 NIOSH published a comprehensive review of scientific literature on health effects associated with welding. The article, "Health... Publish date: March 11, 2004
	Gear up for welding By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer I'm sitting here at this computer realizing how much I hate sitting here at this computer. I'm just not a sit-in-a-chair type of guy. I... Publish date: March 11, 2004
	Emergency preparedness: A critical safety program component By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager The guy who works next to you suddenly sustains a serious injury or has a medical emergency. Do you know what to do? You are injured... Publish date: February 12, 2004
	Occupational injury and illness statistics : Where does your manufacturing job rank? By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Statistics also were reported for cases that resulted in days away from work, a job transfer, or restriction and are grouped in two... Publish date: January 29, 2004
	Respirator selection as a business decision : How to choose the right equipment for your welders By: Clifford Frey, Contributing Writer Several factors can help employers select a respirator that meets the required level of protection while having a positive business... Publish date: January 29, 2004
	Resolve to have a healthy, injury-free 2004 By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Begin With the Basics Achieving and maintaining good health is a lifelong endeavor. You've been taught the basics of good health... Publish date: January 13, 2004
	One system does not fit all : Ventilation equipment becomes more specific to improve the welding environment By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer Breathing is something that many of us take for granted. Most don't give it a second thought—you inhale, you exhale. That's about... Publish date: January 13, 2004
	Having a safe office party By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Editor's Note: Originally published on December 11, 2003. It's that time of year when companies celebrate the holidays. Whether the... Publish date: November 8, 2004
	Material handling safety By: Charlie McCarthy, Contributing Writer How the material or goods are unloaded or loaded is a key factor in reducing employee injuries. Persons involved in material handling... Publish date: October 23, 2003
	Take control of safety By: Justin Bruursema, Contributing Writer Often invisible to the human eyes, airborne contaminants can have serious consequences for your health. Be familiar with the... Publish date: October 23, 2003
	Promoting back safety—one company's approach By: Kelly Langdon, Contributing Writer Over the years, our midsize company, Aeroglide Corp., has used numerous methods to battle back injuries. We have tracked injuries in... Publish date: October 9, 2003
	Selecting the best lens for welders' eye protection By: Julie Copeland, Contributing Writer The Dangers of Ultraviolet and Infrared Light Radiant energy exposure, also called optical radiation, occurs with work applications that... Publish date: October 9, 2003
	Protecting yourself from gases and fumes : 10 tips for healthier lungs By: Jerold Jay, Contributing Writer Protecting yourself from fumes and gases often means overcoming objections. Some welders mistakenly argue that running a fan to blow smoke... Publish date: September 25, 2003
	Exposure to metalworking fluids By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager To make a very long story short, the Secretary of Labor signed a charter establishing a Standards Advisory Committee (SAC) to address the... Publish date: September 10, 2003
	Safety pays By: George Eberl, Contributing Writer Now more than ever, fabricators must believe that safety pays . It pays to make safety a high priority, to invest in safety training, and... Publish date: August 28, 2003
	Workplace stress—Part 2 By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager In his bestseller, Spontaneous Healing , Andrew Weil, M.D., wrote, "All illnesses should be assumed to be stress-related until proved... Publish date: August 14, 2003
	Workplace stress—Part 1 By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Among the many definitions of stress in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language is "A mentally or emotionally... Publish date: July 24, 2003
	Six dangerous misconceptions about crane safety : Knowing the facts could save your life By: Larry Dunville, Contributing Writer Nearly every product today has a warning label. In fact, many products have multiple warning labels, lights, and bells. We even have... Publish date: July 10, 2003
	Making the workplace safe for Spanish-speaking employees By: Kelly Langdon, Contributing Writer Over the past several years, the U.S. has seen a dramatic increase in its population of Hispanic, Spanish-speaking people, with a... Publish date: June 26, 2003
	Your best safety resource : The FMA/CNA Safety Committee By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager The committee is made up of busy people—presidents, CEOs, vice presidents, directors, managers, and engineers. They come from businesses... Publish date: June 12, 2003
	Defibrillators—Should you have one in your workplace? By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Photo courtesy of American Heart Science . In December 2001 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a... Publish date: May 29, 2003
	Employees value workplace health and wellness programs By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager A November 2002 study commissioned by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) found that nearly 60 percent of the... Publish date: April 24, 2003
	Substance abuse in the workplace—Part 2 : Preventing and dealing with the problem By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Editor's Note: Part 1 of this series outlined the sobering facts of substance abuse in the workplace. The toll that substance abuse... Publish date: April 10, 2003
	Substance abuse in the workplace—Part 1 By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Editor's Note: Part 2 of this series outlined preventing and dealing with the problem. Substance abuse and the workplace are a lethal mix... Publish date: March 27, 2003
	Escape the 'Silent Killer' : How proper protection can help prevent respiratory disease By: David S. Luther, Contributing Writer Like this plumber, many professionals who occasionally weld, braze, or cut metals don't wear respirators because they think infrequent exposure to... Publish date: March 27, 2003
	Dressing for success and other welding safety tips By: Howard Cary, Contributing Writer Whether we are attending a social occasion or dressing for the job, we all give some thought about what we are going to wear. For many social... Publish date: May 30, 2001
	Staying safe during HF welding: A common sense approach to personnel protection By: Ray Cagganello, Contributing Writer In an era of corporate downsizing and intense competition, companies are under mounting pressure to keep operating costs to a minimum while... Publish date: October 11, 2001
	When sparks fly ... By: Kathie Leonard, Contributing Writer While an arc welding unit was being used on the second floor in a Kaukauna, Wisconsin, warehouse, sparks dropped through an opening to... Publish date: December 13, 2001
	The basics of eye and face protection for welders : Safety practices for goggles, helmets, and face shields By: Chris Van Hoven, Contributing Writer To ensure workplace health and safety, both employees and employers need to recognize hazards and prevent accidents. This is especially... Publish date: March 14, 2002
	Protecting your eyes in industrial environments : Safety spectacle features and options By: John R. Womer, Contributing Writer According to the National Society to Prevent Blindness, 400,000 eye injuries occur on the job each year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says an... Publish date: February 14, 2002

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