Do you remember what new federal regulation goes into effect on November 24, 2008? Federal regulation 23 CFR 634 goes into effect this Monday mandating that anyone working in the right-of-way of a federal-aid highway must be wearing high-visibility clothing that meets the requirements of ANSI / ISEA 107-2004 edition class 2 or 3.

High-visibility safety apparel is described as personal protective safety clothing that is intended to provide conspicuity during both day and night time.

The purpose of this new regulation is to decrease the probability of worker fatalities or injuries caused by motor vehicles and construction vehicles and equipment while working within the right-of-way highway.

Workers means anyone on foot within the right-of-way federal-aid highway including: highway construction and maintenance forces, survey crews, utility crews, emergency responders, and law enforcement personnel while directing traffic, crash investigations, handling of lane closures, obstructed roadways and disasters within the said area.

Emergency Medical Products is here to help you get your gear in order to be compliant with federal regulation 23 CFR 634. Check out these great Class 2 and 3 compliant parkas, jackets and vests:

Gerber Outerwear Response 3 in 1 Parka
Gerber Outerwear Medix 3 in 1 High Visibility Parka with Polar Fleece Liner
Gerber Outerwear Eclipse Jacket
Gerber Outerwear Thriller X Reversible Jacket
Gerber Outerwear Brite Star Vest
Gerber Outerwear Vision Quest Vest

Emergency Medical Products is an official Gerber Outerwear distributor. If you need a style of high visibility garments and/or clothing that you don’t see on our website please contact us via our Human Click (the smiley guy with “click here for a live person” link) on the EMP store website or at 800.558.6270 and one of the EMP customer service team members will be happy to assist you in finding what you need.

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) bloodborne pathogen standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030, requires that employers supply employees with proper instructions, equipment, personal protection equipment (PPE) and disinfectant to safely clean up body fluid spills. This OSHA safety standard applies to employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material.

Does this apply to you? Yes. Whether you work in law enforcement, EMS, a factory, hospital, doctor’s office, customer service, warehouse, etc. this applies to you. No matter how dangerous, mundane or completely rocking your work environment, this applies to you.

OSHA compliance would mean being provided with all the items necessary to properly clean up and dispose of any reasonably anticipated spill. As an employee you must be protected from:

The supplies needed to meet these OSHA regulations may be purchased as a biohazard spill kit or as individual items. However, it is usually best practice, more convenient and economical to buy spill kits as a whole instead from a reputable and respected source as opposed to piecing supplies together.

OSHA states that the PPE your employer provides should be based upon an employees reasonably anticipated exposure while performing a task or procedure. However, it is impossible to anticipate or predict the degree of exposure to every possible circumstance or situation that could arise.

Flu season is now upon us and it can and usually does sneak up on someone. What if that someone doesn’t make it to the restroom and now there’s vomit on the office or classroom floor? Who’s on puke patrol? Let’s say someone in the factory has an accident on the production line and now there’s blood in more places than you thought possible? Who’s on blood clean up duty?

Accidents can happen any time. Make sure you and your employer are prepared with an OSHA compliant spill kit and infection control supplies.

Sources: OSHA, Sharps compliance Inc.

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November Is American Diabetes Month®. Throughout the month the American Diabetes Association (ADA) will be working hard to raise awareness about the seriousness of diabetes and its potential complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputations.

Diabetes affects 7.8% of the American population, that’s 23.6 million people. Of that 23.6 million 17.9 million people have been diagnosed but the remaining 5.7 million people have yet to be diagnosed. Adults and children alike are susceptible to diabetes. This disease does not age discriminate.

What exactly is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease that causes blood glucose levels to be above normal. People with diabetes have trouble converting food to energy. The food you eat is broken down into a sugar called glucose. Your blood carries the glucose to cells throughout your body. Cells use insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas, which aids in converting blood glucose into energy.

How do you know if you could be at risk for diabetes? Check these risk factors:

The ADA provides a great Diabetes Risk Calculator allowing you to determine your risk of prediabetes or diabetes.

Do you have diabetes or someone close to you? Does your child have diabetes? Do they have a nurse at school to help them monitor their blood sugar? Take a moment to comment on how diabetes has affected your life.

Sources: USA.gov, American Diabetes Association

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