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SPECIAL OFFERS ONLINE IN AUGUST!
If you could make good use of some Safety Wash Bottles, or an Ultra-Hardtop One-Drum Containment Unit, or a Model 330I Pocket pH/MV Meter Kit (from WTW), or Envirotech Dusting Gas (from TechSpray), or a Digital Stopwatch (from Sper Scientific), or some Sqwincher® Activity Drink, all are available now at specially reduced prices when you go to: http://www.labsafety.com. Don't delay. Offer ends August 31, 2002.

IN THIS ISSUE...

WEST NILE VIRUS
WHAT'S BEHIND SAFETY ACRONYMS? 
FYI: AED BASICS
FYI: NEW COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE FACT SHEET AVAILABLE 
FYI: WEB-BASED TRAINING FOR EYE AND FACE PROTECTION  
SAF-T-TRIVIA

WEST NILE VIRUS

West Nile Virus has been making the headlines recently due to the increasing number of cases being reported and identified in the United States. However, this virus is not exactly new. In fact, West Nile Virus was first noticed in 1937 in the West Nile District of Uganda, and the first appearance in North America was back in 1999.

How is West Nile Virus Spread?
Infected mosquitoes spread West Nile Virus. Mosquitoes most commonly pick up the disease from infected birds, and go on to infect other animals while feeding on their blood. In a mosquito, the virus is found in the salivary glands, which mosquitoes use to anesthetize the skin of the animal on which they are feeding. Note: the virus cannot be spread by human-to-human contact.

West Nile Virus in Humans 
In the bloodstream of humans, the virus multiplies and crosses the blood/brain barrier. When this happens, the virus can cause West Nile encephalitis, a serious condition resulting in the inflammation of brain tissue. However, it is important to note that most people who become infected have either no symptoms, or only mild symptoms. Also, if a person does contract the virus, a natural immunity is developed that is assumed to last all their life.

Prevention 
While there is currently not a vaccine for West Nile Virus, the Center for Disease Control has advice for reducing risk of exposure. These include:

• Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening 
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors 
• Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET since mosquitoes may bite through thin fabric 
• Apply insect repellent to exposed skin. An effective repellent will contain 35% DEET 
• Always read and follow manufacturers directions when using repellents, and avoid applying repellents to the hands of children 
• Install or repair window and door screens so that mosquitoes cannot get indoors 
• Vitamin B and 'ultrasonic" devices are not effective in preventing mosquitoes

Reporting 
An unusual number of dead birds in an area may indicate the presence of West Nile Virus. While there are over 110 species of birds known to have been infected, the virus tends to be somewhat more lethal to crows and jays. State and local health departments are responsible for investigating reports of dead birds.

For more information on West Nile Virus, please check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at: 
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm 
For a listing of State and Local Government Sites
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/city_states.htm 
For a fact sheet on using insect repellents safety, please see:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/citizens/insectrp.htm 
For a selection of insect repellents, please see the following link to Lab Safety Supply's website:
http://www.labsafety.com/store/dept.asp?dept_id=4842

To Index

WHAT'S BEHIND SAFETY ACRONYMS ?

Many of the familiar acronyms in the safety industry stand for nongovernmental agencies that play important roles in industry oversight and the development of standards. Here are some thumbnail sketches of the most commonly known agencies.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a nonprofit organization funded by private membership and designed to develop voluntary standards. The standards are developed with input from businesses in the industries to which the standards apply. ANSI periodically updates these standards to keep up with industry changes and to add new information as it is discovered. ANSI has written standards for all types of industries-safety and health, petroleum, banking and many others. One of ANSI's goals is to make U.S. businesses competitive in the global market by providing standards from national and international sources.

The venerable American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) was organized way back in 1898. ASTM is a nonprofit organization that writes voluntary consensus standards and is funded mainly by the sale of its publications and standards. It sustains over 130 standard-writing committees, The committees are comprised of manufacturers, consumers and government officials. There are no formal testing or research facilities. Research is conducted by the more than 33,000 ASTM members. The organization publishes more than 8,500 standards annually in a 68-volume set.

Factory Mutual (FM) employs scientists and engineers to conduct tests designed to investigate various fire situations and ways to reduce loss. These scientists and engineers also conduct third-party testing on fire extinguishers, sprinklers, combustion safeguards, building materials, smoke detectors and many other products. The FM testing laboratory is recognized by OSHA.

As part of a system of third-party certification, FM visits facilities where products are made to ensure that FM specifications are being met. They also conduct continual reviews to assure that the quality of the products is maintained. FM publishes a 700-page guide which lists approved products, materials and services. They also maintain a training facility to promote understanding of loss control.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a nonprofit organization mainly involved in the development of over 280 consensus standards and codes. Some of the most important standards developed by NFPA are the National Electric Code (NFPA 70), Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), and Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code (NFPA 30). Many of these standards are accepted by government organizations like OSHA. Men and women of the business world serve as volunteers on standard-making committees.

The Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) is a private, nonprofit organization with third-party certification programs designed to test a wide array of safety equipment. Manufacturers of safety equipment voluntarily submit their products to SEI. The organization then tests the products to see if they meet the specifications outlined in current standards set up by organizations like ANSI, NFPA and ASTM. SEI does initial testing and conducts follow-up audits to ensure that the products remain up to code. Once a product is approved by SEI, the manufacturer can place the SEI certification label on it.

Underwriters' Laboratories Inc. (UL) has become the leading third-party agency for certification of product safety in the United States. Over 40,000 manufacturers have more than 70,000 products inspected and tested by UL each year. Once these products are certified by UL, they are privileged to wear the UL mark, one of America's best-known safety symbols. Product categories that UL tests include home appliances, electric signs and lighting fixtures, fire-fighting equipment and flammable liquid storage containers. UL has also published more than 600 standards, many of which have been accepted by ANSI.

For more in-depth information see EZ Facts® document number 100, Understanding ANSI, ASTM, FM, NFPA, SEI and UL. Go to: 
http://www.labsafety.com/refinfo/ezfacts/ezpdf/ez100.pdf.

To Index

FYI: AED BASICS

If you have an automated external defibrillator (AED) in your workplace, you probably already know how crucial these machines can be for saving lives in situations where every minute counts. Even so, to make sure that you have people prepared to operate your AED correctly when the need arises, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine has these recommendations for your AED program:

• Have a centralized management system so everyone knows what their job is in an emergency. 
• Have all programs under the control and direction of a qualified physician. 
• Coordinate with local emergency medical services. 
• Make the AED program a part of overall emergency response plans. 
• Access the facility for appropriate placement and number of AEDs and supplies.

For more information on AEDs, see EZ Facts document number 271: Automated External Defibrillators. 
Find it at: http://www.labsafety.com/refinfo/ezfacts/ezf271.htm.

For a selection of AEDs and related products, go to:
http://www.labsafety.com/store/product_group.asp?dept_id=4787&parent_id=76.

To Index

FYI: NEW COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE FACT SHEET AVAILABLE

OSHA recently issued a new fact sheet that highlights the agency's outreach programs. It provides a brief reference to the variety of compliance assistance and outreach tools available, focusing on Consultation Programs, Voluntary Protection Programs, Strategic Partnerships and Alliances, and Compliance Assistance Specialists located in each OSHA Area Office.

For a PDF version of the OSHA Fact Sheet, go to:
http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/compliance-assistance-factsheet.pdf.

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FYI: WEB-BASED TRAINING FOR EYE AND FACE PROTECTION

OSHA recently developed a new online training system that covers the proper selection and use of eye and face protection. In addition to information on selecting personal protective equipment, the training module discusses OSHA requirements for providing eye and face protection, and also includes a list of frequently asked questions on the topic. OSHA's eTools,http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/oshasoft/index.html, are stand-alone, interactive, Web-based training tools on various occupational safety and health topics.

You can find OSHA's eTool on Eye and Face Protection at:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/eyeandface_etool/index.html.

For a selection of protective eyewear, go to:
http://www.labsafety.com/store/dept.asp?dept_id=57

To Index

SAF-T-TRIVIA

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION:

Fire doors are classified by . . .?
A, hourly rating. 
B, number of vertical openings. 
C, number of horizontal openings. 
D, insulative material type.

The correct answer was: A, hourly rating.

This week's winner is Rick from Soquel, CA. Congratulations! He wins the Lab Safety Supply coffee mug!

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:

A lighting question this week: How many foot-candles is 65 Lux. . .?

A, 6.04 
B, 6.5 
C, 10.764 
D, 65

Submit your answer to SafTTrivia@labsafety.com by Monday, August 12th! We'll select one lucky winner from all the correct entries we receive. If you are selected, we will notify you by e-mail. Good Luck!

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