Determining the difference between the common cold and the flu can be difficult.  Because they share many of the same symptoms, they can easily be mistaken for one another.  It is important to know the difference between these two common illnesses so the right treatment can be applied.  Lets take a look at several signs that might help you determine the difference between a cold and the flu.

What time of the year is it?
If you have severe cold symptoms between the late fall and early spring, your odds of having the flu significantly increased.  The common cold is passed around all year long but the flu generally takes place from October to March.  

Cold symptoms are usually milder than the flu
If you have mild congestion, coughing, headaches and sneezing, the chances you have a cold are more likely.  Flu symptoms are generally more severe than cold symptoms.  Aches, pains, fever, and congestion will converge quickly with the flu.

Higher temperature for longer duration
If you have a high temperature (over 101.1) the flu is more likely your ailment.  Not only will your temperature usually be higher with the flu, but it will generally last longer too.

Flu symptoms stay with you longer than a cold
Not only does a temperature stay with you longer, but most flu symptoms outlast cold symptoms by days or even weeks.  The typical cold can make you feel lousy for several days while flu symptoms can make you feel down right sick for weeks.

The color of mucus can reveal the cold or flu
If you have had a cold for over a week and wake up with dark green mucus coming from your nose, you may have a bacterial infection and will need an antibiotic.  

Treat your illness seriously

Last year, 36,000 people in the United States died because of the flu and over 200,000 people were hospitalized.  Monitor your health carefully.  If you experience chest pain, severe headaches, dizziness, confusion or shortness of breath, seek immediate medical attention.  If you have difficulty breathing, are lethargic, or have rapid breathing, your body may be under distress and immediate medical attention is required.  

How to fight the cold and flu

There are several ways to help fight the spread of the cold and influenza.

1. Wash your hands
2. Always cover your cough with your arm.
3. Stay away from sick people when possible
4. Get the flu shot
5. Eat healthy & exercise

All of the above will help you fight the cold and influenza.  

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If you haven't flu season is here and it's packing a punch.  Virtually every state has reported outbreaks of influenza and the season has plenty of time left.  The northwest and northeast indicate that outbreaks are worse than last year.  

It isn't just the flu that is making millions of Americans feel miserable.  Other viruses and bacterial infections like the norovirus and strep are also being passed around.  The CDC has indicated that Influenza A (H3N2) is the dominant reported strain that has been making people feel sicker during this 2016-17 flu season.  

This poses a real problem for the workplace.  Sick people should stay home while contagious. But even after they return to work, their productivity levels are low because they are still recovering and need to treat their symptoms.  Employers can keep their workers productive by making available basic over the counter medicines designed for the workplace.  They are individually packaged with instructions and warnings so employees can know what they are taking.  Take a look at our medicines here.  

What can Human Resources do this cold & flu season?
HR should educate and promote the flu vaccine.  Supply for the vaccine is still good.  While it doesn't guarantee you won't get the flu, it sure will reduce your chances.  Human Resources should also promote proper hand washing, sneezing and coughing etiquette. 

Housekeeping should make extra rounds and sanitize hard surfaces, door handles and other places where hands touch potentially infected areas.  Keep recovering employees comfortable and productive by making available workplace medications where appropriate.

The Center for Disease Control has helpful information about the spread and prevention of the flu and other common illnesses.  Take a look at the CDC Flu page here.

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The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has reported that the Flu season is off to an early start and widespread in many States. Currently well over 40 states are reporting widespread influenza activity. The CDC recommends 3 steps to fight the flu:

1. Get the Flu vaccine
2. Take Precautions to prevent the spread
3. Take Doctor Prescribed Flu Antiviral Drugs

6 Everyday Precautions (recommended by the CDC) you can take right now are:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy food.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

We have a variety of flu fighting and flu relief products that can help you during this aggressive flu season.  See our flu flighting products here.

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PPE for bodily fluids is necessary to protect ourselves from infectious diseases.  Few people likely ever imagine themselves in a situation where a full-body hazmat suit would be necessary, but for lab workers and some health care personnel, this may be an everyday norm. However, it's imperative that hospitals, laboratories and other workspaces are prepared for worst-case scenarios, especially regarding bodily fluids and other possible contaminants. Take for example the recent Ebola outbreak that had health care facilities around the country concerned about both the health of their workers and patients. In general, hospitals and other facilities did not have proper PPE protocols in place, which resulted in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issuing updated guidelines for appropriate precautions.

There's no way of knowing exactly when an unexpected biohazard will present itself. With that said, having the right PPE on hand, including gowns, masks or respirators, gloves and goggles, in case of a possible emergency will certainly lead to healthier and safer outcomes in the long run.

Law regarding PPE
 According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, employers are legally obligated to provide appropriate PPE for specific work conditions. In regard to bodily fluids, the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard mandates that PPE is required when exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials is expected.

OSHA states, "Appropriate PPE, addressed in 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(3)(i), must be provided by the employer, cleaned and laundered and disposed of, at no cost to the employee, in appropriate sizes and used by personnel if blood exposure is anticipated. PPE includes gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, masks, face shields, eye protection, mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, pocket masks, or other ventilation devices."

Under that directive, it's clear that PPE for bodily fluids should be as comprehensive as possible, especially when any exposure can pose a potential risk. Therefore, protecting employees from workplace hazards requires PPE training, thorough PPE protocols and safe methods of disposal. Moreover, procedures should regularly be critiqued and reassessed to ensure the safety of employees when wearing PPE for bodily fluids.

Wearing PPE for bodily fluids
Learning how to appropriately put on and take off full-body PPE requires professional training and should be practiced, but in case of an emergency, the CDC has several recommendations for donning protection.

To begin, the CDC advises considering the sequence in which a person puts on and removes PPE. The organization notes to don the gown first, then put on a respirator, goggles and gloves, in that order. If additional PPE is needed, be practical about the order in which it is put on.

For gowns, the CDC advises wearing the appropriate size gown, securing it at the neck and waist and wearing two gowns if the first is too small. Respirators, goggles or face shields should fit well and be adjusted so that they are not prone to movement or loosening. Finally, gloves are donned last and should extend over the cuffs of the gown so that no skin is exposed.

Note that according to the CDC, PPE for bodily fluids should not be removed strictly in reverse order. The organization has it removed as follows: gloves, face shield or goggles, gown, respirator.

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Bodily fluids on pool hard surfaces are to be treated as infectious

Lifeguards have an important job.  At public swimming pools, they watch for struggling swimmers.  Their work doesn't stop there.  Not only are they in the rescue business, they also protect us from potentially infectious bodily fluids.  The CDC says that blood, vomit, feces and other bodily fluids are to be treated as potentially infectious. 

Proper precautions and procedures should be followed to ensure the safety of workers and guests alike.   When they are not, life threatening Bloodborne diseases could be passed to unsuspecting individuals.  Typical public swimming pool settings should follow the Center for Disease guidelines to ensure the contaminated surfaces are disinfected immediately.

Selecting an appropriate disinfectant is important

A mixture of bleach (usually 1 part bleach and 9 parts water) is recommended. Be sure to only use freshly mixed solutions because their strength and effectiveness wears off fast. There are other approved commercial disinfectants that will work as well. 

The 9 additional steps to clean and disinfect a pool surface include: 

• Clearing the area of people until the process of disinfection is finished. 
•  Wearing disposable gloves is recommended to protect hands from contamination.
•  Disposable paper towel or other types of absorbent materials can be used to wipe up the spill. 
•  All waste should be placed in plastic garbage bags. 
•  After the biohazard is absorbed and disposed of, pour the disinfectant solution over the contaminated area. 
•  The solution should sit for 20 minutes. 
•  After the time has passed, wipe up any solution that is still present. 
•  If you use any "reusable" tools like brooms, mops, brushes etc.., be sure to disinfect them with the solution and then air dry. 
•  All gloves, and any remaining soiled materials should be double-bagged and tied shut in garbage bags and thrown away.

Take a look at our BioSafety Category for Personal Protection equipment and biohazard related products.

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Cooler changing weather brings sickness.  Don't let the cold & flu season get you down.   Even though these illnesses are easily passed from person to person, you can help prevent passing them to others and reduce your risk of catching them by simply washing your hands!  The CDC recommends these 5 steps to proper hand-washing.  Let's take a look and see how-to wash our hand the right way and reduce our chances from catching the common cold or flu.

5 Steps to proper hand-washing helps reduce sickness


1.  WET YOUR HANDS - 
It is important to use clean water to wet your hands.  The temperature of the water doesn't really make a difference for effectiveness but most people like warm water when available.  Make sure to get all of your skin wet and then turn off the faucet and apply soap.

2.  LATHER YOUR HANDS - 
Many people quickly rub their hands together while the water is running.  This causes the soap to quickly run off before you have had a chance to thoroughly clean your skin.  With the water off apply the soap and rub your hands together until the bubbles begin to build up.  This "lathering" is a sign you are doing a good job.  Be sure to scrub every part of your hands including both front and back, under your nails and between your fingers.

3.  SCRUB YOUR HANDS FOR 20 SECONDS - 
Simply applying water and soap isn't enough.  It is important you scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds to remove dirt, bacteria or any germs that could be transmitted.  Count to 20 or hum the happy birthday song twice before you begin to rinse. 

4.  RINSE YOUR HANDS - 
Turn the tap back on and rinse your hands well under clean running water.  Be sure to rinse off all of the soap residue under your nails and from every part of your hands.  Rinse your hands well under clean, running water. 

5.  DRY YOUR HANDS USING A CLEAN TOWEL - 
If in a public place, be sure to get your paper towel before turning off the faucet.  Germs are all over bathroom fixtures.  Reach for the towel, dry your hands thoroughly and then use the towel to turn off the faucet.  Use that same towel to open the bathroom door.  The door is another germ-filled object.  The waste basket should be positioned near the door where you can discard your towel after opening the door with it.  

If you are in a public restroom that doesn't have paper products but uses an electric hand dryer, grab some toilet paper to touch fixtures or door handles.  

If there is no running water, the CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. 

Practicing proper hand-washing is essential to public health and will help reduce your chances of transmitting or catching one of these common cold-weather illnesses.

MFASCO Hand-Washing & Sanitation Resources:

Maintaining safe & sanitary environments work environments is essential for any operating business & organization. Taking proper care of your employees includes providing hand protection when their job requires a sterile work environment. Especially when they are working with sensitive, dangerous, and dirty materials.

Here are a few of MFASCOs Hand-Washing & Sanitation Resources: 

Hand Safety Products & Accessories:

• Medical Gloves
• Hand Sanitizers
• Hand Soaps
• Disinfectants & Cleaners

Additional Resources for Hand Protection:

• Understanding the importance of PPE for bodily fluids
• Cleaners, Sanitizers and Disinfectants - What's the difference?

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Anywhere there are people, there is a potential for bodily fluid spills. If you are looking for a product to help you clean up potentially infectious bodily fluids, the MFASCO #4115 Bodily Fluids Clean Up Kit is your best option. We're going to detail the kit and it's components in this brief video. Stick around and see why this is our best selling cleanup kit, here at MFASCO Health & Safety.

Yes, it is an unpleasant thought, but it is very true. The Center for Disease Controls tells us that all bodily fluids must be treated as potentially infectious. We call this "Universal Precautions".   OSHA, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, states that "everyone, who as part of their job, has the potential to be exposed to bodily fluids", falls under the Bloodborne Pathogen law. Common sense tells us.. that even if we don't fall under the law... we should protect ourselves. 

 OSHA states that Engineering controls are the primary means of eliminating or minimizing employee exposure. The MFASCO #4115 Biohazard Spill Clean Up Kit does just that. It includes all of the necessary items to easily and safely clean up potentially hazardous spills like blood, vomit, urine or any other fluid that could contain blood or other infectious diseases.

Biohazard Fluids Cleanup Kit Contents

- 2 vinyl gloves
- 1 scooper & scraper
- 1 package of chlorinated fluid control solidifier
- 1 antiseptic hand wipe
- 1 germicidal surface wipe
- 2 biohazard bags

It is perfect for cleaning up after the incident. This Bodily fluids cleanup kit makes a great refill for existing biohazard spill kits.

Thanks again for joining us. See you next time, here, at MFASCO Health & Safety..........

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Universal Precautions may be a common phrase in the world of healthcare but to the average American they are unfamiliar words. When it comes to our health, everyone should learn and practice them well.  Back in the early 1980's, HIV was introduced to the United States. It seemed like every night, the evening news talked about a new virus called AIDS.

At that time, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) published a document called "Guideline for Isolation Precautions in Hospitals", which included a section dealing with blood and bodily fluid precautions. Five years later the CDC published "Recommendations for Prevention of HIV Transmission in Health Care Settings". The new document recommended that bodily fluids, infected or not, should be considered potentially infectious.

Why is this important to the average American worker?  While you might not be in the healthcare industry, you work with people and there is always the potential for an accident or medical emergency to occur among your co-workers.  In many instances, bodily fluids leave the victim and exposed rescue workers and good samaritans trying to help.

Now, in a work setting, OSHA requires "Employees to observe Universal Precautions to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM)" . Now known as Universal Precautions, this approach to infection control helps reduce the risk of unprotected exposure to potentially infectious bodily fluids. Treating all human blood and some human body fluids as if they were infected with HIV or HBV leaves out the guess work of how to treat such situations.

Other Potentially Infectious Materials known as OPIM include human body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, saliva in dental procedures and any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood. This also includes other body fluids that are difficult or impossible to tell the difference between body fluids.

As part of Universal Precautions, the CDC recommends the use of gloves, masks, eyewear, face-shields, barrier gowns and other Personal Protection Equipment to reduce exposure. As always, engineering and work practice controls should also be implemented to limit exposure.  These links will provide more details about the OSHA standard and CDC guidelines pertaining Bloodborne Pathogens and Universal Precautions.  We also wrote "Bloodborne Pathogens and the typical American worker" which gives a nice overview of what it is and why it is important.

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When it comes to dealing with Blood and other potentially infectious bodily fluids, there is no topic more important the Personal Protection Equipment.  The Center for Disease Controls and OSHA give strong warning about how to treat bodily fluids.  We have published several helpful articles and videos about Bloodborne Pathogens, Universal Precautions and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).   We suggest you use our site search with the keyword "bloodborne" to see all of our resources.  Here is a brief list of a few of our most popular.


Understanding the importance of PPE for bodily fluids

How to sanitize your first aid kit - VIDEO

Cleaners, Sanitizers and Disinfectants - What's the difference?

Universal Precautions - Two words everyone should know

Bloodborne Pathogens and the typical American worker

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Keeping a workplace clean and free of germs can be a major challenge. Everyone has experienced the office emptying out during flu season or coming in paranoid because everyone has the sniffles. In general, offices, schools and work sites can be incubators for germs because not only is everyone in a contained space, but also common areas are used regularly. Imagine how many people are touching the handle on the kitchen coffee pot or door to the bathroom on a daily basis. For this reason, disinfecting hard surfaces in the workplace is critical to general health. Here are some tips for keeping your workplace a healthy environment for everyone:

Wash your hands and disinfect areas you regularly touch

Believe it or not, germs can travel several feet when you sneeze or cough. Even if you cover your nose and mouth, spray can be sent into the air that then lands on surfaces nearby. To mitigate this problem, many people sneeze or cough into their hands. While this is a common social courtesy, germs that stick to your hands can easily spread throughout the office. Make sure to wash your hands after blowing your nose or coughing into your hands, and also disinfect surfaces that you touch often throughout the day. Consider that even if you wash your hands regularly, if you don't disinfect surfaces such as your desk, keyboard, mouse and other work areas, odds are those germs will end up right back on your hands.

Understand cleaning versus disinfecting 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting a surface are three distinctly different processes; however, many people tend to use the terms interchangeably. Whereas cleaning is the act of physically removing germs and impurities such as dirt and grime from a surface, disinfecting kills germs that are on the surface. Together, these two methods are used to sanitize an area. Therefore, a sanitized surface should have a safe level of germs and help prevent the spread of illnesses.

Be thorough 

The Cleaning Institute notes that scrubbing a surface is not necessarily enough to kill illness-causing germs and that sponges and other cleaning apparatuses can actually spread germs from place to place. For the best cleanliness, thoroughly disinfect every hard surface, rinse with water and follow any other specific instructions on the product's label. The CDC recommends making sure disinfectants and general cleaners are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Furthermore, the organization advises to check the label to see if a product has been approved for killing influenza when trying to prevent the flu from spreading.

Remain aware of chemical products that are abrasive or could harm your health. When using certain cleaners and disinfectants, it's important to wear gloves, respirators, goggles or other personal protective equipment. Always wash your hands after you finish sanitizing an area.

MFASCO Health & Safety Disinfecting Tips, Resources, and Supplies

Disinfecting surfaces always seems straightforward, but there are critical elements to both the process and supplies to consider. Areas commonly touched readily transfer microbials from person to person, and one sick staff or family member can quickly turn into many. Check out the resources below--a few minutes now can save a few days (or more) of sickness later.

Surface Disinfectant Product & Accessories

Disinfectants & Cleaners
Antiseptic Liquid Sprays
Clorox Disinfectant Spray

Individually Wrapped Clorox Bleach Wipes

Additional Resources for Disinfecting Around the Workplace

How to disinfect safety glasses
Defining the difference between sanitizers & disinfectants
How to sanitize a workplace surface

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No

Bloodborne pathogens are infectious diseases living in bodily fluids. In 1992, OSHA (the Occupational Safety & Health Administration) recognized these potential hazards and issued a standard designed to "limit occupation exposure to blood and any other potentially infectious materials". How do bloodborne pathogens affect the typical American worker? Even though we might not be healthcare workers, or expect to come in contact with bodily fluids at work, all of us need to understand the risks of and know how to protect ourselves. So, in this brief article, we are going to equip ourselves to do just that.  Below, we highlight what a bloodborne pathogen is, how it is transmitted and how we can protect ourselves from exposure.

What is a bloodborne pathogen?
A bloodborne pathogen is a microorganism that lives inside human blood, urine, feces, vomit, semen, vaginal secretions, saliva and others.  Examples of these pathogens are Hepatitus B, Hepatitus C and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Anyone exposed to these pathogens are at risk for serious or life-threatening illnesses.

How are bloodborne pathogens transmitted?
Infectious pathogens are transmitted through bodily fluids. Any bodily fluid should be considered potentially infectious. The bodily fluids mentioned above are passed when they leave the infected person and enter the unsuspecting victim. This can happen through a blood to blood interaction between the infected person and the worker or in some cases fluid to fluid transmission. It can take place through a sexual act, needle stick, splash or spray or even something like hand to eye or hand to mouth where your hand is exposed and then you rub your face.  Some bloodborne pathogens can live outside the body for over a week. While this may sound alarming, using the correct precautions will help limit exposure.

How can i protect myself? 
Understanding what a bloodborne pathogen is and the risks involved is the first and most important step in protecting ourselves. Below are 7 ways we can reduce our exposure and limit our risks.

1.  Learn & Equip yourself - Take time to read about bloodborne pathogens from reliable sources like the CDC or OSHA.  Educate yourself and learn about the risks and what to do about it.  (Be trained if necessary).   

2.  Universal Precautions - Consider any bodily fluid potentially infectious. In the health care industry they call this Universal Precautions. Always assume and respond as if it is potentially infectious.

3.  Engineer out your exposure - limit your risk to exposure before it happens. An example would be to use an approved sharps container to collect used needles or other sharps that could cause a "stick" in an unsuspecting worker.

4.  Wear the appropriate PPE - Whenever you can reasonably anticipate exposure to bloodborne pathogens, always wear the necessary PPE. Examples would be gloves, gowns, masks, mouthpieces and resuscitation bags.

5.  Dispose of the potentially infectious PPE or other clothing properly - If clothes or PPE have been exposed to bodily fluids, be sure to remove them and dispose of them properly.

6.  Properly decontamination of the exposed area, surfaces - Bio Safety clean-up kits usually include bleach or other approved disinfectants that clean surfaces where exposure took place. The OSHA standard goes into detail of the proper process.

7.  Wash hands - As always, proper hand washing immediately after exposure is critical.

We live in an age where bloodborne pathogens are around us. Understanding what they are, how they are transmitted and how we can protect ourselves reduces the risk of exposure. See these links to learn more about Bloodborne Pathogens and the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. The average American worker who is not part of the Health Care industry is not required by law to follow the standard BUT all of us should be informed and aware of the risks and understand how we should respond.

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No

When working in environments with dangerous chemicals, bodily fluids or other potential hazards, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment is a must.

A disposable biohazard PPE kit is a single-use kit containing the necessary equipment to help reduce the risk of exposure to potentially infectious bodily fluids. The kit comes complete with a disposable gown, vinyl gloves, a mask and visor, shoe covers, antimicrobial hand wipes and a biohazard bag to ensure all materials can be properly thrown away.

When donning biohazard PPE​, make sure that there are no entry points for exposure. Gloves should be donned last and worn so that the wristband covers the cuff of the gown.

You can see example of BioSafety related products used to clean up or protect yourself form bloodborne pathogens here: containing the necessary equipment to help reduce the risk of exposure to potentially infectious bodily fluids

We also have a complete line of ready made bloodborne - biosafety kits here.

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No

A new study reveals that some American health care workers are not adequately trained for or protected from bloodborne pathogens. 28% of privately owned dental practices did not have a site-specific written bloodborne pathogens exposure control plan and half of those had no intention to implement one in the next 12 months.  OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.1030 bloodborne pathogens standard was created to safeguard the American health care worker from infectious diseases found in human bodily fluids and the standard requires an exposure control plan be in place to protect workers.  

What is a bloodborne pathogens exposure control plan?

An exposure control plan (EPC) is the framework for compliance where the employer creates a written plan to protect their workers from bloodborne pathogens.  This written plan is a requirement for compliance.  Without this plan, the employer has no program and there is little hope to properly protecting their workers.  It is also a violation of Federal law and the employer will be deemed "non-compliant" and potentially fined.  So, with that in mind, let's take a minute and look at the 7 elements of an exposure control plan.  

1.  Exposure determination - The plan should include the names, department and task of each employee where the potential for occupation exposure to bodily fluids exists.

2.  Methods of implementation and control - There are several elements that will help reduce the potential for exposure to employees including:  

• Exposure control plan - A written plan outlining processes and procedures to prevent and correct exposure of potential infectious diseases and provide employee training.
• Engineering controls and work practices - Methods including sharps disposal, review of work practices, employee involvement and awareness are all included.
• Personal protective equipment(PPE) - Supplies are provided to employees who fall under the plan including gloves, gowns, face protection, goggles and the training, education and use of PPE.
• Housekeeping - Outlines the proper use and procedures to handle, clean, and dispose of contaminated materials like clothing, emesis basins, sharps disposal, towels and rags that are considered potentially infectious.  Biohazard clean-up kits are commonly used for spill applications.
• Laundry - Clothing that may have been exposed must be disposed of or treated appropriately, being placed in red, leak-proof bags marked with biohazard symbol.
• Labels - Equipment including waste receptacles, refrigerators and other locations where potentially infectious materials are located must be labeled with identifying tags, stickers or markings according to the standard to help identify them as hazardous and warn employees.  Red biohazard bags are commonly used for disposal.

3.  Hepatitis B Vaccine - The employer will provide training and vaccinations to employees who, as part of their job will be exposed to potentially infectious bodily fluids.  There are a few reasons an employee would not be required to be vaccinated but generally, everyone should be.  Any employee who declines the vaccination must sign a document of refusal to be kept with the other bloodborne pathogens program records.

4.  Post-Exposure evaluation and follow-up - Immediately after an event of exposure, a confidential medical evaluation and follow-up will be conducted.  The evaluation details several steps including documenting how the exposure occurred, being tested for infection, blood collection for evaluation and further testing and more.  See the standard for more details.  

5.  Communication of hazards and training - Every worker who has occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogen receive training about what it is, symptoms, and transmission these diseases.  As well as training, employees will have an opportunity to ask questions and get answers from the person who is conducting the training.

6.  Record keeping - There are 4 types of records OSHA requires.  Training, medical, incident, and sharps injury records all must be managed and maintained by the employer.  The length of time the records must be maintained varies based on record type.  For example, training records must be kept for three years while medical records must be kept for thirty years after the employee is no longer employed at that organization.

7.  Administration of post exposure incidents - In the case where an employee has been exposed, the employer is required to examine the plan, process and procedures surrounding the employee for the purpose of preventing future exposure. 

While the study mentioned in the beginning of this article focused on the dental industry, we can assume that there are many other organizations who are not bloodborne pathogens compliant within different industries.  Take a close look at OSHA's written bloodborne pathogens standard and begin to create your exposure control plan.  If you have already created an exposure control plan but it has been tucked away in a file for years, get it out and update it.  Reach out to your employees and put your plan back into action.  These steps will help protect your most important asset, your employees.

MFASCO Health & Safety is an expert at Bloodborne Pathogen Kits and Supplies

Whether you need masks, gowns or biohazard bags to refill your existing stock, we have the biohazard protection supplies you need.

We manufacture biohazard clean-up kits and personal protection kits

We manufacturer and stock disposable bloodborne pathogens clean-up kits and PPE personal protection kits.  Our combination cleanup and ppe kits are the best choice for a complete kit.

More helpful resources and someone to talk to

We're here to help.  We have helpful articles about understanding the importance of PPE for bodily fluids or a basic overview of the concept of universal precautions, MFASCO Health & Safety is  ready to help you select the right biohazard protection supplies.  Give us a call or email us for assistance.

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https://youtu.be/OWvmLqkPsSo

Why Personal Protection from Bodily Fluids Is Important

Thank you for joining us today here at MFASCO Health & Safety. We are going to take a close look at a product that is designed to protect us from Bodily Fluids. When encountering blood or other bodily fluids, extreme caution should be always be used. Since 1992, infectious micro-organisms living in human blood known as Bloodborne pathogens, have been recognized as a serious health hazard to workers. Protecting yourself from these Biohazards includes the use of personal protective equipment. So, today we are going to take a closer look & review the #4120 Biohazard Personal Protection Kit here at MFASCO Health & Safety. 

MFASCO has designed a complete "Biohazard Personal Protection Kit" to help limit exposure to Bloodborne pathogens. Everything in the PPE kit is totally disposable. The convenient ziplock storage bag keeps the contents clean and safe until they are ready to use. The kit contains a disposable gown, visor & mask, red biohazard bag, latex free exam gloves, hand sanitizer, shoe covers and even instructions how to use the kit.

The #4120 kit has several benefits including it's price. At under 5 dollars it is a real bargain. The contents are well made.
The gown has a liquid barrier film included for added protection.
The mask is a combination eye & face protector that stays on well. 

Who Would Use This Biohazard PPE Kit?

AND
The instructions for use easy to understand and have large print.

The only negative about this kit is that it is designed for one person. This might actually be a benefit as it does save on waste. For those who need more supplies, we suggest providing one PPE kit per person. This way, each person has the items they need and nothing is missing.

We see this kit being used by first responders, law enforcement, healthcare workers and anyone else who needs to be protected during a biohazard response. Manufacturing, clinics, government municipalities, construction, shopping malls and other places where there are people should all consider keeping a PPE kit handy and ready to use. Basically, any place where there is a multi-person first aid kit should consider keeping a Biohazard Personal Protection Equipment Kit.

Learn More About How To Protect Yourself

So, limit exposure to Bloodborne pathogens by using the MFASCO Health & Safety #4120 Personal Protection Equipment kit. REMEMBER, Always use Universal Precautions when encountering bodily fluids. WE have some great articles that provide more information about Bloodborne Pathogens and Universal precautions on our blog. Just search our site for the keyword "Bloodborne" to get you started.

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Thanks again for joining us. See you next time, here, at MFASCO Health & Safety..........

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Micro-thin gloves used in the health care industry help protect workers from the potentially infectious bodily fluids they encounter while on the job. These revolutionary exam gloves are made of different materials including natural latex, petroleum based nitrile and vinyl. General industry has taken advantage of the dexterity and protection these gloves can provide workers from common hazards the worker is exposed too. With the evolution of new materials like nitrile, these gloves can now be used in settings that have oils and other general solvents without falling apart. Lets take brief look at the pros and cons of each type of exam glove material so you can determine what the right glove for your needs.

Latex Gloves

Latex gloves are what healthcare has been using for years. Made from natural latex rubber trees, products including gloves, condoms and even clothing, this material has many benefits including: 

• Superior protection from Bloodborne Pathogens 
• Flexible to contour to the skin 
• Close snug fit to the skin 
• Low cost very comfortable 

While more latex gloves are being produced than vinyl or nitrile, this is quickly changing. Allergies to latex have caused significant demands for other materials including nitrile and vinyl. OSHA has recommended only wearing latex gloves in situations that require protection from Bloodborne Pathogens and other infectious agents.

Vinyl Gloves

Vinyl gloves, manufactured of virgin PVC resins, have been used in the food industry for years. In recent years, improvements have been made to the materials and elastic properties are being introduced to offer a better slightly more elastic fit that in the past. That being said, vinyl gloves are a great option for latex sensitive users and are widely accepted in both general and healthcare industries. As far as chemical resistance, vinyl gloves are generally more resistant than latex but not nearly as resistant as nitrile. Vinyl gloves are usually less expensive than nitrile and in some cases even latex. Vinyl Glove benefits include: 

• Lower cost 
• Latex-free 
• More durable than latex 
• Generally accepted in healthcare and general industry

Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves are made from a synthetic material and are ideal for people who have latex allergies. They are chemical resistant and more durable than either latex or vinyl gloves. While they are not as flexible as latex, nitric gloves have improved over the years. Usually costing more, nitrile is still considered the premium option for general industrial practices. While not used as often in the healthcare industry, acceptability is on the rise. Nitrile gloves have been shown effective agains chemo therapy drugs and other harsh chemicals. Some emergency agencies are requesting nitric gloves because of these benefits: 

• Strength and chemical resistant 
• Easy putting on and off 
• Non-latex

Choosing the right examination glove for your application should be simple once you understand the strengths and limitations for each of the materials mentioned above.  One subject we didn't discuss in this article is thickness, sterility or design differences.  Thicker gloves generally means more protection.  Our article did not clarify these points so we could focus strictly on the materials.  When deciding what gloves to use, always consider the level of protection you need and consult a healthcare or safety professional when there is any question about health and safety factors.

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Stay Safe and Healthy This Fall
MFASCO Health & Safety has been working hard shipping your orders the same day they are received!  We want you to be safe and healthy during this challenging time.  With this in mind, we have put together hand picked products and resources that are relevant for today. Whether you are going back to school, back to work or just want to be prepared, we are here to help.

Select Items On Sale
See our select items on sale and take advantage of these specials while supplies last.  View our items on sale here. 

Prevent sickness
We've prepared our best curated resources to prevent illness as.  Check them out here.

Other helpful resources
Our Learning Center contains hundreds of great health & safety related articles, infographics, videos and ebooks.  Here are a few of our most popular additions pertaining to disinfecting and sanitizing: 

• 5 Steps To Proper Hand-washing
• How To Disinfect Safety Glasses
• Disinfecting Hard Surfaces For The Workplace
• Cleaners - Sanitizers - Disinfectants - What's The Difference?
• What Is The Difference Between Isolation And Quarantine?
• How To Sanitize A Work Surface - VIDEO
• How To Sanitize Your First Aid Kit
• What Are The Different Types OF Respirators Available?

Make A Kit
If you haven't heard about "Make A Kit", you have to check this out.  Make A Kit has helped many people create custom outdoor kits, emergency response kits, bleeding control kits and hygiene travel kits.   

Go to the Make A Kit page now and give it a try. It is free to use. You will also find a helpful instructional video as well as an FAQ to learn more about this wonderful tool.

We're here to help. Contact customer service if you need help or have questions.

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How do safety glasses work?

Safety glasses are designed to protect the eyes from workplace hazards. They are made of strong polycarbonate material, reducing the risk that flying objects, dust and other hazards may harm the eyes.  Safety glasses are the most common and effective personal protection equipment for American workers.  Take a minute to learn 6 ways safety glasses protect the eyes!  

What are safety glasses?

Let’s quickly identify what makes a pair of safety glasses “real safety glasses”. Every safety glass manufacturer is required to have their safety glasses independently tested to ensure they will protect the worker. This includes clear safety glasses, safety eyewear with tinted lenses, and even safety glasses with magnifying for reading. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) creates the testing requirements to ensure safety glasses conform in both design and durability.  When the glasses are tested and meet or exceed these requirements, they are approved. The manufacturer can then stamp "ANSI Z87" on the safety glasses along with other identifying marks set by ANSI. Always make sure your safety glasses include the Z87 identifying markings, ensuring they are approved.

Why do we need to wear safety glasses?

Working conditions can produce all kinds of hazards from flying objects, liquids, dangerous light and bodily fluids. Whether you are working in a chemical factory or cutting the grass, safety glasses are your barrier between normal vision and blindness caused by accident. We must do everything possible to protect our vision. Countless stories from injured workers reveal their vision was spared and even their lives were saved because they were wearing safety glasses.  The importance of safety eyewear cannot be overlooked.

How do safety glasses protect us!

There are 6 ways safety glasses protect us from particulates, dust, dangerous light and other hazardous debris.  while other are because of work practices. Here is how and when safety glasses protect us: 

1. Safety glasses protect us when they are worn
    This may sound silly but it’s true. The National Institute for Occupational Health cites that 2,000 workers a day injure their eyes on the job and seek medical treatment. Many of these people were not wearing eye protection. With all of the advances in safety practices, the biggest barrier we experience is human laziness or forgetfulness. The most important way safety glasses can protect us is when they are properly worn. 
   
   
2. Safety glasses protect us when the frames are ANSI approved 
   Safety glasses come in all different shapes, sizes and colors but they all have something in common. Safety glasses with tinted lenses fall under the same safety requirements as clear safety glasses.  Even small safety glasses for children are required to be tested and approved.  They all have to pass the ANSI impact standard. They have to be stronger than prescription eyewear or recreational sunglasses. Manufacturers have designed deeper groves to secure lenses in the frame The hinges are more rugged to withstand impact. Many safety glasses have adjustable temples so the frames can be set close to the face, closing gaps where dust, dirt, metal, liquids or other objects can get in. Again, only glasses with the ANSI Z87.1 marking have been tested to protect your eyes. 
   
   
3. Safety glasses protect us when lenses meet or exceed the ANSI standard 
   All safety glasses must pass the impact test. A projectile is shot at a high rate of speed in various parts of the frame and lens to test the durability of the glasses. The lens would easily shatter if standard plastic or glass lenses were used. Special safety plastic known as “polycarbonate” is used to make safety glass lenses. This bullet proof type material is used in various thicknesses for security at banks or jails. Look for the manufacturers marking on the lens, signifying it has been tested and approved by ANSI. 
   
   
4. Safety glasses protect us when the design incorporates side-shields and brow guards
   Years ago, safety glasses looked like they were from the 1950’s. Because of their design, safety glass manufacturers had to add side shields and eyebrow guards into the frames. Side-shields were riveted in place so debris could not get into the eye from the side. Eyebrow guards helped keep dirt, metal and other objects from falling down the face from above the eyes. Newer designs have incorporated both the side shield and brow guard into the shape of the glasses so you don’t even notice them being different than most popular sunglasses. 
   
   
5. Safety glasses protect us when safe work practices are used  
   Safety glasses will only protect you from minor impact. Always follow proper safety procedures. Always keep your safety glasses securely on your face, protecting your eyes. If you will be working with grinding wheels, chemicals, welding applications or lasers, standard safety glasses will not protect you. Additional personal protection equipment (PPE) will be required. For example, you may be blinded by a fragmented grinding wheel if you wear safety glasses. A face shield should be worn over safety glasses to help reduce the potential for injury. 
   
   
6. Safety glasses protect us when they are regularly inspected and maintained 
   It is important to clean and inspect your safety glasses before each use. Look for cracks, chips, scratches or any other form of wear or damage that might have previously occurred. Even minor damage can influence the effectiveness of the glasses. Scratched lenses can weaken the material, causing it to fail during impact. Weakened hinges can reduce the performance of impact resistance from side impact. 

ANSI Markings 
Newer ANSI requirements have simplified how the end user can  identify the performance limits of a particular safety glass.  Ratings for impact, liquid splash, dust, welding, ultraviolet light, infrared light, lasers and prescriptions all include specific markings found on safety glasses. In our example photo in this article, a typical pair of clear, standard safety glasses has markings like these:
“PZ87.1+U6”.  The following list spells out the rating for these specific safety glasses.

• “P” is the manufacturers mark
• “Z87.1+” indicates a high-velocity impact rating
• “U6” tells us this lens has the highest ultraviolet light protection rating.

Every Safety Glasses We Stock Is ANSI Approved
We take safety seriously.  Every safety glass we sell is ANSI approved.  You don't need to worry if they are safety glasses or not.  Our glasses have been tested and approved by ANSI Z87.1 standards.

Safety glasses for schools and smaller faces

For over 50 years, MFASCO Health & Safety has been a reliable source of supply to schools, clubs, organizations, scouts, businesses and individuals who want to protect their eyes.  Shop for safety glasses with confidence.
See our popular safety glasses for students here.

Additional Resources

• Workplace Eye Safety Quiz
• Vocational School Safety Eyewear
• Eye safety in schools
• How to clean and disinfect safety glasses
• Classroom safety checklist
• 7 reasons why workplace safety is important

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Did you know that nearly half of all Americans participated in an outdoor activities every year? We love to be outdoors!  Walking, boating, hiking, camping and other fun activities are a great way to experience nature and get some physical exercise but they can also create health concerns. This 2 part article will highlight 5 outdoor health & safety tips.  Knowing what they are, how to treat them and even how we can prevent them will help us stay healthy and safe while enjoying our outdoor experience.  Part 2 can be found here. 

#1 - Heat related illness

Dehydration - If we're outdoors we are usually active.  When it's warm, our body experiences fluid loss.  Dehydration occurs when water intake is not enough to replace free water lost due to normal activities.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehydration. The best way to combat dehydration is to drink plenty of fluids and take periodic rest breaks.  Loss of water also means loss of critical minerals from your system including potassium and sodium.  Common electrolyte replacement tablets and drinks help replace these lost minerals during heavy sweating.  It's important to drink plenty of fluids before times of physical activity. Being hydrated before the physical activity begins can help prevent dehydration before it starts.

Heat Exhaustion - The mayo clinic defines heat exhaustion as “ a condition whose symptoms may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse, a result of your body overheating.”  If you experience any of these symptoms, drink plenty of fluids, remove any unnecessary clothing, cool down using an ice pack or take a cold shower or bath.  Just like dehydration, heat exhaustion can be prevented by drinking plenty of fluids before the activity begins. In addition to staying hydrated it is important to limit physical activity during the day when the temperature is at its hottest.

Heat Stroke - The oxford dictionary defines heat stroke as “a condition marked by fever and often by unconsciousness, caused by failure of the body's temperature-regulating mechanism when exposed to excessively high temperatures.” Heat stroke is the most severe of the three heat related illnesses. It is most likely to occur as a result of dehydration and heat exhaustion. If symptoms of heat stroke are present, it is best to seek medical help immediately. While waiting for help, go to a cool area and get fluids as soon as possible. Cold packs or cold compresses can help as well.  

Heat related illnesses occur when someone spends too much time in the heat. It is very important to drink lots of fluids and to take frequent breaks to maintain a regulated body temperature.

#2 - Sun related illness

Sunburn - The Mayo clinic defines sunburn as "red, painful skin that feels hot to the touch — usually appears within a few hours after too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from sunshine.”  Sunburn can be treated initially with a cold pack or cold compress to ease the initial symptoms and then a water-based gel for burns can be applied to help soothe the skin and heal the irritation.  The best prevention for sunburn is to limit time spent in the sun, cover up and use sunscreen to prevent sunburn.  

Sun Poisoning - This is usually a burn from ultraviolet (UV) radiation that inflames your skin.  In reality, it is is a severe case of sunburn.  Similar treatments to that of a sunburn can be applied. Because sun poisoning is more severe, getting plenty of fluids along with taking a pain reliever may be in order.  Much like a regular sunburn; the best prevention is to avoid the sun. When outside cover the skin as much as possible. On areas that remain exposed using a sun block to protect the skin is very important. 

Keep reading part 2 of "5 Outdoor Health & Safety Tips where we highlight summer allergies, insects and poisonous plants.

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How to disinfect safety glasses 
Every day millions of Americans wear safety glasses to protect themselves from eye injuries.  Thousands of children wear safety glasses in vocational and technology classes at our public schools. Much attention is given to the proper use and warnings related to eye injuries and prevention but little is given to the care, cleaning and disinfecting of safety glasses. This is especially important for environments where safety glasses are shared between other people. This brief article will help us learn how to disinfect our safety glasses so they are safe and ready to use.

Why should I disinfect my safety glasses? 
Some may ask why it is necessary to disinfect safety glasses? Why don’t I just clean them? When glasses are shared between people, there is a potential for cross contamination between users. Cold, flu or other germs can be transmitted by the safety glasses. Blood or other bodily fluids may contain bloodborne pathogens that carry virus’ including hepatitis or AIDS. It is important to treat any bodily fluids as potentially infectious.  Cleaning and disinfecting safety glasses makes sense and promotes good health and safety hygiene practices. It is important to be aware of these types of hazards as they are not always visibly seen.

Should I clean my safety glasses before I disinfect them? 
Yes, we suggest you clean your safety glasses with a mild detergent or cleaner to remove any dirt or debris from the safety glasses. This will remove most of the contaminants from the glasses. Be gentle when cleaning and scrubbing the glasses. Plastic and polycarbonate lenses tend to scratch easily. Do not use abrasives to clean the glasses. Water temperature should be at least 110 degrees.

What is the best solution to use to disinfect my safety glasses? 
There are several inexpensive and easy to use household products that will do the job quickly and safely. Household bleach can be diluted with water to disinfect glasses. A ratio of 1 part bleach per thousand is ample to use according to Michigan State University. The same ratio can be used for ammonia and water or even tincture of iodine and water. Completely immerse and soak the glasses in the disinfecting solution for at least 2 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.  Be sure to rinse your glasses in warm water to remove any soap, cleaner or disinfectant solution.  Failure to remove the cleaners or disinfectants could cause film, haze, discoloration and could even effect the integrity of some forms of plastic.  Be sure they are rinsed off completely and dried with a lint free cloth.

How often should I disinfect my safety glasses?
Safety glasses that are shared should be disinfected after every use. This will help reduce cross contamination. If you are not sharing glasses, disinfecting only needs to occur as necessary. It is always a good idea to regularly inspect safety glasses before each use. Look for scratches or any other type of damage that may interfere with the safety performance and discard and replace as necessary.

MFASCO Safety Glasses & Eye Protection Resources:

Employers need to be able to maintain a clean working environment for their employees, and as part of the routine maintenance & care for your equipment, it is important to keep your seeing protection disinfected and sanitized. We have a number of resources available to help you keep stocked up on essential supplies, and maintain a clean working environment. 

Eye Protection Products & Accessories:

• Safety Glasses 
• Face Protection & Safety Glasses Cleaning Supplies 
• Accessories for Safety Glasses & Face Protection 

Additional Resources for Workplace Eye Protection: 

• How do Safety Glasses Protect Your Eyes 
• 5 Tips for Workplace Safety 
• How to Select the Right PPE Gear 
• Vocational School Safety Eyewear

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Different Types of Respirators

Millions of people around the world wear different types of respirators to filter the air they breathe and protecting their lungs. In heavily populated areas, pollution is a concern. Some work applications require respiratory protection by law. Even at home, people wear filtering face-pieces to protect their lungs from allergies, common sickness like the cold or other health reasons. Depending on the application, specific types of filtering protection will be required. Lets take a closer look at the different types of Respirators and their purpose. 

OSHA, the governing agency created to protect workers safety, requires workers wear respiratory protection anytime air quality conditions are hazardous. Part of a proper respiratory safety program includes identifying the potential hazards within the work environment.  A risk assessment should be made to determine if respiratory protection is required.  Training and education will follow which includes the proper use, maintenance and fitting of these respirator devices. All respirators must be approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).  The appropriate markings should be displayed on the respiratory device.  NIOSH creates performance guidelines for the different types of respiratory devices and OSHA enforces them. 

Below is a basic list of the different types of respirators commonly used in by consumers and workforce alike: 

Single Strap Masks - These are not officially considered respirators and not approved by NIOSH. They are classified as "Comfort Masks" because they are not rated to protect you. These are disposable. 

Approved filtering Dust Masks - These are NIOSH approved and display the approval markings. They are designed for particles, some mists and even some fumes depending on the type of approved dust mask. These are disposable.

Half-face masks - These usually include some type of respirator cartridge filtering system that is designed to protect the worker from specific types of contaminants ranging from acid, gas fumes or other chemicals. Particulate media or cartridges can also be used with many of these masks to protect against various types of particles. Some half-mask respirators are disposable but many of the face-pieces are reusable and offer replaceable cartridges. These types of face-pieces require maintenance. 

Full-face masks - The entire face is protected from the contaminants.  Filtering cartridges are generally used to protect the worker from acids, gas fumes or chemicals that are hazardous.  The cartridge systems are often similar to half-mask respirators.  These types of face-pieces require maintenance.

Powered Air Purifying Systems - These blow filtered air into a hood or helmet system and the positive pressure blows out the openings below the face. The filtering system is worn by the user.

Self contained Supplied Air - These systems supply air through tanks worn by the user. Commonly seen worn by firemen, these are designed to supply life saving air because the environment lacks the necessary air to breathe safely.

As with any safety device, it is important you know your risks and the hazards within your work environment.  3M recommends these 6 elements are included in every respiratory protection program:

• Exposure Assessment
• Written Program
• Respirator Selection
• Medical Evaluation
• Fir Testing
• Training & Maintenance

3M is the leader in respiratory protection.  Contact them with your technical questions or training needs.
 

MFASCO Resources for Respirators & PPE Mask Protection:

Protecting yourself against foreign contaminants & bio-hazardous materials with personal protection masks & clothing is essential for healthcare workers, first responders, and emergency personnel. Here are a number of our resources, to help you select the right respirator & PPE mask protection:

Respirator (PPE) Products & Accessories: 

• Bodily Fluid & Biohazard PPE Kits
• Biohazard Protection
• PPE Masks & Clothing
• Latex, Vinyl, & Nitrile Medical Gloves
• Hand Sanitizers
• Hand Soaps 

Additional Resources for Workplace Head Protection:

• Understanding the Importance of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
• How do Safety Glasses Protect Your Eyes
• 5 Tips for Workplace Safety
• How to Select the Right PPE Gear
• How to Sanitize a Work Surface - Video

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Classroom safety is important for any educator, but you need the right tools to get you there. Follow this classroom safety checklist to ensure you have the right first aid equipment on hand: 

First aid kit
Whether the kids are running around at recess or working diligently in wood shop, cuts, scrapes and open wounds are commonly experienced in educational institutions. Teachers should always have a fully-stocked first aid kit on hand to quickly patch up wounds, stop bleeding and prevent infection. 

Disinfectants
Between sniffling noses and sticky fingers, classrooms are a breeding ground for germs. It is common for viruses to spread from student to student, especially when kids are sent to school before they get over the flu or don't realize they're sick until they are in the classroom. While the most effective way to stop the spread of germs and illnesses is to keep sick kids at home, that's not always possible. Teachers can also slow the growth and spread of bacteria by cleaning the classroom. Keep cleansers and disinfectants on hand, and follow your school's cleaning procedure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends specifically to clean surfaces and objects that are frequently touched. These may include desk surfaces, toys, door knobs and other classroom equipment. 

Safety equipment
Depending on what subject you're teaching, you may need equipment unique to your classroom environment. For example, sciences classes in which students handle open flames and dangerous chemicals may benefit from from goggles that protect their eyes from all angles. Make sure you have extra safety eyewear in the classroom in case the kids forget to bring their own. This way, you can ensure all students can safely participate. For wood and metal shops, every student should have a pair of indoor safety glasses. Your class may also benefit from work gloves to prevent cuts or splinters when handling rough pieces of wood. Additionally, when students are working with multiple tools, you may want to provide aprons. This way, they can keep several frequently-used tools on hand to avoid reaching over dangerous power equipment or potentially putting their hands in other students' work areas. 

Signs and posters
In medical emergencies, time is of the essence. Therefore, seconds-saving tools can be just as important as the actual medical equipment. One way to save time is to have signs directing people to first aid supplies. Make sure students and other staff members know where you keep your first aid kit by posting a helpful sign above its location. Even if time won't make a life-or-death difference, such as when a substitute teacher is just looking for a way to patch up a student's minor cut, it's still important that they can easily locate the first aid kit.

Certain environments may necessitate unique safety equipment, and signs can also help identify hard-to-spot classroom features. For example, while students should always wear protective goggles when working in a science lab, a chemistry classroom would benefit from an eye washing station. Have an eye wash symbol safety sign so even if you're not in the classroom, students and other staff members can safely direct the victim to the station. Safety and education go hand-in-hand, so make sure your classroom is equipped to handle common first aid emergencies.

MFASCO Health & Safety Provides Easy Access to The Right Classroom Safety Information and Products

School First Aid Kits & Accessories

School First Aid Kits
Classroom & Teacher First Aid Kits
Make a Custom First Aid Kit

Additional Resources for First Aid in Schools

Where should a school keep their first aid supplies?
Where to keep first aid kits in a school
4 tips for school first aid guidelines & procedures

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Summer activities are ramping up and all of us here at MFASCO Health & Safety want you to be prepared for every adventure.  That is why we have created some helpful articles and videos that will educate, inform and remind all of us about some of the potential health & safety concerns you should prepare for this summer including:  

The most common summer camp injuries

Protecting children from heat-related illnesses

Best practices and tools for enforcing pool safety

How to clean up bodily fluids from pool surfaces

Take a look at a few of these common search topics.  You will see both products and helpful articles displayed in these results:

• Summer
• Heat
• Outdoor
• Camping

Use our main search found above the site navigation to search for content yourself.

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While summer is in full swing, families are enjoying their summer break. Before too long however, it will be "back to school time". Summer is the perfect time to plan and prepare for the next upcoming school year.  With this in mind, we wanted to highlight 3 important areas you and your child should plan for and discuss.  Spend a minute and learn about school health, first aid and safety.

Back to school first aid

Parents want to keep their kids healthy and safe while in or out of school. While we can't always be there with them, we can teach them to deal with these problems while they are away from us.  This section will detail the most common injuries at school, and how to treat them. Cuts and scrapes are at the top of the list. According to CheckYourHealth.org, “Two-thirds of elementary school injuries occur during recess.” The majority of these injuries are small injuries like cuts and scrapes.  The best way to treat small cuts and scrapes is to clean the affected area with warm water and soap and place a bandage on the injury.  

The next most common injuries are sprains and strains. As school starts, so begins the after school activities and their potential injuries. Sprains and strains can happen in many ways, but generally they come as a result of improper stretching and overexertion of muscles and joints. Some light stretching and warming up before the action can help prevent injury. If an injury does occur, it's best to stop the activity and get the injury looked at by a trainer or doctor. The Mayo Clinic says to rest up, ice and elevate the injured area. 

School Health

Probably the most common issue is school health.  When you have hundreds of kids in the same place, sickness can spread quickly.  Illnesses like the common cold, flu, sore throat, and stomach flu can be spread from school to our homes in no time. According to the Center for Disease Control there are 4 simple ways to avoid school related illness. First and foremost get vaccinated. The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season. Second, practice good health habits. For instance, stay home when you're sick. The spread of germs from an infected individual happens most easily when you are close to the infected person. Third, use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze to avoid contaminating those closest to you. Lastly, and maybe most important school health tip is to wash your hands. This works for the sick and the healthy alike. Stopping the spread of germs by washing your hands is crucial in keeping sickness at bay.

School Safety & Preparedness

With the number of kids at school and potential for minor cuts and scrapes, it's always wise to be prepared individually. With so many first aid options today it's very easy to provide children with simple first aid supplies in a personal first aid kit. A good example of a personal first aid kit can be found here.  This kit can be kept in a backpack, desk, or locker. Besides having a personal first aid kit, other items to consider: hand sanitizer, tissues, and depending on if your child has allergies some over the counter allergy tablets. All items that are brought to school should be approved by teachers and school staff. This way they know what's being brought into the school and it can be monitored. Having a list of items and a plan, can make sure everyone involved is able to help keep children safe and ready to learn.

Every parent wants to see their child happy, healthy and safe while at school.  Spend a few minutes with your child this summer and talk about what to do if they get injured, how to prevent the spread of germs and then get a personal first aid kit.  Why not make it fun and let them make it themselves!

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The contents of a first aid kit are like fresh fruit, over time they begin to get stale and eventually the unused items need to be thrown away and replaced with fresh supplies.  Today we are going to share 10 Clues why you need to update your first aid kit.  These are not in any particular order.  Keep in mind, regardless of the container you are using, these 10 clues apply to every first aid kit.

1.  Screw caps (shared items)
Any item that can be resealed is suspect.  You should be concerned if your first aid kit is being used by more than just you.  The potential for cross contamination by sharing ointment tubes, liquids with brush tip applicators, pain relief tablets or even eyewash with a screw cap have potential risks. Only use single use items for first aid kits that are shared among others.
 
2.  Yellowing packaging
Many items like bandages or gauze are packaged in a paper like wrapper.  Over time they begin to yellow, revealing their age.  Most of these items are sterilized through radiation after packaging.  Yellowing usually is a sign that the package/wrapper is failing and it is time to throw it away.  

3.  Rusted or damaged container
The container used needs to be able to be sanitized.  Rusty, dirty containers should be cleaned and sanitized so they can keep the contents safe.  Hinges, shelves and other parts of the container help seal out contamination.  If your container is rusty get a new one.

4.  Old fashion treatment methods
Time offers new technology to better treat wounds.  It also reveals old outdated treatment methods that we learn are not safe.  Items like Merthiolate which were common place 20 years ago are actually banned in some states.  If the packaging says "Allow blood to spurt 3 times before tightening" throw it away!

5.  Expired products
If it looks old get rid of it.  If it is a liquid or any type of topical product and there is no expiration date, throw it away.  Look over every package for expiration dates.  All outdated items should be discarded.

6.  Unsafe items
Especially for shared first aid kits, things like reusable splinter picks, tourniquets, eye loop magnets and the like are all unsafe and should be reserved for trained health care personnel.  A picture is worth a thousand words.  If you don't recognize what it is for, question if it should be in your first aid cabinet.

7.  Contaminated products
Some first aid supplies are shared among workers.  Any sign of blood or questionable fluids should be considered infectious and not safe.  Universal precautions should be taken, the contaminated item(s) should be discarded and the container should be sanitized.  

8.  Partially used products
People will tear open a single use item, use a portion and then leave the rest in the first aid kit.  Any single use first aid item that has been opened, damaged or shows any sign of tampering needs to be thrown away.
 
9.  You have not checked it in the last 6 months
We actually recommend you check your first aid kit more often that that, especially if there is a concern for expiring products.  Find a regular time to inspect, organize and restock your first aid kit.

10.  When your first aid kit is a 1936 "Lone Ranger first aid kit"
A little tongue and cheek here but in all sincerity, look at your container and supplies.  If they look old, unsafe or simply scary, update your container and or supplies.

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As the summer temperatures rise, everyone should know the answer to the question, “What is heat illness”.  Our lives and health depend on it.  We have all been stuck in the heat at one time or another. Most of the time it is an inconvenience but if caught off guard, that inconvenience could be a life threatening occurrence. The CDC recently reported over 3,000 "excessive natural heat" deaths occurring between 2006 and 2010.  These were people who were not able to help themselves or weren't aware of the severity of heat illness they experienced. Let's take a look at the points below so we will know the signs of heat illness, what they mean and how we can prevent them.

Signs of heat illness

The human body is amazing. It is designed to help cool itself when it over-heats. Yes, the body normally cools itself by sweating. While Americans spend millions of dollars each year to prevent sweating, our bodies are designed to do just that. When we sweat, the body cools itself by allowing air to move across the sweat, causing evaporation, helping cool the skin. It’s like a natural air conditioner. Excessive heat can overload the body’s ability to allow sweat to evaporate, leading to heat illness. Listed below are 5 symptoms related to heat illness. If you are over-heated and experience any of these symptoms, you could be experiencing heat illness.

• Irritability
• Sweating & rash
• Muscle spasms
• Weakness
• nausea & vomiting
• headache or lightheadedness

What is happening to our body when exposed to excessive heat? Our bodies often tell us when something is physically wrong. In the case of heat illness, we see some of the symptoms listed above.  Those are outward signs of heat illness. Inside our bodies, heat illness is causing the following:

• Brain - Chemicals in the brain get out of balance, impairing judgement and causing irritability
• Heavy sweating - leads to rashes, blocked sweat ducts reducing the ability for the body to sweat and naturally cool itself.
• Central Nervous System - Extreme heat slows down the brain, nerves and spinal cord. Your system gets depressed causing us to feel lazy.
• Hyperthermia - Our body overheats causing spasms in our muscles. When we sweat, we sweat out sodium.
• Kidneys - vital body organs including the liver are affected. The kidneys expel toxins in the body through our urine but excessive heat causes the body to conserve these fluids in your body.
• Circulation - blood vessels get wider to help shed heat causing our blood pressure to drop. Our heart beats faster to try and move the blood but we don’t have more blood to pump. It’s like widening a river, the current (circulation) slows down.

What can we do to prevent heat illness?

In just about every case, heat illness can be prevented if we take the proper precautions. As we mentioned in the beginning of this article, our body naturally cools itself by sweating. As we continue to sweat, our body sheds vital water. When this occurs, it is vital that the following points be followed to prevent heat illness from taking it's toll. 

• Drink fluids - As much as 75% of the body’s weight is made up of water.. keeping our bodies “topped off” with water or electrolyte drinks mixed with water will help keep our system hydrated, allowing our brain, circulatory, muscles and vital organs to operate and help respond. Always drink plenty of water to keep your body fluids hydrated. If we don't drink fluids, we can't replenish the fluids that are lost from sweating or general dehydration. 
• Rest - Resting allows our body to focus on rehydrating ourselves. Recovery can occur quicker as our system replenishes the needed fluids our bodies need. Physical exertion causes more strain on your body to supply blood and oxygen in a stressed environment. Let your body recover from the heat. 
• Shade - The sun won't help cool your body. get out of the direct sun and under some shade. If possible, seek shelter where there is air conditioning. Shade will allow your body your body cool by getting out of the heat and rest in a cool place while you recover. 

Summer heat doesn’t have to be a killer. Use common sense and be sure to stay hydrated. Watch for signs of heat illness and when you have identified any, take them serious and respond accordingly.

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No

This is the time of year when we must be reminded about basic hydration facts. As the summer temperatures continue to climb, the risk factor of over-heating increases. We have included a brief video that talks about heat stress, hydration and why it is so important. We've also included a few facts about hydration that may surprise you. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with hydration facts and how you can prevent heat stress or severe injury as you work outside.

First, let's clarify what we mean by hydration. Your body is made up mostly of fluid. Your brain is actually 85% fluid. When your body loses just 2% through perspiration or dehydration your performance is impaired. It get's worse as you lose more fluids. Rehydration can be as simple as drinking water.

Second, your body is chemically balanced with important nutrients to keep you healthy and functioning properly. When you lose body fluids through dehydration or perspiration your body chemicals get out of balance. Potassium and magnesium are just two important nutrients that need to be replenished by your body but it takes time. These nutrients are the fuel that keeps your body operating but when these levels drop you can experience a lack of energy, muscle spasms or even dizziness. These are all signs that our electrolyte levels are low.

Lastly, when we are expending our body energy through work or exercise, pay close attention to your hydration levels. Your body will produce the necessary nutrients naturally but if you get dehydrated, an electrolyte replenishment drink might just be what you need. A product like Sqwincher is specifically designed to aid in the replenishment of electrolytes in your system. It contains 50% more potassium and 50% less sodium than other electrolyte drinks. Why is hydration so important? Do you experience headaches when you exercise? Are you experiencing difficulty concentrating while on the job? Hydration (fluid replenishment) of the body can be a factor in how your body performs. Take a look at these hydration facts and see where you fit in your over-all hydration health.

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No

"How to Sanitize and Organize Your First Aid Kit" is second in a three part series  showing you how to inspect, sanitize and restock your first aid kit.  In this article, we use a standard 4 shelf industrial first aid kit as an example but the principles can be applied to any first aid kit.  See our "How To" section for more articles.

If you are following our "How-To", you should have already inspected the cabinet for damaged, partially used or unsafe products and thrown those away.  Any expired products would be discarded as well.  Those steps are critical to properly maintaining a first aid cabinet.  Once done, we can then sanitize our cabinet using a simple 3 step process.

1.  Empty the cabinet 1 shelf at a time.  Place the items you are removing temporarily on another shelf or on top of the cabinet.  This is a great opportunity to once again check for any scraps or items that do not belong there and discard them.  Keep in mind that you may have missed some expired or unsafe products.  It is common for first aid kits to have too many products on each shelf and items get overlooked during inspection because they are hidden behind other items.  Keep track of where the items came from.  A simple trick is to take the items on the top shelf and set them on the bottom shelf, keeping them in the same order.


2.  Use a real sanitizing disinfectant spray to sanitize the shelf.  We like a combination cleaner/disinfectant spray like Dispatch Disinfectant because it not only disinfects, but it also cleans.  Take a look at our other cleaners and disinfectants here.    We have several products that are perfect for this task.  Notice how we have never used the word "Clean" to describe this step?  Our goal isn't just to clean and tidy, but to sanitize.  Think about it.  People who are bleeding or sick open the cabinet and handle the supplies.  We want to ensure that the cabinet is safe from any contamination.  We want to reduce any potential cross contamination.  

Be sure to wear protective gloves made from vinyl, latex or nitrile while you sanitize.  Work one shelf at a time, spraying the cleaner, waiting a minute and then using a paper towel to wipe is down.  The foam cleaner will help remove dirt and debris while the disinfectant does the sanitizing.

It is important to remember that germs from the common cold or flu can be spread quickly and easily from doors, handles and even first aid kits.  Don't forget to sanitize the outside of the cabinet as well.  Be sure to sanitize the latches, snaps, handles, front facing door and any other area including the shelves of your first aid cabinet to prevent the spreading of germs.

It might be necessary to use a good degreaser cleaner for the dirt as some of these germicidal sanitizing sprays are not designed to cut through grease.


 3.  After you have sanitized the cabinet, place the items back, organizing them in their correct places.  Again, use this opportunity to look over the products for expired dates or other reasons why you should not put the product back in the cabinet.  If you have a checklist, use it to help you place the items back in the correct order. 

If this is your first time organizing your cabinet, consider grouping your supplies so similar items are together.  Keep the gauze with the gauze, bandages with the bandages and medicines grouped together as well. Ultimately, you will want to use a checklist to make this task fast and easy.  MFASCO Health & Safety has checklists, refill supplies and all of the sanitizing supplies you need to help sanitize and restock your first and kit .

Your first aid kit is now ready to be restocked.  Notice that there are empty spaces in the picture displayed here?  Sometimes, empty cartons will be thrown away by others.  When you visually inspect your cabinet, it may be difficult to remember what was in that empty spot.  Your checklist will always help you keep your cabinet organized and in the same order each time you finish maintaining your first aid cabinet.

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No

Running a summer camp means taking responsibility for the health and safety of a large group of children. Combine kids' unpredictable behavior with the great outdoors and the act of preparing for all possible emergencies might seem daunting. There are ways to ensure a camp is ready to take responsibility for its campers.

First, make sure to have the appropriate supplies. A properly maintained and stocked medical facility is essential for a prepared campground. Smaller, movable first aid kits should be utilized as well. Make sure the staff is trained on how to use most medical supplies.

When it comes to knowing what to stock up on to maintain these facilities, history can be an excellent teacher. Here are the most common types of summer camp injuries and steps camp leaders should take to prepare for them:

1. Illness
Kids get sick. Even during warm months, children are likely to contract some kind of illness when they are surrounded by other kids. According to the American Camp Association, there are almost twice as many instances of illnesses at summer camps as there are physical injuries. To prevent outbreaks at a camp, warn parents about the possibility of infectious illness and encourage sick kids to skip a session until they are better. Don't let sick counselors work. In addition to bandages and ointments, a camp needs plenty of medication to fight colds and flu. Make sure to rotate the supply - don't use the same bottle of pills for too many summers as they do have an expiration date and will lose potency.

2. Falls and collisions
 Campers are going to fall down. The CDC found falling is responsible for over 50 percent of nonfatal injuries in children. When there are trees, pieces of recreational equipment or any other high places kids can climb, gravity is always going to be a concern. Kids could also get banged up playing sports or just running outside. These activities usually lead to minor injuries, but they are injuries that need to be dealt with.

Supervision seems to be the key, but even supervised kids just need a moment to take a tumble. Nationwide Children's reported most injuries happen during camp activities that are supervised. It is important that when inevitable bangs and bruises pop up, there are protocols in place to deal with them. Supervising counselors should be equipped with personal first aid kits that include the basics, such as bandages, ice packs and other medical supplies for minor injuries.

3. Cuts 
The ACA said cuts from sharp objects represent about 15 percent of injuries at summer camps. It's not just the kids getting injured - a large number of that group are counselors cutting themselves while working in the kitchen or preparing activities. Knives can be an important tool for a campground, so they can't always be prohibited.

A camp needs to stress knife safety. Kids who use utility knives for outdoor activities need to be strictly supervised and taught how to handle a knife properly. Counselors should be reminded of practical safety guidelines as well. In the event a cut does happen, disinfectant liquids and creams need to be available. These should be rotated more often than other medication as they tend to expire more quickly.

4. Rashes and bites 
 Summer camps take place outside and nature comes with some given hazards. As campers walk through the brush and foliage, they might be exposed to a plant that irritates skin or an animal with a dangerous bite. Instruct children how to take care when infringing on an animal's territory. Provide bug spray to prevent the intrusion of annoying pests. When exposed to outdoor toxins, a camper must be treated immediately. Keep the necessary ointments and medications on hand. In the event of a bite from a snake, use a snake bite kit and then transport the camper to a hospital. Make sure to log all injuries so future camp leaders will be aware of what types of plants and animals to look out for.

5. Burns
 Where there is a camp, there is a campfire. Burns account for a large number of summer injuries. When outside, children might not feel the same caution about handling flames as they do when indoors. Steps should be taken to prevent minor burns and more severe consequences like forest fires.

Fire safety needs to be taught by camps that make use of open flames. Campers should be prohibited from starting a fire without supervision and should be introduced to the proper practices for lighting, maintaining and cooking with a campfire. Portable first aid bags should have burn treatment kits with dressing and spray.

Other possible injuries include those that would traditionally be found with kids during the summertime, such as sunburn, heat stroke and sprains from running around outside. By taking steps to prevent and treat all summertime injuries, a campground can continue its business of being a fun vacation getaway.

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No

Ironman or other superhero type people might be able to avoid injury but for thousands of Americans, cuts and scrapes are a daily event. The Bureau of Labor & Statistics reported there were over 70,000 cuts (lacerations) that caused days away from work.  Based on these statistics and our personal experience, sooner or later we will cut ourselves. When we do get cut, the Mayo Clinic recommends these 7 things you should do right away. 

1. Stop the Bleeding
When treating a cut, stopping blood loss is extremely important.  Apply consistent pressure using a clean cloth or a sterile bandage if available. If you have a first aid kit, use folded gauze pads or a blood stopping bandage. Serious lacerations should apply pressure for 20 - 30 minutes, allowing blood to clot. If you continue to bleed seek medical attention immediately.

2. Clean the wound site
After the bleeding has stopped, clean the wound with water. Avoid cleansers or soaps as these can irritate the skin or wound site.

3. Apply an Antibiotic ointment
After the bleeding has stopped and the wound has been cleaned, apply antibiotic ointment. This will not only keep the surface moist but will prevent minor bacterial skin infections. Name brands like Neosporin work fine but there are also generic ointments that do the same thing for a lot less.

4. Cover and protect the wound
Bandages do several things including protecting the wound from dirt. They also provide protection from bumping or exposing the wound site to dirt or bacteria. Bandages also absorb fluids that may drain or weep from the wound site. Be sure to change the dressing regularly if it becomes soiled, wet or dirty.

5. Watch for Infection
Even when we do all of the right things while we treat our wounds, they can still get infected. Watch your wound for infection which can include redness, pain, swelling, drainage or a warm feeling. See our list of when you should call your doctor after you get cut below.

6. Get a tetanus shot
If you can't remember the last time you got a tetanus shot, you probably need to get one. Doctors recommend getting one every 10 years or so. You wound may require getting a tetanus booster so be on alert for pain, swelling or other signs of infection.

7. As recommended by FamilyDoctor.org, seek medical attention if any of the following occur: 

• The wound is jagged 
• The wound is on your face 
• The edges of the cut gape open 
• The cut has dirt in it that won't come out 
• The cut becomes tender or inflamed 
• The cut drains a thick, creamy, grayish fluid 
• You start to run a temperature over 100°F 
• The area around the wound feels numb 
• You can't move comfortably Red streaks form near the wound 
• It's a puncture wound or a deep cut and you haven't had a tetanus shot in the past 5 years 
• The cut bleeds in spurts, blood soaks through the bandage or the bleeding doesn't stop after 20 minutes of firm, direct pressure

As mentioned above, keeping a fully stocked first aid kit  on hand and ready to use will help treat your cuts and scraped quickly. Modest kits that have all of the necessary supplies can cost as little as a few dollars. Be prepared for cuts and scrapes this year and follow the 7 steps when you get cut.

MFASCO has every type of bandage need for your cuts and scrapes!

 Whether you are looking for food safe bandages or bulk bandages, we can help you find the bandages for your needs. Call or email us and we will be glad to help. We have the products in stock and ready to ship the same day you place your order. 

• Strip bandages
• Bulk Bandages
• Fingertip Bandages
• Knuckle Bandages
• Extra Large Patch Bandages
• Spot & Junior Bandages
• Detectable food Service Bandages
• First aid kit bandages 

We're here to help.  Give us a call!

Call, chat or email us and we will be glad to help. Adhesive bandages help stop bleeding and protect wounds from dirt and infection.  Be sure your first aid kit is stocked with a good selection of bandages.

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No

Take a look at the new Johnson & Johnson Band-Aid Brand gauze products we now have in stock!  They are the leading product of choice for many health care professionals.  When it comes time to treat minor cuts, scrapes and burns, unique and very effective J & J products are ready to be applied.  MFASCO Health & Safety has been selling J & J products for decades but has recently re-introduced 3 of their gauze family products and we thought we would briefly share why their gauze pads, sponges and rolls are superior to other brands.  

Johnson & Johnson Gauze Pads
J & J Gauze pads are softer because of their 8-Ply, pillow soft gauze.  It is also 20% more absorbent that other pads thanks to their newly re-designed "Quiltvent" technology.  This new technology helps pull away fluid from the wound, keeping it clean and dry.  

Johnson & Johnson Mirasorb Gauze Sponges
J & J gauze sponges are ideal for cleaning wounds and now are manufactured with a "low-lint" design.  These are ideal for minor cuts, scrapes, burns and applying ointments.  Because of the low-lint design, less irritation is caused during wound cleaning.  Best of all, the Mirasorb is ideal as an absorbent gauze dressing.  Johnson & Johnson's "Quick-Loc technology absorbs fluids quickly, allowing the wound to stay dry.

Johnson & Johnson Kling
J & J Kling sterile gauze rolls are designed for bandaging cuts, burns, scrapes or to protect a wound or sensitive skin.  Kling stretches, conforms, and secures without clips, tape or pins. Kling even incorporates their pillow-soft padding which is low-linting and instantly absorbing!

 

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No

Research has already been conducted showing solvents, cleaners, chemicals and other potentially toxic materials are harmful to our skin. 13 million workers are exposed to potentially harmful disorders and skin diseases every year. Skin is our bodies natural layer of protection from disease and infection. When we compromise our skin, we have a much greater chance of infection and even life threatening diseases. This brief article is designed to build awareness of how important our skin is and how we can protect it while we are at work.

Even though our skin is a natural barrier to protect us, personal protective gear designed to keep our skin safe may be necessary. PPE will help reduce exposure many of the contaminants that can make us sick. Our skin can absorb contaminants into our system and make us sick. That is why clothing like gowns, sleeves and jackets can help protect our skin at work. Without the proper protection, workers are put at risk for diseases like “contact dermatitis” which is induced by chemical exposure to the skin. As a matter of fact, 10-15% of all occupational illnesses are contact dermatitis. This billion dollar problem continues to affect millions of workers every year. We believe that engineering out the hazards are the best solution. Personal protection equipment is another means to help reduce Contact Dermatitis and other skin conditions.

Pre-work barrier creams are another option. Used properly, pre-work barrier creams can also be an effective means to protect our skin. Europe has already mandated pre-work creams be included as part of a skin health program. Even our own federal agency that protects workers health & safety states that "pre-work barrier creams may be useful for some employees who work with metalworking fluids”. Workers that have worn protective clothing will attest to the difficult conditions brought on by heat and sweating caused by some PPE. Pre-work protective barrier creams are a nice option that offer added protection from contaminants and chemicals causing skin irritation and the comfort it offers the worker is impressive.

It is important that the employer and worker carefully read MSDS data and other documents that will help determine what type of PPE or protective cream to use for each job application. All warnings and instructions should be reviewed to determine any risks. Many companies all over the United States regularly use pre-work protective creams as a regimented part of their work processes. They can help reduce risks for skin irritation and keep your employees productive at work.Take a close look at the pre-work protective creams here.

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No

Knowing the difference between a cleaner, disinfectant or sanitizer is important for your safety. They are not all the same and selecting the right one for the job is important to your health and safety. Whether it is for home use, at work or even in a healthcare setting, we are constantly surrounded by dirt, germs, bacteria and even some potentially infectious diseases. This is nothing new but we can help prevent sickness and cross contamination by properly treating the means by which they spread. Each of these 3 types of products are all designed for specific purposes and this article will briefly outline what they are.  Common questions about the use of these products and their applications are also answered below.  

Here are the differences between Cleaners, Sanitizers and Disinfectants

  - Cleaners are designed to remove dirt, oils, organic matter and even some germs. They are not designed to kill germs.
  - Sanitizers are specifically designed to reduce germs from surfaces to a safe level.
  - Disinfectants are designed to destroy germs or keep them from growing. They are not to be used as cleaners. After using a cleaner you can then use a disinfectant.

The Center for Disease Control has a good article about the proper use of cleaners, sanitizers and disinfectants.  We've addressed some of the common questions about this topic below.

Typical questions asked about cleaners, disinfectants and sanitizers

How to know what product you have? Read the label. These products will clearly tell you what their purpose is. The can of Lysol IC is clearly marked as both a cleaner and disinfectant. Reading the back of the can tells us that it is germicidal, fungicidal and crucial. It disinfects and kills MRSA. Disinfectants that claim to be effective against Staphylococcus aureus or staph are most likely also effective against MRSA. This is a great product to use to clean off dirt, grime, germs and even bodily fluids like blood from a first aid kit. 

Is it safe to use around pets or small children? Care should always be used when applying any poisonous materials around small children or animals. The product label will explain warnings and precautions when using their product. 

How long does the product need to be applied before wiping up? This is a very common question. Cleaners generally don't mention this but disinfectants and sanitizers will usually provide the length of time their product should set on the surface applied. In some cases it may need to set for several minutes. Be sure to read the instructions for application.

What should I do with the potentially infected rags, towels or paper products used to clean up? In most states, unless the potentially infectious material has enough volume where it is dripping from the absorbent material it can be disposed of in the garbage.

What personal protection equipment is necessary when using the product? 
Always use Universal Precautions when working with potentially infections materials. The manufacturers label will also inform you of what recommended personal protection equipment to use.   

What are examples of surfaces I should consider disinfecting?
Consider disinfecting any shared equipment such as keyboards. Hard surfaces like desks, counters, door knobs, handles and first aid kit latches are all places where germs and diseases can breed. Places like bathrooms should be disinfected on a regular basis. Also benches, chairs, escalator hand grips and keypad buttons like on an ATM machine are all targets germs. Even gas pump handles are common transfer points that contain bacteria and germs. Floors and walls have not beed directly associated with the spread of diseases like MRSA or staph but is is a good idea to disinfect any surface that comes in contact with the hands.

As always, proper hand washing and the disposal of personal protection equipment should be used.

0

No

Everyone loves a good vacation or change in routine. Traveling allows us to get away from the stresses of day-to-day life, and when you're taking in the sights from a plane, train, boat or car, it's easy to think nothing bad can happen. However, that sense of invincibility can turn against you if you're unprepared during your time away from home. To be truly prepared for unexpected situations when you're traveling, consider these four scenarios in which a personal travel first aid kit can make all the difference:

1. When you need to help others Even when you're being careful, others may not be. But with the proper first aid supplies, you may be able to help a fellow traveler in need. If no one else is around, of course your natural inclination will be to help, but make sure to protect yourself in the process. For example, in teaching first aid, the Boy Scouts of America always recommend wearing barriers such as non-latex gloves and protective eyewear when you may come in contact with another person's bodily fluids (such as when dressing a cut). Personal travel first aid kits come equipped with vinyl gloves so that you can help others confidently. 

  2. Feeling feverish  The old hand-on-your-forehead trick may help you identify if you're feeling feverish, but knowing your exact temperature is important when deciding what next steps to take. For example, when you're traveling internationally, you may be hesitant to see a doctor due to gaps in health insurance coverage or unfamiliarity with the landscape. The Mayo Clinic notes that a fever of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher should be a cause of concern for adults and may require immediate medical attention. Keep in mind that this number is lower for infants and children. A personal travel kit comes equipped with individually wrapped thermometers that allow you to make an educated decision about whether or not to seek medical assistance.



3. You get stung  Getting stung by a bee, wasp or hornet can put a huge damper on any trip. Not only can these pricks get rather itchy, but they also cause swelling and ongoing pain for a few hours. For those who experience a mild or moderate reaction to bee stings, a personal travel kit includes the necessary supplies to minimize pain and irritation. Not only do travel kits include multiple sting relief packets, but also a medication kit that comes with ibuprofen and diphenhydramine to lessen pain and allergy symptoms. While usually a person will only incur one or two bee stings, the Mayo Clinic advises that an individual who has been stung a dozen times or more may need medical attention. This is due to a buildup of toxic venom, and is particularly a danger for children and older adults. 

  4. You get injured  No one enjoys the prospect of getting hurt while they're on vacation, but when you, do the experience will only be worse if you have no supplies for addressing the injury. Personal travel first aid kits include gauze, scissors, adhesive tape and assorted bandages so you can dress cuts and burns. Whether you scrape your knee or accidentally cut yourself shaving, having a first aid kit on hand can make all the difference in treating minor injuries when you're away from home. No matter where you go or how you get there, make sure to be prepared when you travel by packing a personal travel kit.

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No

When the warm weather arrives so do the bugs. All kinds of insects are seeking food and we are included in their daily buffet. While we can’t completely prevent getting bitten or stung, we can take steps to reduce the potential for bites.  When we do get bit or stung by a bug, we should attend to them properly. Take a look at how to prevent and treat bug bites.

How to prevent Bug Bites

Insects are apart of our eco system. The are food for other insects, reptiles and small creatures and yet they too must eat and protect themselves. When you get bitten by a bug, they are either protecting themselves or looking for nourishment. Typical bites involve insects like chiggers, mosquitoes, fleas, spiders and flies.

WebMD recommends 6 ways you can prevent bug bites from occurring

• Apply insect repellent before going in an area where you will experience bugs 
• Wear light colored clothes that cover your body. 
• Avoid wearing scented lotions creams or any cosmetic or hair products 
• Keep car windows closed 
• When eating outdoors, don’t get your food out until you are ready to eat. 
• Avoid flowering plants

What is a bite or sting?

When we get a bug bite, most of the time the insects salivary fluid causing our skin to swell, turn red and become itchy. These are typical allergic reactions that can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. While most of these bites are harmless, great caution should be taken with small children and others who may be prone to having a severe allergic reaction. In rare cases, bugs can transmit diseases like malaria or the West Nile virus.

What should you do if you are bitten by a bug?

As mentioned, most bites are harmless. In rare cases you may need to seek medical attention. Call 911 immediately if you have been bitten and had a serious reaction in the past or have sudden hives, swelling in the face or have other symptoms like dizziness, difficulty breathing or fainting.

How to treat symptoms of bug bites

The goal is to relieve discomfort caused by the bite or sting. Medicines, salves, creams or sprays that help relieve itching, swelling or pain can be used as directed. Always pay attention to the instructions for use for any treatment and be sure to differentiate adults and children when any type of medicine is involved.  Adults and children respond differently to treatment so pay attention to the instructions. Allergic reactions must be taken seriously, seeking medical attention immediately as just stated above. For the less serious and more common reactions to insect bites WebMD recommends the following: 

• Removing any jewelry from the area of the bite or sting before swelling occurs. 
• Apply ice to the bit for 10 minutes, then remove for 10 minutes. Repeat this step. 
• Elevate the area 
• Take the appropriate pain relievers if necessary
• Take an antihistamine to help with swelling and itching 
• Apply calamine lotion or a mixture of baking soda & water to relieve itching.

0

No

During the summer season, people like to go swimming. If your facility offers a pool or other form of water recreation - such as a water park or hot tub - it is important you have the tools in place to keep your patrons safe.

When looking at water recreation safety, there are a few common incidents to prepare for.

Drowning Swimming is fun, but it can also be dangerous. The CDC listed drowning as the fifth-leading cause of unintentional injury death in the U.S. About 10 people die from drowning every day, and of those 10, two will be age 14 or younger. All institutions offering pools or swimming activities should take these steps to limit the risk of drowning:

Barriers - Barriers are especially helpful in preventing drowning injury to very small children. If you have a home pool, you should have some sort of fencing that separates the pool from the rest of the yard. Hotels and schools that keep their pools in separate rooms should restrict access using locked doors and scheduled hours of use. If possible, cover the top of the pool when it is not in use.

Prohibit alcohol - Facilities, especially water parks and vacation resorts, should restrict use of alcohol by guests. Even small pools, like hot tubs, can be a drowning risk if the victim is inebriated.

Offer swim classes - If a school or camp offers swimming activities, it should also provide instructors and swim lessons to help reduce the risk of injury.

Trained staff - A facility should employ lifeguards for its water recreation features. Lifeguards should be accomplished swimmers who are trained in CPR and other life-saving strategies.

Emergency equipment- Your staff should be trained on how to deliver basic first aid. Every pool should have first aid kits and larger facilities should have a medical station. It is important for floatation devices, like U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets, to be available. The CDC stated inflatable pool toys should not be treated as lifesaving devices.

Injuries Drowning is one of the most serious risks of using a swimming pool, but it is not the most common. The International Life Saving Federation found minor cuts, bruises and grazes were the most typical type of injury treated at public swimming pools.

The swimming pool has a number of hazards that can lead to minor injury. Slippery surfaces around the water edge and diving boards are two of the most common causes. Children might also scrape themselves against the walls or bottom of the pool.

The International Life Saving Federation found 45 percent of lifeguard first aid activity involved wound management. Bandages and gauze should be available, as well as disinfectants for open wounds. It is important to deal with bleeding quickly as to avoid infection.Twenty-five percent of injuries were treated with ICE (ice, compression and elevation). Ice packs are a necessity, especially in hot summer months.

Chemical accidents Pools use cleaning chemicals to prevent bodily fluids from these injuries, as well as other pollutants, from making the water unsafe. When deployed correctly, these chemicals kill germs, improve water quality, maintain equipment and prevent algae growth. Facilities should make use of chemical solutions but should be careful in doing so.

The CDC instructs facilities to be ready to handle chemicals safely. Rooms where chemicals are used and stored should be well-lit so that instructions are easy to read and follow. All products should be clearly labeled. There should be ventilation tools and secondary containment fallbacks in the event of spills.

People handling these chemicals should use the proper PPE to ensure their safety. Protective goggles and gloves should be common practice. Make use of respiratory masks, especially if chemicals are being handled in small spaces.

In the event of a spill, tend to it immediately. Close off the area if possible. Alarms and warning systems should be in place. Chemical showers and eyewash stations, or eyewash solution for mobility, should be available to staff and patrons.

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Choosing the right work glove for the job might seem to be a simple task but not all gloves are made the same or from the same material. As a matter of fact, work gloves are specifically designed for specific work applications. It is important for the employer and understand the potential hazards employees will face each day and provide the proper personal protective equipment for the job. A leather palm glove is not meant to be used for any potential chemical exposure yet that might be the only glove available? So, we know that no single glove will provide all of the needed protection for workers that have different job tasks and exposures. 

The National Safety Council has put together a nice list to help you choose the right glove type for your application as seen below. Looking over the list can help you choose the right work glove making your workers more productive and provide the safety they deserve. 

Cotton and fabric gloves: will keep workers hands clean and help protect against abrasions. Generally, these are not meant to withstand rough or sharp materials. 

Coated fabric gloves: Coated gloves provide protection against some chemicals. Be sure to look at the MSDS data for the chemicals you have to see if the glove coating type can withstand exposure to your specific chemicals. 

Rubber, plastic or synthetic gloves: These gloves are adequate for oils, solvents and some chemicals. 

Leather gloves: Leather gloves resist sparks and some moderate heat given off from welding applications. Wearing leather gloves can also reduce the risk of cuts and scrapes. 

Aluminized gloves: Designed for high heat environments like welding, furnace and foundry work, these gloves offer insulating and reflective protection. 

Kevlar gloves: The food industry relies on these cut resistant gloves. Other industries use these becuase they are cut and abrasion resistant in both cold and heat applications. 

Chemical/liquid-resistant gloves: Below is a list of chemical/liquid resistant gloves. Notice the materials vary based on the chemicals. 
Chemical Glove Types 

• Butyl rubber gloves: nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and peroxide 
• Natural latex/rubber gloves: water solutions or acids, alkalis, salts, and ketones 
• Neoprene gloves: hydraulic fluids, gasoline, alcohols and organic acids 
• Nitrile rubber gloves: chlorinated solvents

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No workplace first aid program should be without a comprehensive training program. It isn't enough to hang a first aid kit on the wall and let everyone know it is there. If your trying to figure out how to get a program started or improve the one you have, OSHA offers a guide to best practices of a workplace first aid program as a helpful resource.  In this fourth article on workplace first aid, we focuses on the basic elements of a comprehensive first-aid training program including teaching methods, being prepared, assessment, responding and refresher courses.  

Workplace First Aid Teaching Methods

Everyone learns best by hearing, seeing, and doing. Putting the knowledge and skills learned from a comprehensive first aid training program into practice is critical. Reading a book and taking a test does not address what it will be like in real life. Including knowledge and skills practice into training will ensure a well rounded learning experience. Trainees should learn about acute injury and illness as well as the correct response through using visual aids and actually practice those newly learned skills on training partners. As always, a good course book and resource materials will help trainees retain information. Allowing ample time for training and discussion helps promote confidence for all participants. Training should not only emphasize skills training and confidence-building, but also quick response to any first aid situation.

Being Prepared to Respond

Being ready to respond is one of the most important aspects of a comprehensive workplace first aid training program. Not only are we to find ways to prevent accidents from happening but when they do occur, we must be ready to act quickly. The workplace first aid program should include coordinating a response with the local EMS. They should know you are organized and prepared to respond while they are on their way. Keeping a current list of phone numbers for all local emergency response agencies available for everyone is important. Each first aid responder should also understanding the legal aspects of giving care. Check with your state legislation's Good Samaritan Law which deals with the liability issues that may be of concern. Training to respond also includes knowing the effects of stress, fear and panic and how they affect response performance. Lastly, being prepared to respond includes understanding the importance of practicing universal precautions for all responses that deal with bodily fluids.  This will help prepare the responder to be an effective resource in case of a first aid emergency.

Assessing the scene & victim

Workplace first aid training should teach the responder to be aware of the safety hazards in the environment where the accident has occurred. Running into a place where live electrical wires or other life-threatening hazards still exist will only cause more injuries. Determining how many are injured and who needs care first are all part of assessment. Calling for help and notifying emergency authorities is also included as part of a proper emergency response training procedure. Assessment continues to take place throughout the emergency response. The responder is constantly monitoring the environment to determine whether to move the victim to a safer area, preventing additional injuries.

Responding to Emergencies

A comprehensive first aid training program should be designed to address the needs of that specific worksite. Further training may be needed if or when changes are made to work processes or the environment. Responding to victims always includes calling for help, checking for responsiveness, maintaining an open airway, performing CPR if necessary, using an AED, recognizing signs of shock, monitoring changes in responsiveness, controlling bleeding and watching for other medical complications including stroke, heart attack, pain, impaled objects, pregnancy complications, seizures and more. This is where professional training from a reputable organization is valuable.

Refresher Courses to maintain skills and knowledge

Workplace first aid training will only remain effective when there are regular refresher courses offered. Annual certification and regular skill and drill runs are recommended. With the support of all workers and management, first aid training add another layer of health and safety to the workplace.

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This may sound like a silly question but have you been taking care of your skin? We’re all about taking care of our heart and lungs but did you know the skin is the body’s largest and heaviest organ? Most of us don’t really think of the skin as an organ but it is. Think of skin as your body armor which protects you from harmful exposure to the elements around us. That is why taking care of our skin is so important. This brief article is going to give you 6 reasons why taking care of your skin is so important. We will also provide several ways you can practice good skin care at home and work.

6 Things Your Skin Does 

1.  Your skin protects you from germs and infection -
Without your skin, all of the dirt, germs, grime and disease would have easy access to your vital organs. You would quickly die from an infection. Proper wound care allows your skin to heal (repair/regenerate) the wound site and once again continue to protect your body.

2.  Your skin protects you from the sun -
Sunlight also helps produce vitamin D in your skin. Our skin has special cells called melanocytes which produce and store pigment(melanin). When we are exposed to the sun for periods of time, the melanin pigment gets darker. In this way, melanin protects us form the suns UV rays.

3.  Your skin helps protects your bones and insulate -
The deepest layer of the skin is made up of tissue and fat that can help absorb impact from a fall. It protects the bones, muscles and joints from external impacts like a fall or when struck by something. It also serves to help insulate the body and keep it warm

4.  Your skin helps cool the body -
sweat glands are also part of the structure of the skin. These glands produce liquid that is spread over the skin to help cool the skin throughout he process of evaporation.

5.  Your skin diffuses water and nutrients throughout the body -
While it is like armor, our skin also helps to spread vital nutrients and fluids throughout our system, maintaining health.

6.  Your skin helps transmit feelings like pressure and pain.
The skin’s nervous system helps us feel pressure, pain, and thermal sensations like hot and cold. This serves as a natural warning system, preventing us from injuring our bodies.

Why Care?
OK, now imaging your body was not able to perform these duties because your skin was seriously damaged. When you damage your skin, your body looses the ability to perform some of these vital tasks. Exposure to chemicals and other contaminants can damage your skin. Poor skin care can lead to cracked skin that gets infected. That is why it is so important to take care of your bodies largest and heaviest organ.

What You Should Do?
We like the system that a well known manufacturer of skin care and protectant products recommends. Their 4 point system reminds us of why our skin is so important. Deb products says “Protect”, “Cleanse”, “Sanitize” and “Restore”. Think about it. Be sure to protect your skin from dangerous contaminants, chemicals and light. Always scrub and clean your skin at least twice a day. Be sure to use sanitizers when applicable and always moisturized your skin so it can do its job protecting you.

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Whether you're a teacher hosting an outdoor activity during the final days of the school year or a camp counselor leading an all-day nature hike, preventing heat-related medical problems is crucial on hot summer days. These conditions include sunburn, heatstroke, dehydration, heat cramps and heat exhaustion, all of which can be dangerous if not properly addressed. When you're in charge of a group of kids, preparing for the torrid summer heat is imperative to health and safety.

  Preparing for summer heat  
Before setting out on a summer excursion, ask yourself what items are needed to protect yourself and children throughout the day. If kids are going to be participating in something active such as a soccer tournament, having an adequate amount of water, drinks or chews with electrolytes, sunscreen and a source of shade will help mitigate heat-related risks. When you're planning such outings, make sure you have enough supplies for everyone in your group. For example, a camp counselor leading eight campers on a day hike should ensure beforehand that there is enough water and sunscreen to safely keep each camper hydrated and protected for the duration of the trip.

Keep in mind that hot weather and exercise combined will require more water for each person. If possible, having facilities nearby to refill water bottles is ideal. For workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Association recommends regular breaks in cool, shaded areas and having medical services available - this same concept should apply when supervising children.

When answering several common questions regarding dehydration for WebMD, Dr. Albert C. Hergenroeder, professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and chief of the sports medicine clinic at Texas Children's Hospital, explained that that dehydration is cumulative. As a result, parents should keep kids regularly hydrated day in and day out. Furthermore, children should acclimate slowly to activity on hot summer days.

"If you're going to send your kid off to tennis camp, they shouldn't be sitting around doing nothing in May and then going out to play tennis eight hours a day in June," Hergenroeder told WebMD.

Knowing the signs 
Being able to identify signs of particular heat-related conditions is critical when watching over children. Heat stroke, for children and adults alike, is a potentially fatal condition requiring emergency medical care. Symptoms of heat stroke include confusion, profuse sweating and fainting spells, among other signs. Dehydration or heat exhaustion may also include excessive sweating, as well as symptoms of dizziness, nausea, headaches, tiredness and thirst.

When a child experiences heat exhaustion, he or she should not do any more strenuous physical activity (sports, hiking, etc.) for the remainder of the day. If a child exhibits signs of dehydration, heat cramps or heat exhaustion, place him or her in a cool area and offer plenty of water and fluids. If available, provide cold compresses, towels or ice packs to help cool the child down.

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Treating injuries & Kit Fill List

A first aid kit is a box, bag or pack that holds supplies used to treat minor injuries including cuts, scrapes, burns, bruises, and sprains. More elaborate first aid kits can also include survival supplies, life-saving emergency supplies or convenience items like bug sting wipes or cold & flu medicines. 

Individuals who want to prepare for medical emergencies or if they have an injury will want to have the appropriate first aid supplies ready to use. The purpose of this article is to give you an idea of the types of injuries to prepare for and a list of the supplies used for each injury. There is a supply list for basic first aid kits that can be used for the injuries described. As always, when possible, seek medical attention for any serious injuries. 

Examples of Injuries and what first aid supplies to use

Trauma Injuries

Gunshot Wound - Pressure bandages, compressed gauze tourniquets, and latex free gloves are used to control bleeding. Stop the bleed packs contain both of these life-saving first aid products. 
Severed / Crushed limb - Tourniquet to stop hemorrhage/blood-loss 
Deep wound - Compressed gauze, abdominal dressing, compress bandage or blood stopping bandages are all used for deep wounds where pressure should be applied to control bleeding and keep out contamination from the wound. 
2nd & 3rd degree burns - Sterile water, water based gels saturated gauze and sterile gauze dressings are all used to help treat serious burns. They cool the skin, help reduce potential infection and in some cases relieve pain caused by burns. 
Broken Bone - Triangular bandage, splinting material, elastic bandages and first aid tape are all used to help treat a broken bone. For compound fractures where the bone is broken through the skin, sterile gauze, bandages for absorbing blood and even compress dressings can be used. This type of injury should be seen by emergency medical professionals immediately. 

Minor Injuries

Cuts & Scrapes – Adhesive bandages, butterfly bandages, antiseptics, gauze pads, first aid tape, and gauze rolls are all used to treat minor cuts and scrapes. 
Minor Burns - Burn sprays and  water-based burn gels  are used to help relieve pain and treat the burn. Try and avoid oils, butter or any petroleum-based ointments for minor burns. 
Minor Eye Irritations - Sterile eye irrigation solutions (eye wash) are used to rinse the eye from dust or dirt that may be irritating the eye. Simply use a single use bottle of eyewash and or an eye cup to rinse the eye. 
Sprains & Strains - A twisted ankle, sprained finger or wrist will require an instant cold pack to help reduce swelling and pain. Some injuries will require wrapping or splinting which involve the use of elastic compression type products and splinting material like tongue depressors or an aluminum, moldable splint. 
Eye injuries - A trained medical professional should see any injury to the eye. Often eye pads are used to keep the eye closed and or protect it from further injury. Do not try and remove any foreign object by yourself. Further injury to the eye could take place. 

Skin Care Related Injuries

Typical skin related ailments include sunburn, poison ivy, hives caused by allergic reactions and insect stings. Most of these are easily treated by the use of over the counter ointments. Burn gel is helpful for minor sunburn, while poison ivy can be treated with special medicated washed and creams. Bug bites are usually harmless and can be treated with bug wipes or an antihistamine like Benadryl. A doctor should see serious reactions that restrict breathing or involve swelling. 

Below we have included a list of basic first aid supplies that should be included in every kit. The types of injuries are listed above. 

Adhesive tape - helps in securing first aid dressings for minor wounds 
Instant cold pack - provides cold therapy to sprains and muscular injuries
Gauze Pads - sterile wound care dressing for minor cuts and scrapes 
First Aid Guide - Pocket guide and first-aid manual of instructions for treating first aid emergencies 
Sterile eye pads - for minor eye first aid emergencies 
First aid burn cream - cream treatment for burns, reduces pain and starts healing 
Gauze bandage - gauze roll bandage for dressing minor wounds and burns 
Triangular bandage - used for arm slings, head dressings, or to secure wound dressings 
Medical Gloves - Latex free medical gloves protect against potentially dangerous bodily fluids
Scissors - used for cutting first aid tape, elastic bandages, gauze or even clothing 
Combine Pad - Sterile, absorbent dressing to help stop bleeding and protect large wounds 
Adhesive Bandages - Latex free adhesive bandage dressings for minor wounds 
Elastic Bandage Roll - Cohesive bandage roll for supporting injuries and adhering first aid dressings 
Hand Sanitizer - Antibacterial, alcohol hand sanitizer packets for hand hygiene in the workplace 
CPR mask - Single use CPR mask protects the rescuer from hazardous bodily fluids 
Antiseptic Towelette - For cleaning and disinfecting of cuts and scrapes. It also helps to prevent infections in wounds 
Burn Dressing - Sterile, gel soaked burn dressings for minor skin burns 
Eye wash solution - Single use eye wash solution for removing dust and debris from the skin and eyes 
Antibiotic Ointment - Antibiotic ointment for the prevention of skin infections in cuts, scratches, and minor burns 

Additional Supplies:  
- Medications for pain relieve. Ibuprofen, or aspirin 
- Hydrogen Peroxide for cleaning wounds 
- Tweezers for splinters 

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We're here to help

We're available to help you find the right supplies for your first aid kits. If you have questions or need assistance refilling your first aid kit, give us a call at 800-221-9222 or visit our website at www.mfasco.com to use our free first aid kit refill tools.

 

First Aid Kits & Accessories

 

• Complete First Aid Kits
• Make a Custom First Aid Kit
• First Aid Kit Refill Packs
• First Aid Supplies

 

Additional Resources for First Aid Kits

 

• Why is first aid important?
• What is a first aid kit used for?
• How to inspect your first aid kit for expiration dates

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OSHA regulations say first aid supplies should be readily available in the workplace and cites the American National Standard (ANSI) Z308.1 "Minimum Requirements for Workplace First-aid Kits. Recently, ANSI updated the workplace First Aid Kits standard (ANSI Z308.1-2021) which goes into effect on October 15, 2022.

 

This article gets right to the point and addresses what has changed since the last standard in 2015, the complete list of required items, the type of kit you will need, how many you should have in your workplace, along with resources to answer your questions and provide guidance to help prepare your workplace to be in compliance. Every MFASCO brand workplace first aid kit meets or exceeds the ANSI Z308.1-2021 standard. We have resources and supplies to help you update your current first aid cabinets.

 

Use this quick links glossary to navigate the 2021 updates.

• What has changed since the last standard in 2015?
• What first aid supplies are required by the ANSI 308.1-2021 standard?
• Do I need a Class A or Class B first aid kit for my workplace?
• How do I determine what Supplies I need for my workplace? 
• How many first aid kits do I need in my workplace?
• Can other types of first aid supplies be included other than just the ANSI Z308.1-2021 list?
• How Do I Know What Container Type I Need
• Selecting Additional Products for the Work Environment
• Ongoing Maintenance of First Aid Kits
• Guidance For Bleeding Control Kits In The Workplace
• How Do I know if my first aid kit is ANSI/OSHA approved?

 

What has changed since the last standard in 2015?

First aid kit classifications remain the same with minor changes to the contents and quantities. Workplaces will still need to decide if they require a “class A” or “class B” first aid kit.  Changes for Class A First Aid Kits:

• The addition of a foil blanket
• Hand sanitizer quantity is increased from 6 to 10 packs

Changes for Class B first aid kits:

• Hand Sanitizer quantity increased from 10 packets to 20 packets
• The addition of a foil blanket
• A military-style tourniquet is now required in all class B first aid kits

The 2021 ANSI First Aid Standard also includes some helpful guidance.
In addition to the supply list for first aid kits, the new ANSI Z308.1-2021 standard includes greater guidance for separately packaged bleeding control kits. More on bleeding control kits can be found here: (provide a link) ANSI has also clarified what additional first aid products may be needed over and above the minimum requirement. Lastly, the new standard also includes helpful information about inspecting and maintaining your first aid kits as discussed in this helpful article and video. (provide link)

What first aid supplies are required by the ANSI 308.1-2021 standard?

There are two separate lists of supplies required; One for Class A and one for Class B(see lists below).

Class A Required Minimum Fill

16	Adhesive Bandage 1 x 3 in. (2.5 X 7.5 cm)	1	Eye/Skin Wash 1 fl oz (29.6 ml total
1	Adhesive Tape 2.5 yd (2.3 m), total	1	First Aid Guide
10	Antibiotic Application 1/57 oz (0.5 g)	1	Foil Blanket 52 x 84 in (132 x 213 cm
10	Antiseptic 1/57 oz (0.5 g)	10	Hand Sanitizer 1/32 oz (0.9 g)
1	Burn Dressing (gel soaked) 4 x 4 in. (10 x 10 cm)	2 pr	Medical Exam Gloves
10	Burn Treatment 1/32 oz (0.9 g)	1	Roller Bandage 2 in. x 4 yd (5 cm x 3.66 m)
1	Cold Pack 4 x 5 in. (10 x 12.5 cm)	1	Scissor
1	CPR Breathing Barrier	2	Sterile pad 3 x 3 in. (7.5 x 7.5 cm)
2	Eye Covering w/means of attachment 2.9 sq. in. (19 sq cm)	2	Trauma pad 5 x 9 in. (12.7 x 22.9 cm)
		1	Triangular Bandage 40 x 40 x 56 in. (101 x 101 x 142 cm)

Class B Required Minimum Fill

50	Adhesive Bandage 1 x 3 in. (2.5 X 7.5 cm)	1	First Aid Guide
2	Adhesive Tape 2.5 yd (2.3 m), total	1	Foil Blanket 52 x 84 in. (132 x 213 cm)
25	Antibiotic Application 1/57 oz (0.5 g)	20	Hand Sanitizer 1/32 oz (0.9 g)
50	Antiseptic 1/57 oz (0.5 g)	4 pr	Medical Exam Gloves
2	Burn Dressing (gel soaked) 4 x 4 in. (10 x 10 cm)	2	Roller Bandage 2 in. x 4 yd (5 cm x 3.66 m)
25	Burn Treatment 1/32 oz (0.9 g)	1	Roller Bandage 4 in. x 4 yd (5 cm x 3.66 m)
2	Cold Pack 4 x 5 in. (10 x 12.5 cm)	1	Scissor
1	CPR Breathing Barrier	1	Splint 4 x 24 in (10.2 x 61 cm)
2	Eye Covering w/means of attachment 2.9 sq. in. (19 sq cm)	4	Sterile pad 3 x 3 in. (7.5 x 7.5 cm)
1	Eye/Skin Wash 4 fl. oz. total (118.3)	1	Tourniquet
4	Trauma pad 5 x 9 in (12.7 x 22.9 cm)	2	Triangular Bandage 40 x 40 x 56 in (101 x 101 x 142 cm)

 

Do I need a Class A or Class B first aid kit for my workplace?

A workplace hazard assessment is an important step towards understanding if a Class A or Class B contents list best fits the type of hazards at your place of work. Look at the types of supplies and especially the quantities to determine which Class of first aid kit your workplace will need.

Class A first aid kits are designed to provide a broad range of first aid products to deal with the most common types of injuries encountered in the workplace. These injuries include minor cuts and abrasions, minor burns, and eye injuries. Think of your workplace injuries that have occurred as well as the potential based on the work conditions. Also, consider how often supplies will be used.

Class B first aid kits contain a broader range and quantity of supplies to deal with injuries encountered in a more populated, complex, and or high-risk environment. Consider the types of injuries your workplace has experienced as well as the potential type of injuries that may happen broader range and quantity of supplies to deal with injuries encountered in a more populated, complex and /or high-risk workplace environment.

 

How do I determine what Supplies I need for my workplace?

The ANSI Z308.1-2021 standard gives guidance to determine the types of supplies to make available in your first aid kits. Remember that Class A and Class B first aid kits contain the minimum requirements for your workplace. Your hazard assessment will determine if and what additional supplies are needed. Consider these 3 questions when conducting a Workplace Hazard Assessment:

1. What are the Hazards that exist?
2. What kinds of injuries have occurred or could occur in relation to these hazards?
3. What types of first aid supplies are needed to treat these injuries?

 

How many first aid kits do I need at my workplace?

Do not use the number of people to determine the number of first aid kits being placed at your workplace. Many first aid kit manufacturers assign a number of people their kit can supply. The ANSI Z308.1-2021 standard states in section C.2 "It is inadequate to base first aid kits and cabinets solely on the number of people in a work environment (i.e. 10-person, 25-person, 50-person or 100-person First Aid Kits)". When assessing risk, the proximity of first aid supplies in relation to each worker is imperative.

When conducting a workplace hazard assessment, consider placing readily available supplies within 3-4 minutes from the hazard. Convenience, productivity, ease of access, and response time are other factors in determining where and how many supplies should be kept. Injury victims with life-threatening external bleeding must be treated immediately at the point of wounding. These factors and others can help determine where your supplies should be placed at your workplace.

 

Can other types of first aid supplies be included other than just the ANSI Z308.1-2021 list?

Yes, Supplemental first aid supplies can be added. It is expected that additional types of supplies, as well as quantities, will be required based on the conditions and hazards of the workplace. The selection of such items should be based on the recommendation and consultation of a person(s) competent in first aid and aware of the specific hazards found in the workplace. As always, Federal, state and local requirements should be consulted, where appropriate.

 

The ANSI standard lists the following items as consideration where applicable.

 

OTHER FIRST AID SUPPLIES	PURPOSE
Adhesive Bandages of assorted sizes and styles	Effectively covers wounds of varying sizes located on various parts of the body (knuckle, fingertip)
Analgesics (oral and/or topical)/anti-inflammatory	Pain management; swelling control
Antihistamine (non-drowsy)	Allergic reactions
Aspirin, low-dose	Used to treat suspected heart attack
Electrolyte replacement	Heat-stress related injuries
Face mask, 3-ply, Level 1	Used for pandemic precaution >
Hemostatic agent/dressing	For individuals with compromised clotting or uncontrollable bleeding
Hydrocortisone	Itchiness and skin-related reactions including rashes
Splinter remover	Removing splinters
Surface disinfecting wipes (EPA approved)	Helps to disinfect surfaces that may contain harmful viruses such as the common cold, flu, or coronavirus
Thermometer, disposable	Able to determine the risk of transferring infectious diseases from worker-to-worker

 

Selecting Additional Products for the Work Environment

The ANSI Z308.1-2021 identifies two types of additional products to consider:

• OTC Medicines
• Seasonal first aid supplies

How Do I Know What Container Type I Need?

• Portability (Type II, III, IV)
• Wall Mounted (Type I, III, IV)
• Water Resistant (Type III)
• Water Proof (Type IV)

Realistically, your environment will determine what “Kit Container Type” you will need based on its performance. Will it be a portable kit stored in a construction site gang box? or maybe you need a large cabinet mounted to a wall?  Each of these types has an ANSI designated container “Type”.  Every ANSI-approved first aid kit is required to be identified by “Type” ensuring you are buying the correct type of container for your needs.

 

Ongoing Maintenance of First Aid Kits

First aid supplies should be inspected once a month or following a first aid incident when the product is used. It is important to keep your first aid kit restocked and ready to use. There are several maintenance-related tasks that should be considered during inspection including:

• Checking expiration dates
• Discarding any expired, damaged, or partially used supplies
• Organizing your supplies so they are easily identified and ready to use
• Restock all items missing or low in supply
• Disinfect and clean the cabinet/container surfaces and latches

MFASCO Health & Safety has an easy restock/refill feature for every workplace first aid kit we manufacture. Learn how to restock your first aid kit here. We use a simple 3 step approach to organize and reorder only the first aid supplies you need to stay in compliance. Always check ointments, liquids, and any other items that have expiration dates and don't forget to sanitize your first aid kit when you inspect your supplies.

 

Guidance For Bleeding Control Kits In The Workplace

Careful consideration should be given to providing designated bleeding control kits. These kits contain more advanced first aid supplies to immediately treat victims with life-threatening external bleeding and such. Unique packaging will enable a first aid provider to readily access supplies. Essential bleeding control items include:

• Chest Seal
• Compression Bandage
• Hemostatic Bandages
• Thermal Blanket
• Tourniquet

Related kit contents include:

• Gloves
• Permanent Marker
• Shears

The MFASCO GCAT5 Bleeding Control Pack provides all of these supplies in a compact well marked, portable pack.

 

How do I know if my first aid kit is ANSI Z308.1-2021 approved?

Kits must be labeled with the appropriate ANSI 2021 minimum requirement list.  Contents must meet or exceed the Class A or Class B list and kits shall be labeled to identify their class and type.   All of the MFASCO OSHA/ANSI kits meet or exceed the 2021 requirements.  
 

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