Safer America Newsletter

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March Special Report: IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE FOR ALL EVAC-U8™ AND EVAC+™ OWNERS – CLICK HERE

 

 

Dear Friends,

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff called for government regulation of chemical plant security on Tuesday but said the industry should come up with its own protective measures...to be verified by private auditors.

 

Speaking at a forum hosted by the chemical industry, Chertoff said Congress needs to quickly give his department regulatory authority to bolster facilities that are attractive targets for terrorists. But he said federal regulations must be flexible to prevent harsh burdens on business.

 

"We ought to say to the industry, 'Look, here's where we need to go,'" Chertoff said. "'Now, there are a lot of different roads to get there. And you can choose the road that best fits your particular kind of chemical, or your particular type of operation. We're not going to micromanage. What we do insist, though, is that you get to the place you need to be.'"

 

Congress is considering legislation for federal regulation of the nation's 15,000 privately operated chemical facilities, which counterterrorism experts have warned are at the top of the list of likely terror targets. Congressional investigators have revealed spotty results in how well the chemical industry is prepared to respond in the event of an attack.

Large chemical corporations quickly applauded Chertoff's plans, which were mostly aimed at small firms that have resisted installing security because of high costs.

 

But with one-fifth of the nation's chemical plants located close to cities and other heavily populated areas, "there isn't any security that would be good enough" against the threat of a hazardous toxic release, said Greenpeace legislative director Rick Hind said Monday. "A small plane or a high powered weapon would bypass any gate or fence."

 

Safer America brings you the best in personal safety products.

 

The Safer America Team

http://www.saferamerica.com

 

 

Highlighted products                                       

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All the products presented on our website and in this newsletter are in stock.

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Discounts                                               

 

March Discounts:

·         For every purchase over $200 – 1 Emergency Blanket offered!

·         5% off on M’95 gas masks!

To receive the discount for those items, you only need to refer to this newsletter when placing your order!

·         You represent a Governmental Agency? We’ll give you GSA prices! When placing your order, just ask our representative or notify us of your agency status.

 

 

Safety Tip and bottom Line                       

 

Safety – Chemicals, Labels and hazards…ABC

 

Chemical safety is important to protect your health and well being whether you use chemicals in an industrial setting, in an artistic setting, at home, or in a laboratory. To safeguard your health, you must ensure that your exposure to chemicals is below appropriate levels. You must also ensure that you are adequately protected from accidental spills.

 

Chemical Labels

Labels are provided on chemicals for your protection. The Hazard Communication Standard and the Laboratory Standard both require labeling of chemicals.

Labels on shipped chemicals include:

  • Name of the product
  • Name and address of the manufacturer
  • Physical and health hazards

 

A portable container filled from a labeled container by an employee who uses it immediately or during his/her work shift does not have to be labeled. However, if any of the material is left at the end of the work shift, it must be returned to the original container OR it must be labeled as follows:

 

  • Name of the product
  • Physical and health hazards (see below)

 

In laboratories, research samples are almost always present. All research samples should be appropriately labeled and stored in closed cabinets. Cabinets should only contain one type of sample per cabinet and the chemical type should be labeled on the cabinet door. Contact your supervisor or instructor, or your local Environmental Health and Safety office for information.

 

Containers of products distributed prior to 1985 may not contain hazard warnings from the manufacturer. In those cases, other warning systems may be used. One such system is the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 704 system. Contact your local Environmental Health and Safety office for further information about chemical labeling systems.

 

Physical and Health Hazards of Chemicals

 

Most common Physical Hazards:

Combustible Liquid, Compressed Gas, Explosive, Flammable, Organic Peroxide, Oxidizer, Pyrophoric, Unstable (reactive), Water-reactive.

 

Most common Health Hazards:

Carcinogenic (cancer-causing), Acutely toxic, Chronically toxic, Reproductive toxin, Irritant, Corrosive (acid/base), Sensitizer, Hepatotoxins (liver), Nephrotoxins (kidney), Neurotoxins (central nervous system), Agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes, Agents which act on the hematopoietic system (circulatory system).

 

To view Safer America’s selection of Chemical coveralls – Click here

 

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It Happened 27 years ago…

March 28th 1979: Nuclear leak causes alarm in America

 

Radioactive steam leaked into the atmosphere in Pennsylvania, USA.

The accident happened when a water pump broke down at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant, 10 miles (16km) south-east of the state capital Harrisburg. There were fears some of the plant's 500 workers have been contaminated. The authorities declared a "general emergency" but did not inform the public until five hours after the gas escaped at 0400 local time.

 

Director of the County Civil Defence Organisation (CCDO) Les Jackson said at the time they had drawn up an evacuation plan, but nearby residents had not been moved yet. He described the scene at the large power station in the Susquehanna River as "a madhouse".

 

Spokesman for the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) Joe Fouchard said: "There's a hell of a lot of radiation in the reactor building."  A spokesman for Metropolitan Edison - one of the companies that run Three Mile Island - said the nuclear reactor automatically shut down after the malfunction, but not before the leak.

 

According to a US Government report radiation had been detected a mile away, but the calm weather has helped contain the spread of the noxious fumes.

 

During this period the nuclear industry has been under increasing scrutiny in the US - Five plants had been closed down there just two weeks before the events, over fears of the effects of earthquakes on cooling towers…

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Today, we live surrounded by safety items and devices; such apparels are becoming part of our everyday urban landscape. Nobody wishes to ever having to use any of those protection products – but to know they are there “just in case”, that should be everyone’s concern.

 

Have a good week,

 

The Safer America Team

http://www.saferamerica.com

Toll Free: 1-866-SAFER-99

Fax: 1-425-660-7779