EPA plans unannounced inspection push
US EPA Administrator Michael Regan recently announced plans to bolster environmental enforcement efforts in communities that have been historically and disproportionately impacted by pollution. Most notably, EPA will “use its authority to conduct unannounced inspections of suspected non-compliant facilities.” To further protect historically overburdened communities, EPA announced additional actions as part of the Agency’s commitment to environmental justice, including: Deploying a new program to expand air monitoring capacity, utilizing assets such as the ASPECT airplane, GMAP mobile air monitoring vehicle, and additional air pollution inspectors to enhance enforcement. Mobilizing Agency resources to invest in community air monitoring to better protect people and public health in vulnerable areas. Increased monitoring and oversight of polluting facilities to hold companies more accountable for their actions. In a statement following his Journey to Justice tour, Regan emphasized that the Agency must act now, since overburdened communities have historically been neglected from Federal, State, and local action: “The pollution concerns have been impacting these communities for decades. Our actions will begin to help not only the communities I visited on this tour, but also others across the country who have suffered from environmental injustices.” In addition to the Agency-wide enforcement efforts, EPA is taking specific actions across Texas and Louisiana, such as piloting new air monitoring programs along three sections of Louisiana along the Mississippi River. The area is home to more than 150 chemical facilities, most within a 10-mile radius. In Texas, EPA has increased its focus on plants that manufacture ethylene oxide, a potentially cancer-causing compound used to make antifreeze among other substances. EPA plans to formally reject the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s less protective risk value for ethylene oxide as well. Environmental Justice in Recent EPA Enforcement Actions EPA has already put its environmental justice initiative to work through enforcement actions. On August 26, 2021, EPA announced a settlement with an oil company related to its facility in Montebello, CA. Montebello is about eight miles east of downtown Los Angeles, home to about 61,000 residents (according to the latest census data) and known for its oil reserves. As a result, the company agreed to pay a $132,676 civil penalty. This is an excellent example of why facility managers and compliance officers must always be vigilant of new and changing EPA priorities to help ensure that personnel is trained for any challenges they may face. DOJ to Hold Individuals Accountable for Environmental Crimes US EPA largely relies on administrative (i.e., non-criminal, civil) enforcement, reserving criminal enforcement for the most egregious cases. To discourage corporate environmental crimes moving forward, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is taking a tougher stance on individuals responsible for criminal acts. Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim made it clear that DOJ takes accountability for environmental criminals seriously, and so does recent enforcement history: In FY 2020, EPA’s enforcement and compliance assurance actions resulted in 247 new criminal cases opened. This is 77 more cases than the year prior and the most since 2014. Convenient, Effective Online EHS Manager Training Managing site compliance with the many complex EPA programs that affect your business—from the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts to TSCA, EPCRA, CERCLA, and more—is a major challenge. If you’re new to the field or need an update on changing EPA rules, online training is a convenient way to quickly build in-depth expertise. The Complete Environmental Regulations online course will prepare you to identify your site’s liabilities and responsibilities under major environmental laws and regulations. This course is ideal for new EHS managers, environmental consultants, and anyone who wants clarity about how complex environmental requirements fit together.
Kenzen climate tech names best new mobile app
Best Mobile App Awards has awarded Kenzen’s mobile app, which alerts workers when their bodies are under stress in hot conditions, its Best New Mobile App Award. Best Mobile App Awards judges review thousands of nominations and recognize new apps that are making big impacts. Apps are judged on usefulness, overall quality, uniqueness in the market, user interface, and design. The Kenzen app alerts workers when they need to rest, hydrate, and cool their bodies to prevent heat stress and fatalities in indoor and outdoor work environments. The app also alerts supervisors when workers are in danger. On-screen alerts indicate when an intervention is needed, and a second alert indicates when workers can safely return to the job. The Kenzen system is used by industrial companies in construction, manufacturing, firefighting, agriculture, utilities, transportation, and oil and gas. It is a SaaS system that includes a wearable device worn by workers that gathers physiological data that triggers alerts when the worker’s core body temperature is too high. The continuous monitoring system keeps workers safe and helps companies proactively manage risk and productivity. Data is used by Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) leaders to enhance heat safety across the company. The three views of data were designed by Kenzen to protect workers’ private health information.
KEEN Utility gives fresh update to Sparta 2 work sneaker
The new Sparta 2 is a fresh update on KEEN Utility’s core athletic work sneaker, designed for light industrial tasks, warehouse work, or any job requiring constant movement. Product highlights include a 2-layer engineered mesh upper that keeps the feet cool, KEEN.ReGEN midsole technology offers all-day cushioning and lightweight performance, and streamlined aluminum safety toes. Other safety features include an oil and slip-resistant, non-marking rubber outsole that is also EH-rated to provide underfoot protection from live electrical circuits. With an athletic-inspired silhouette, this responsive work shoe is ready to provide all-day comfort and protection. The Sparta 2 is available in several colorways for men and women.
Access Control Group launches AWARE Collision Avoidance System
Chaotic work environments, distracted workers, and equipment zooming through facilities such as distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, construction sites, or ports can cause collision risks. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry is responsible for more than 21% of all worker deaths in the U.S. while at the same time OSHA estimates forklifts cause 34,900 accidents that result in serious injury each year, costing a company from $38,000 to $150,000 for a single incident. Many such accidents could be avoided with the right equipment and training. Scalable Telematics provider Access Control Group is launching a proximity warning system to help companies protect their employees’ safety: AWARE, an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) based proximity system that measures the distance between moving objects and alerts both operators and pedestrians of approaching equipment. Additionally, UWB technology allows AWARE to penetrate most obstacles and operate around blind corners. Aware was designed to operate for the safety of pedestrians and mobile assets in material handling, construction, maritime, and distribution center industries. But unlike other collision avoidance systems, AWARE is an option you can add to our scalable telematics solution “Advanced” to avoid managing multiple gadgets and higher costs, while at the same time being able to track, measure, and report on equipment damage, productivity, and safety issues while additionally monitoring battery and fuel levels. How AWARE works When a wearable tag or a piece of equipment comes in the range of another piece of equipment, an audio-visual alarm indicator warns the operator. AWARE offers two settings, Alert and Alarm. After the initial 30 minute installation, the range settings can be adjusted from the system or the cloud to meet any specific requirements. The wearable tag is operated by a rechargeable battery that can last up to three weeks. Recharging can be done by simply placing the tag on a wireless charger.
New Hikvision Audio and Strobe Light AcuSense Camera helps deter crime and reduces false alarms
Hikvision, a manufacturer and supplier of security products and solutions, continues to build on its popular line of AcuSense surveillance cameras with the introduction of the new AcuSense Audio and Strobe Light Camera Series. The new camera series combines advanced machine learning with integral strobe lighting and audio warnings in a single unit providing an effective autonomous solution for deterring intruders. Unlike conventional security systems that rely on multiple devices for visual surveillance and visual and audible alerts, the new Hikvision AcuSense Audio and Strobe Light Cameras deliver an all-in-one solution. Equipped with Hikvision’s 2nd generation AcuSense intelligence, these new cameras help reduce false alarms by up to 90% by accurately classifying humans and vehicles, and filtering out innocuous motion events caused by animals, inclement weather, or foliage. Users can customize audio responses with pre-recorded audio messages that play at up to 60dB from a built-in speaker. The cameras come equipped with 10 audio sound options, with the ability to easily adjust the pattern and frequency of the strobe light. When an event occurs, Hikvision AcuSense Audio and Strobe Light Cameras also send instant event notifications to system administrators via the Hik-Connect App, available for iOS and Android platforms. This allows security personnel to view surveillance footage in real-time on a smartphone or tablet, and initiate two-way audio communication with trespassers within a radius of 49 feet (15 meters) of the camera, warning them to leave the premises. “With real-time visual and audible alarms and communications, our new AcuSense Audio and Strobe Light Cameras provide a powerful and automatic deterrence to criminal activity, while dramatically reducing false alarms,” said John Xiao, Vice President Marketing, Hikvision USA. “These new security solutions are ideal for protecting private residences, retail shops, warehouses, offices, and so much more.” Hikvision AcuSense Audio and Strobe Light Cameras are available in a fixed turret, fixed bullet, and speed dome configurations with resolutions ranging from 4 MP to 8 MP.
Prioritize safety with ARA’s new video series
The American Rental Association (ARA) just announced the launch of the Prioritize Safety monthly video series focused on essential safety tips for the equipment and event rental industry. The goal of the program is to make learning rental-specific topics quick, easy, and fun! Each video is no longer than two minutes in length and has a unique animation style that spans a variety of safety topics from personal protective equipment (PPE) and chemical safety to defensive driving. After an employee views the video, they will be presented with two questions to test their knowledge on what they just learned. The entire Prioritize Safety series is available in both English and Spanish and can be assigned to employees via RentalU, ARA’s online learning platform. Each month, a link to the new video will be sent out in an email. Email education@ararental.org to be added to the mailing list. The first video covers basic PPE, the importance of wearing it, and the consequences of not wearing it. Visit https://www.ararental.org/rentalu to sign into RentalU and learn more. “We are very excited to launch the Prioritize Safety monthly video series. These videos offer training that is easy for employees to access, takes only minutes to complete, and offers an entertaining spin to make the content more engaging. We hope our members have as much fun taking the training as we did creating it.” – ARA director of education, Lauren Watts.
Women In Trucking Association publishes Whitepaper on Same-Gender Training
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has published a new whitepaper, “Same-Gender Training Policy: Recruiting and Protecting Female Drivers.” Same-gender cab sharing during over-the-road training has been a primary concern of current and prospective female truck drivers. After receiving their commercial driver’s license, aspiring professional drivers typically accompany an experienced one on their route to become more confident, safer, and capable on the road, according to Ellen Voie, president and CEO of WIT. This not only could mean working exclusively with a stranger in close quarters for long hours during the day, but it also means the potential of needing to sleep in the same vehicle, said Voie. Some of the whitepaper outlines perspectives drivers hold specifically on same-gender training and its impact on female drivers in the industry. WIT conducted a driver safety and harassment survey to gain an understanding from professional drivers about their perceptions and experiences involving safety and harassment in the North American trucking industry. More than 430 professional drivers completed the survey from July through Sept. 2021. Given that 46 percent of drivers in the WIT study indicated that they have had an unwanted physical advance made toward them at least once and another 52 percent know of someone who had an unwanted physical advance made toward them, it is understandable why the prospect of cab sharing with a member of the opposite gender concerns many women, said Voie. The WIT survey found that while most drivers believe their truck cabs are safe, they also indicated knowledge of women falling victim to harassment or assault while sharing a cabin. “The Women In Trucking Association continues to press hard for companies to develop corporate policies that could help significantly shift this trajectory,” said Voie. There are a number of corporate policy recommendations on same-gender training that Voie recommends: Adopt a same-gender training policy that enables female professional drivers to have the option for a same-gender trainer when involved in on-the-road training activities. When having a same-gender trainer isn’t an option in instances involving female drivers, develop alternatives to help reduce or eliminate issues, such as ensuring that when sleeping arrangements need to be made that one of the parties has the ability to have a paid hotel room available to avoid the need to sleep together in the same cab. Encourage driving teams where partners who are friends, spouses, or in a committed relationship alternate their time behind the wheel on the same route. Upgrade in-cab safety technology where trucks are equipped with sound-enabled in-cab cameras and panic/emergency buttons in the sleeper and cabin areas. This whitepaper is the first of a series focused on safety and harassment issues for women in the transportation industry. To download a copy of the whitepaper, click here: https://www.womenintrucking.org/safety-harassment-series To download the following charts, click here: Trucking is a safe industry for women Aware of drivers who have experienced harassment or assault when sharing cab with opposite gender trainer Implementation of Same-Gender Training would encourage more women as drivers
Winning the war on fog
Brass Knuckle’s proprietary coatings create a new world standard for anti-fog lenses Lenses can fog in almost every application. Going from cool to warm air. Going from outdoor to indoor environments. In high humidity. During strenuous work that causes perspiration. Even warm breath in a cool room or the heat rising from a motor can cause lenses to fog. Fog means double trouble. First, fog reduces visibility. That’s a hazard in itself. Second, fogged-up lenses make workers want to remove their safety glasses. No eye protection equals “out of compliance” — and, most importantly, in those vulnerable seconds or minutes, eyes are exposed to potential hazards where eye injuries can occur. Before a U.S. anti-fog standard existed, one seller of worker protection, Brass Knuckle, decided it was important to measure its eye protection products by a standard. The company began with EN 166/168, the European standard and the most stringent anti-fog standard in the world at the time. Then Brass Knuckle went beyond it. Voluntarily. The result is Brass Knuckle’s proprietary anti-fog lens coating, which uses a groundbreaking technology that delivers better, longer-lasting fog-free protection than competing products. It was then, and remains, the toughest anti-fog standard in the world, exceeding ANSI and EN standards. The result is two coatings, BK-Anti-FOG and BK-Anti-FOG+, that provide extreme anti-fog performance and improve worker safety and productivity. Brass Knuckle BK-Anti-FOG is their original proprietary anti-fog coating that offers excellent performance and a long-lasting, fog-free view under even the most demanding hot and humid conditions. Washable and durable, BK-Anti-FOG formulas allow lenses to resist fog longer than competitors’ anti-fog treatments, and that extra time is what is needed for lenses to come into balance with temperature fluctuations, the principal cause of lens fogging. Brass Knuckle BK-Anti-FOG+ is their proprietary premium anti-fog coating that delivers anti-fog protection that exceeds the EN standard by 4400 percent — or 44x the best standard in the world! Where competitive anti-fog coatings protect against fogging for two minutes, best-in-class BK-Anti-FOG+ protection lasts more than six minutes when tested under the EN standard. In the world of eye protection, it’s as good as anti-fog protection gets. “We could apply any manner of anti-fog chemical to the lens and say we have anti-fog protection. Instead, we developed our own higher anti-fog standard and then hold our products to that standard,” said Jeff Cullman, vice president of Brass Knuckle. “We offer extreme protection against fogging, a huge step forward for ensuring compliance.” BK-Anti-FOG and BK-Anti-FOG+ are available on a wide variety of Brass Knuckle protective eyewear, serving various fits and functions.
Pfannenberg highlights PA 1 PATROL series Sounder for Industrial Safety
Pfannenberg, a global manufacturer of thermal management and signaling technologies, highlights the durable PA 1 PATROL Series Sounder, ideal for audible alarm applications on cranes, in mines, mills, and factories, and in other heavy industries. PA 1 PATROL Series Sounders reach a 105 dB (A) Max sound pressure level through a user-controlled rotary volume switch and offer 80 pre-programmed alarm tones with 4 stages for distinctive signaling of specific events. Its electromagnetic sound capsule technology includes a share of low-frequency sidebands in the acoustic signal for excellent sound penetration of walls and doors for highly effective alarming. Built to endure harsh environments and any climate, the PA 1 PATROL Series Sounder’s polycarbonate/ABS impact-proof housing achieves an IK08 impact rating. It is also simple and safe to assemble and install, with a captive fastener plus electrical wiring that avoids the need for a 3-hand assembly, providing plug and play functionality. The sturdy PA 1 PATROL Series Sounder features a stay-in-place shape-molded gasket and internal volume control. Every PA 1 PATROL Series Sounder includes a standard 10-Year Warranty. It can be surface or flush-panel mounted and is available in red or grey housing. Certifications include UL, cUL, MED, CE, VdS, GL, and EN 54-3.
FR2 WerkPant
The new FR2 WerkPants offer the same comfort and performance features from Truewerk, but with a flame-resistant treatment. With two-way stretch for mobility as well as pockets for a phone, pens, and essentials, these pants make sure you have everything you need to get the job done. As part of Truewerk’s new fire-resistant line, the FR2 WerkPants are certified by UL as meeting the NFPA 2112 standard for protection from exposure to fire and an NFPA 70e Category 2 Arc rating (min. 8cal/cm2). Additionally, built-in custom air-permeable kneepads offer extra protection. Truewerk’s FR2 WerkPants are available for purchase online.
MezzGate expands Automation through full Safety Gate line
Due to the demand for increased automation in material handling, distribution, and manufacturing facilities, Mezzanine Safeti-Gates, Inc. has extended options for power, remote operation, and tracking through its full line of pallet drop safety gates. An innovator of pallet drop safety gates that provide fall protection for employees working on elevated areas, the company has created new configurations that work within the flow of a facility’s applications, offer no-touch environments and work with custom-engineered designs. For example, custom Rack Supported Roly safety gates were supplied for use in a customer’s freezer environment that features very tight bays into which a crane loaded and unloaded pallets. The system features full-length gates that extend from the mezzanine deck to the top of the bay and are covered with metal mesh to keep employees from getting their hands too close to the crane while it’s operating. The custom gates are powered with a specialty motor that includes a heating element to operate properly in the cold environment. The power allows the safety gates to integrate with the customer’s AS/RS system and track material throughout the process. “Speed to get the product to consumers and employee safety is at the high priorities of our customers, and as a result, we’re seeing an increasing demand for power operation and remote control of our pallet drop gates,” said Aaron Conway, president of Mezzanine Safeti-Gates, Inc. “Our team has worked on many new ways to make it easier to integrate safety at pallet drop areas into the automated systems our customers are using, as well as bring power to safety gates that have been operating in facilities for years.” Safety gates can be equipped with a range of commercial electric motors, sensors, and remote controls, depending on the technology systems used in the facility. All options are configured so that when the ledge gate is up, the rear gate is down protecting workers from the ledge as the material is loaded or unloaded into the drop area. When complete, the ledge gate is signaled to close and the rear gate will open to provide access to the material while a barrier protects employees from the ledge. Used in thousands of locations throughout the world, the dual, counterbalanced gate systems offered by Mezzanine Safeti-Gates create controlled access areas that meet the ANSI standard requirements for fall protection in pallet drop areas, as well as OSHA and IBC fall protection codes. All safety gate designs are available in single and double-wide pallet widths and can be customized to accommodate specific pallet widths, depths, and heights. All models, including safety gates for the loading dock and lifts, are available in powder-coated mild steel or electro-polished stainless steel.
Safety professionals turn to ASSP for knowledge
In addition to being a resource for occupational safety and health conferences, industry standards, education courses, and networking opportunities, the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) is the place to go for books and technical publications that cover every facet of the workplace safety. And now is when safety professionals worldwide can find the best deal on every title to help them expand their knowledge, advance their careers and improve safety at work. Through Jan. 15, safety professionals can use the promo code 21BOOKS20 to receive a 20 percent discount on all print and digital publications on the ASSP website. The Society’s collection of more than 100 books and technical publications enables workplace safety and health professionals to learn about industry best practices and prepare for essential certification exams. ASSP’s most popular titles include “The Safety Professionals Handbook, Second Edition,” which offers comprehensive information from many experienced safety professionals. Essential topics include regulatory guidance, science and engineering, cost analysis and budgeting, benchmarking and performance criteria, and hazardous materials handling. Other widely read books in ASSP’s collection focus on incident investigation and prevention, construction, fall protection, safety management systems, worker well-being, and business and leadership skills. ASSP’s newest titles include “Introduction to Fall Protection, Fifth Edition,” recently updated by expert J. Nigel Ellis. The book reflects the latest standards and innovations for eliminating falls on the job. It presents real-world case studies and a model fall protection program with extensive safety examples. Another new title is “Assessing and Managing Risk: An ERM Perspective,” which provides practical guidance in the fundamentals of risk assessment and management as described in the ISO 31000 Risk Management standard. The book by Bruce Lyon and Georgi Popov includes access to online resources such as interactive exercises, tools, and videos. ASSP’s limited-time 20 percent book discount excludes print/digital bundles and standard/book bundles. Browse the Society’s entire collection of safety books and technical publications by visiting the ASSP store.
Rockford Systems introduces annual Machine Safeguarding Audit Service
It is a common misconception that once machine safeguarding equipment has been installed onto industrial machinery, no further work is required for the safety of the employees operating it, as long as the machine was in compliance with OSHA regulation and recognized industry standards. The consequences of this misunderstanding have been countless injuries, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, due to misused or unused machine guards, devices, and controls. To address those challenges and complement its broad offering of machine safeguarding products, services, and solutions, Rockford Systems, LLC has introduced its Machine Safeguarding Annual Verification Audit. This annual audit service is designed to verify that safeguarded equipment is being used as designed and intended to protect employees working in dangerous environments. Moreover, it ensures that a company’s capital investment in providing a safe working environment is sustained and continues to be in compliance with OSHA regulation and ANSI B11.19 standards, as well as meeting any internal safety policies that a company may have established. “Machine Safeguarding Initiatives require significant investment in capital and outside expertise,” said Matt Brenner, Vice President and General Manager of Rockford Systems, LLC. “If not sustained over time, the original capital investment is devalued. More importantly, risk increases. Employees are less safe and the probability and associated costs of a significant workplace injury escalate. Many companies don’t have the internal resources or expertise to audit and implement corrective actions for unsafe or non-compliant conditions in real-time.” Visual & Function Testing An annual audit will verify that installed safeguarding equipment continues to be used, and operated, as intended. The primary evaluation criteria for the audit are visual inspection and function testing of safeguarding, controls, disconnects, motor starters, and properly applied mechanical power transmission apparatus covers. Once an audit is completed, Rockford Systems provides a detailed audit report highlighting deficiencies along with high-level recommendations for corrective actions to bring deficient equipment back into compliance. More Comprehensive Analysis This annual audit differs from Rockford’s turnkey Machine Safeguarding Assessment service. Brenner commented that “this more detailed assessment process provides a comprehensive analysis of safety and compliance issues along with recommendations for engineered solutions, products, and installation of equipment. The audit is performed after machine safeguarding upgrades to ensure the sustainability of machine safeguarding improvements.” Cloud-Based Portal To help customers consistently and cost-effectively manage their machine safeguarding programs, Rockford Systems leverages their cloud-based portal, MyRockCloud, which houses current and historical audit report data. MyRockCloud creates an electronic archive that permissioned users can access from any location at any time, yielding improved planning and budgeting efficiency for any size safeguarding program. In the event of an accident or OSHA inspection, evidence of a disciplined, well-organized machine safeguarding program will be readily available to present to investigators. Evolving Standards Annual audits assist companies in staying current with evolving standards. For example, the recently published ANSI B11.TR8 indicates that machine safeguarding equipment must be inspected regularly according to supplier’s recommendations that are, in most cases, annually. Furthermore, it requires that when a machine is modified or relocated, risk reduction measures must be re-evaluated, a service included with Rockford System’s annual audit service. Over a twelve-month period, any number of changes can occur to a safeguarding program that heightens the potential for injuries. For instance, the safety equipment may be removed, bypassed or tampered with, or re-installed incorrectly during maintenance. Regular wear and tear will also lead to equipment becoming less effective, especially when not properly maintained. According to Brenner, these types of events are unfortunately common. “I have recently been at several large manufacturing facilities where safety equipment installed as part of a large safeguarding initiative have been removed or disabled, creating unsafe working conditions. Annual audits by a qualified third party will help mitigate these safety issues in real-time.”
Concentric LLC acquires Virginia battery provider Weldex Sales
Concentric, LLC, a national provider in DC power management and on-site maintenance for the material handling and critical power industries, has acquired Weldex Sales, the largest battery provider in the state of Virginia. Best known for their commitment to sustainability through their Environment and Safety divisions, Weldex Sales is also a certified, women-owned business. This acquisition strengthens Concentric’s footprint in Virginia while expanding innovative solutions like lithium and hybrid power systems to a new customer base. “For more than three decades, Weldex Sales has earned a reputation throughout Virginia as the place to turn to for any forklift power problem. We admire this heritage of bringing clients solutions that also emphasize sustainability and safety metrics,” said Concentric President, John Shea. “As the nation’s largest forklift and power organization, it is a natural fit incorporating Weldex Sales into the Concentric team.” Founded in 1978 by Robert E Hartman, Weldex Sales is now led today by daughter and President, Robin A. Hartman who joined in 1992 and has guided the business through incredible growth. Robin is credited with distinguishing three key divisions of Weldex Sales: Motive Power/Reserve, Environmental, and Welding, while leading the company’s commitment to providing top service to a dedicated clientele across Virginia. “At Weldex Sales our focus has been on bringing new ideas, technologies, and solutions to customers. Joining Concentric expands our technology and solution offerings, such as GuaranteedPOWER®, to our customer base. We look forward to continuing the legacy of Weldex Sales, providing clients with even greater options to meet their needs in a rapidly changing marketplace,” said Weldex Sales President, Robin A. Hartman. Concentric is an OnPoint Group company, the only national material handling and facility services organization. For additional information about Concentric or this acquisition, visit www.concentricusa.com or www.onpointgroup.com/mergers-acquisitions.
Wireless asset tracker assists rental equipment companies maximize profits, optimize technicians’ time and improve asset health
Global supply chain issues are here to stay. Even though these issues and workforce shortages have started getting better, it will be a long time before the situation improves and becomes regularized. Companies need to respond rapidly and creatively to these problems to ensure their operations continue running effectively. While these supply chain problems and shortages are affecting every organization in one way or another, there are innovative technological solutions that can be implemented to help lessen them. Scalable Telematics provider Access Control Group is presenting its feature-packed asset tracker to help fleet managers optimize their operations in these testing times: Vital, a wireless asset tracker device designed to enhance the day-to-day operations and performance of any powered equipment fleet. Vital records hour meter readings and provides 24/7 asset location through GPS tracking. Additionally, it delivers real-time notifications when equipment issues arise and is able to schedule maintenance requests from any location. Vital, an inexpensive telematics solution can provide a wealth of information that equipment fleet owners need to make proactive decisions. Here’s how Vital improves how fleets are managed: Stay in the know at all times. Fleet location, hours of usage, and if equipment needs maintenance. This crucial info will help fleet managers streamline dispatching, schedule technicians’ time efficiently, and minimize downtime. Streamline processes: Tracking equipment’ run time is crucial to maintaining the fleet’s overall health and productivity. Vital captures equipment usage and provides peak usage data to aid fleet managers to schedule the right number of equipment per project or location.
viisights Wise Behavioral Video Recognition integrated with Cognyte Symphia Solutions
viisights real-time video understanding technology further optimizes Cognyte’s situational command and control offerings viisights, the developer of advanced AI-powered behavior recognition video understanding solutions, and Cognyte (formerly a Verint Company), a global leader in security analytics software, are now integrated for a wide range of professional security and safety applications. viisights portfolio of Wise behavior recognition video analytics provides the ability to immediately detect and predict violent activity, suspicious behavior, crowd behavior, traffic monitoring, environment, and personal safety and much more to help proactively prevent events from happening or escalating. With the integration of viisights solutions and Cognyte’s Symphia solutions, the companies now have the ability to deliver real-time actionable insights for deeper situational awareness, greater command, and control, as well as more effective incident management, response, and investigations. “viisights’ innovative behavior recognition video understanding technology provides a new level of real-time proactive and predictive analysis to Symphia, enabling users to effectively prevent potentially threatening events from occurring or escalating,” said Alan Stoddard, General Manager Cognyte Situational Intelligence Solutions. “The addition of viisights to our analytics platform provides our reseller partners and their customers with even greater capabilities, performance, and cost-efficiencies.” “We’re very excited to integrate with Cognyte Symphia solutions, which further expands our global reach to their expanding global base of existing and future users,” said Asaf Birenzvieg, CEO of viisights. “viisights behavior recognition provides a robust and advanced real-time video analytics solution that perfectly complements Cognyte Symphia solutions, adding a new dimension of predictive analysis and preventive security capabilities to their versatile product offering.”
Invixium Integrates Biometric Solutions with AEOS by Nedap
Invixium Integrates Touchless Face Recognition and Multi-Factor Biometric Solutions with AEOS Access Control Invixium, a manufacturer of innovative touchless biometrics, has integrated its portfolio of modern solutions with AEOS by Nedap, a provider of access control solutions. This integration between AEOS and IXM WEB, Invixium’s enterprise-grade software solution, streamlines the process of setting up and using Invixium biometric systems with AEOS. AEOS users can now seamlessly deploy Invixium touchless biometrics, such as face recognition via IXM TITAN, as well as the rest of Invixium’s world-class biometric portfolio. This integration is powered by IXM Link, a licensed software feature for IXM WEB that allows for one- or two-way database-to-database synchronization between IXM WEB and AEOS. Database synchronization ensures easy setup, installation, and use of Invixium biometric solutions for AEOS users. Administrators can effortlessly enroll biometric data to cardholders (securely stored in IXM WEB) which are continuously synchronized with AEOS. In addition, Device Integration Protocol (DIP) has been implemented to allow AEOS to control the verification process. “Integrating leading security solutions, such as touchless face recognition, with AEOS has enabled Nedap to remain at the forefront of COVID-19 response,” said Susanne Adriaanse, Managing Director at Nedap Security Management. “Invixium’s innovative technologies like face recognition, mask detection, and touchless thermal screening make them a partner that closely aligns with our strategy to provide a wide range of high-level solutions to modern security problems.” “Expanding our reach through technology integrations is vital to our strategy,” said Shiraz Kapada, CEO & President at Invixium. “This integration simplifies installation and management while reducing costs for businesses that are looking for unified end-to-end security systems. We look forward to addressing the needs of AEOS users with our unique solutions.”
KEEN Utility’s latest American Built Boot offers pull-on convenience with work-focused
KEEN Utility’s Juneau offers pull-on convenience with work-focused, tech-forward features. This waterproof medium-duty boot offers the performance, and comfort features KEEN Utility is known for. With a laceless design, the Juneau is an easy boot to put on or take off, for a quick transition between work and life. Product highlights include a KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane as well as LuftCore shock absorption in the heel. At the same time, the Juneau does not sacrifice when it comes to safety including a sure-footed lugged, siped outsole, EH rating, and asymmetrical carbon-fiber safety toes providing a roomier, unobtrusive fit, 15% lighter than steel. Assembled in KEEN’s Portland, Oregon manufacturing facility using responsibly sourced materials from around the world, the Juneau is the latest release in KEEN Utility’s American Built line. KEEN Utility’s Juneau will be available online and in select retailers. For more information, please visit keenutility.com
Vestil introduces new Wall Mount Guard Rails
Vestil Manufacturing Corporation is an industry provider in the production and distribution of material handling equipment featuring over 1,000 different product lines of which are in stock and ready for immediate shipment. Vestil just introduced their Wall Mount Guard Rails model GR-H2R-WM-4-YL that is available in six different lengths in either hot-dipped galvanized or tough powder-coated yellow finishes. The Wall Mount Guard Rails are a great way to provide essential protection with congestion works areas. Standard Features include: Provides safety and structural security. The wall-mount capability allows the user to mount at any height. Space-saving alternative to traditional guardrails and posts. Available in six different lengths. Hot dipped galvanized or tough baked-in powder-coated yellow finish. Mounting brackets are powder-coated black. Mounting hardware included; lag down hardware not included. Durable steel construction
OSHA announces Emergency Temporary Standard on Vaccination and Testing
UPDATE: On November 6, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily halted OSHA’s Interim Final Rule on coronavirus vaccination and testing. OSHA is required to provide an expedited reply to the motion for a permanent injunction on November 8, followed by petitioners’ reply the next day. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA has announced a new Emergency Temporary Standard on Vaccination and Testing. Here are four things you need to know: Employers with at least 100 employees will be required to adopt a mandatory vaccination policy unless they adopt a policy requiring unvaccinated workers to undergo weekly testing and wear a face covering at work. Covered employers must provide paid time for workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine and ensure workers have paid sick leave to recover from any side effects that prevent them from working. Employers must comply with most provisions by 30 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register, and comply with the testing requirement by 60 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register. Learn more about compliance dates here. Businesses that don’t comply may face significant OSHA fines. Other helpful resources: Submit a comment: If you have comments, feedback, or information on OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing ETS you would like the agency to consider, please submit a comment electronically at regulations.gov (Docket Number OSHA-2021-0007). You can consult OSHA’s How to Participate fact sheet to learn more about the process. (Please note: any information submitted only to this email address will not be part of the record and will not be considered by the agency.) Learn more: If you have questions or are looking for more information about the ETS, you can find fact sheets, FAQs, and compliance assistance materials at osha.gov/vaxETS. Spread the word: Help us spread the word in your communities about our actions to keep workers safe by using our social media toolkit. For additional information on OSHA’s COVID-19 response visit osha.gov/coronavirus.