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Following the pandemic, just about everyone may be familiar with PPEs and their regular use. PPEs are vital to maintaining a clean and safe workplace and are helpful for numerous practical reasons. They also come in various forms and features, with specific PPEs more effective than others depending on application and use.

Why wear PPEs?

They’re not just a “safety” outfit: PPEs are often mandated by law and OSHA standards for specific workplaces. The purpose of a PPE is to minimize any hazards and risks to a person as much as possible. They help to avoid exposure to harmful compounds or biological substances.

The PPEs protect your most sensitive areas or regions that could cause critical damage if harmed. These are your head, eyes, extreme ties (feet and hands), and skin. It also can protect your lungs from breathing in any toxicity.

Why PPEs matter in the workplace

You may not know, but your workplace may already use PPEs. Not all PPEs look the same. For example, a hard hat and safety glasses are already forms of PPE. These are often found in construction sites to protect against head injuries and prevent debris from getting into your eyes. Here are some of the common PPEs:

• In medical facilities, full-body PPEs and gowns are crucial to avoid exposure to microbes and viruses.
• High visibility clothing or body suits are also a form of PPE. A fluorescent and reflective PPE can highlight where a worker is when working in dark areas such as underground shafts and channels or at night. It helps prevent accidents where they may not have been seen and struck by a piece of machinery.
• Another form of PPE is fall-protection equipment. These body harnesses help keep workers attached to lifelines and ensure they do not fall when working at great heights.

OSHA regulations state that injuries and illnesses may result from coming into contact with chemical, medical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, and other workplace hazards. While PPEs may not completely prevent harm against these hazards, they go a long way in ensuring that all workers are protected.

KC Supply Co is committed to workplace safety in workspaces of all kinds, from construction zones to infrastructure maintenance. Visit KC Supply Co to find a full range of protective equipment.

Access doors are a common and crucial feature in many industrial areas and factories. These access doors serve as means of entry into tanks, pipes, ducts, chambers, and more. Any specific equipment or confined space should have its access door, typically any small hinged door.

However, access doors have different classifications and features depending on their usage. Business owners need to consider what the entry should contain behind it, how convenient it should be for personnel to get through, and what pressure-safety measures are necessary.

KC Supply specializes in three classes of access doors.

Non-Pressure Rated

Non-pressure rated access doors look similar to maintenance holes or caps. They allow access to bins and can be used for clean-outs, inspections, sampling, and more. They come in various styles and forms. For example, a cross-arm style access door flips down to close and is self-locking. A clamp-ring style access door has a clamp ring that attaches the cover to the weld ring, providing a strong seal. It’s best used for covers that aren’t opened often.

Pressure Rated

Pressure-rated access doors are specially designed to provide access to high-pressure ducts, often for inspection purposes. When not in use, they should be durable enough to contain that pressure, which is why they’re usually designed with six levers or seals that keep the cap in place. They come in carbon steel, aluminum, zinc, and other materials and have different diameters. Ensure that you select a lid that seals the gap perfectly for absolute safety.

Pressure Relieving

A pressure-relieving access door should handle both positive and negative forces. Often, these are used for duct and chamber access, where safety and ventilation are the foremost concerns. They are also frequently used for food storage or food applications, so it’s crucial to select a door that has food-grade materials if to be used for this purpose.

KC Supply emphasizes that by selecting the correct type of access door for your containment, you can ensure the safety of the personnel around it and prevent any mechanical or equipment issues that could come from faulty doors.

Learn the different types of access doors and find the right one for your needs at KC Supply.

Storage tank safety is crucial when working around them. Like in industrial grain and storage bins, storage tanks pose a fall, drowning, or suffocation risk. Moreover, they are likely to contain highly hazardous materials that could instantly kill in an accident. Therefore, the following storage tank safety tips are worth noting to ensure the protection of all staff working around them.

Establish a full plan

A careful plan is essential. Whether the idea is to clean the tank, do some maintenance, reconnect it, or remove it — whatever the procedure may be — it’s critical to have a careful plan of every step, as well as contingencies and backups in case something goes wrong.

Only allow certified professionals around the tank

Different types of tanks are designed to handle hazardous materials, and it’s crucial only to have experienced, trained, and certified professionals handling any procedure involving them. As this personnel is properly trained, they know precisely how every process works and the storage tank safety procedures.

Always check temperature indicators

Whatever is inside the tank, it’s always good to keep a close eye on temperature indicators. While this is most useful for liquid storage tanks that heat or store hot water, any volatile material inside the storage tanks should have temperature monitoring. It may indicate if things are stable inside or if something is amiss.

Comply with state and national requirements

Safety standards for storage tanks, especially for oil and fuel, are incredibly stringent for a reason—ensuring that everyone handling the tank, its contents, and the surrounding environment remains safe. Always have regular checks to ensure that all procedures and handling involving the tanks fall under these storage tank safety requirements.

Test Annually

Testing should be done every year, whether it’s testing the tanks and their system’s stability or the staff’s professionalism, knowledge, and understanding. This makes sure everyone is always aware of the safety protocols.

By keeping these practical tips in mind, every staff member can maintain your storage tanks’ safety.

KC Supply places the safety of personnel handling storage tanks at the utmost priority. Visit us to find essential safety equipment as well as tips to keep everything stable.

Industrial storage tanks come in many forms, each specially designed for different uses and applications. Most importantly, some tanks are more effective storage containers for specific types of fluid or materials. Here are some of the most common types of storage tanks in various industrial industries.

Industrial Chemical Tank

These industrial tanks are best used for natural gas or petroleum. They have specifically been built to withstand the most corrosive or hazardous chemicals, and the tanks come in various shapes and sizes. They can also handle the raw materials that combine these chemicals and take pre-processed fluids.

Industrial Oil Storage Tanks

Used primarily for long-term storage or reservoirs, these industrial storage tanks handle oil in all its stages, from the initial processing to consumer-ready forms. Great care is taken in constructing these tanks as they need the utmost safety, environmental, and legal considerations when they are built. Oil can be hazardous to the environment in case of spills — therefore, the tank must be completely reliable.

Industrial Water and Liquid Storage Tanks

These tanks may hold hot or non-heated water for storage or use in plants. They are often very well insulated to maintain the temperature of the water within. The insulation is often thicker and made of fiberglass if used for hot or heating water in the industrial storage tank.

Other forms of these tanks don’t just handle water. They may be used to handle jet fuel, diesel, or gasoline. The different varieties of water and liquid storage tanks also depend on their use. Onion tanks store water in case of emergencies, while bladder tanks are typically used for quick use and release of water. Poly tanks are domestically utilized, such as rainwater collection.

These are just some of the different types of industrial storage tanks. Other tanks may be for more specialized or sophisticated uses. Understanding these tanks enables you to determine what your plant needs.

KC Supply Co doesn’t just understand industrial storage tanks—we have the equipment needed to maintain them too. Visit us to learn more about industrial equipment.

KC Supply is proud to introduce a new Edge Halt Safety Gate selection, one of the most updated safety solutions for industrial workplaces and settings. Often, ladders, fixed ladders, and raised platforms can be accident-prone areas; thus, guard rails and handrails are installed. For ease of access, safety gates are added.

But it’s especially crucial to implement a highly secure and durable safety gate in raised areas. A faulty, poorly-fitted, worn down, or unreliable safety gate may result in personnel falling from a great height, causing severe injuries or death.

Benefits of the Edge Halt Safety Gate

Flexibility

The gates come in various types and widths and are fully adjustable. There is an Edge Halt Safety Gate available for just about any need. Safety gates can be specified for ladders, mezzanines, personal access, and more.

Ease of Use

Despite being flexible for ladders and raised platforms with different options, you only need one size per type of gate. The gates can be adjusted to fit openings that range from 18 to 36 inches. This ensures that no matter how wide or narrow the rail opening is, you can adjust the gate to ensure that there are no gaps or spaces that may allow someone to slip through.

Ease of Installation

The Edge Halt Safety Gates are also efficient and easy to install. There’s no need to saw or cut the gate to form as the gate can be smoothly and quickly adjusted. Moreover, it comes in two mounting variations: a standard railing mount or a flat surface mount.

Self-Closing

This is one of the best features of the Edge Halt Safety Gate. Its self-closing mechanism makes it easier to protect personnel from falls in elevated guardrail openings. It remains entirely in place and cannot be moved.

With the new Edge Halt Safety Gate, supervisors and management of industrial workplaces can rest a little easier, knowing that there is a well-fitting, secure gate to protect their personnel.

 Planning to install this gate in your factory or industrial plant? Visit KC Supply to learn about the varieties of safety gate and how they can be installed.

Choosing the correct pressure relief valve for your machine’s needs is crucial—it’s not just a matter of machine compatibility. It’s also essential for on-the-job safety, especially in industrial settings. Not choosing a correct pressure release valve could lead the connection to leak, break, or worse, release high-pressure vapor or substances all over the workplace, endangering workers’ lives around it. It can cost thousands of dollars in damages as well.

Consider the following options to determine your machinery’s ideal pressure relief valve.

Material

Valves come in different metals and materials. Depending on the type of machine and the substances meant to be handled by the system, a specific metal may work better than the others. Carbon steel is best if the substances passing through are at high temperatures. Stainless steel works better for corrosive compounds.

Connection

The pressure relief valve will also vary depending on the type of connection needed for the pipelines, hoses, or connectors. Remember: The valve must match both the discharge piping and the inlet in a perfect fit. This way, the connection remains airtight and secure, ensuring all personnel’s safety.

PSIG

Pounds per square inch or PSIG is the measurement of the pressure relief valve’s set pressure once the valve is opened. The suitable valve should be one that does not exceed the maximum allowable working pressure. Otherwise, there is a potential for the valve to break, dislodge, or become a weak link in the system.

Back Pressure

This is the pressure on the outlet side of the valve. Depending on the force, this may need to be a pilot-operated valve, which means it must be manually opened and closed. Without the correct type of valve, the upstream pressure may cause it to pop open now and again. This can result in wear and the destruction of the valve.

Remember that choosing the correct valve may mean the difference between a smoothly-working industrial workplace and the risk of an industrial accident. Choose the proper valves for your equipment.

Rely on trustworthy suppliers that produce high-quality, high-pressure-resistant relief valves for every need. Visit KC Supply to learn more.

Having the right gas monitor is important to your company. It protects your employees from the possibility of inhaling toxic gasses or being exposed to them. Under the right circumstances, it can also prevent explosions. 

Many varieties are available in the market today, and choosing the wrong one could harm your employees. However, it’s not always easy to determine what kind of monitor to buy. Here are a couple of tips to help you decide which one to get. 

• Portability – Portability is a big factor in choosing a monitor. There are instances where a monitor has to constantly check the same environment, in which case a stationary gas detector would be beneficial. Meanwhile, sometimes you need a gas monitor that could be used in multiple places, so it would be ideal if it is portable and lightweight enough to be carried by your employees. In this case, you have an option between a portable handheld detector or a personal monitor that your employees can clip on their belts. 
• Single or multi-gas detector – Next, it would depend on how many gases you have to monitor regularly. Single gas detectors are equipped to monitor just a specific kind of gas, while a multi-gas detector can keep you updated on several kinds of gases in the environment.

Before deciding which gas monitor to get, you need to determine what kind of gases you need to monitor in your workplace. Only then would you be able to decide on which one you need for your company. 

In KC Supply Co, we offer both single gas detectors and multi-gas monitors, and a host of other safety equipment, including supply bulk material handling equipment. Head over to our website today to find out how we can help keep your employees safe and hopefully more productive. 

Today, as the buildings being made are reaching record heights, it is essential for the construction company to provide its workers with the appropriate safety harness. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, workers need fall protection measures for four feet and above elevations. For example, it is required at four feet in general industry, five feet in shipyards, and six feet in the construction sector. Though this may all seem like basic information, choosing the right harness for your specific needs can become challenging, considering the different types that are available.

Types of safety harnesses

Having the right harness for your specific needs could mean your worker would be walking home from an accident or on a gurney. Here are a few examples of harnesses that may be suitable for your work:

• Positioning harnesses

These would allow the user the most freedom of movement. It is designed so that the worker can assume a sitting back position while having their hands free to do other tasks. These may come with positioning devices that allow the user to work from a fixed position.

• Retrieval harnesses

A retrieval harness makes it easier to rescue a worker more efficiently as it can distribute the lifting forces evenly. This is the type of harness used in confined spaces. In these places, the working space may be raised or lowered.

• Suspension harnesses

This harness comes with a seat to support the worker built in it, which allows for hands-free work. This particular type of harness is common for window washers and tower washers. This system allows for freedom of movement in an otherwise perilous work environment.

Employers must be well informed about the different types of safety harnesses available in the market to ensure the safety and health of their workers. It is their duty to provide a safe work environment that would foster productivity and safety. 

Learn more about safety equipment at KC Supply Co today.

Storage tank safety is of utmost importance to every industrial business, as these tanks often contain volatile or strong chemical compounds. By employing the proper safety methods and procedures, management can avoid accidents, potentially millions of dollars in damages, and unnecessary loss of production time.

Never overfill the tank

The simplest precaution is to avoid filling the storage tank beyond its designed capacity. Accidental overfilling or an obstruction in the flow at the exit vents are also grave mistakes. Remember that some of the most well-known industrial accidents occurred due to overfilling.

Ensure your tanks are installed by experts

Trained and licensed professionals ensure that your tanks are installed with all the pertinent storage tank safety regulations. They also know the quality work it takes to install a tank without errors or costly mistakes that could result in storage tank damage or, worse, the tank failing while it’s full.

Maintenance is crucial

Regardless of whether or not your tank is above ground or underground, you need to continue to perform regular maintenance checks and determine if the tank is still in working order. Look into the use and maintenance of the specific tank to understand how to care for it.

Always use protective equipment

When cleaning, maintaining, or checking the tanks, ensure that they are being performed by trained personnel who know what to do and how to do it while following storage tank safety protocols. They also must be fully equipped with personal protective equipment. If there is an issue with the storage tank, the risk of harm to them is as minimal as possible.

Monitor the pressure

An under-pressured tank is as bad as an over-pressured tank. The pressure within the tank walls can increase or decrease depending on the contents, their degradation with time, and the volume of matter in them. It’s crucial to continuously inspect and monitor the pressure levels to determine if they are still within a safe threshold or if the tank is at risk for rupture.

KC Supply Co emphasizes getting the help and advice of professionals. A specialist can help determine the best inspection intervals and the ideal processes for handling the tanks in every storage tank safety aspect.

KC Supply Co has specialists and safety equipment for working around storage tanks. Visit KCSupply.com to find out more.

When choosing industrial storage tanks for your factory or your plant, the adage “the right tool for the job” still applies. There are multiple varieties of storage tanks, and they have different levels of performance according to what is designed to get stored in them.

Some of the most common types are:

• Fuel Storage Tanks — These are specifically designed to hold fuel or petroleum but can also be used to hold organic and non-organic liquids. This is because the standard required for fuel tank safety is exceptionally high, making them ideal for storing other fluids.

• Aboveground Fuel Tank — Has easy long-term maintenance and has direct costs. Essentially, these are the most cost-effective tanks and, therefore, popular.

• Underground Fuel Tank — These industrial storage tanks are also USTs or Underground Storage Tanks. At least 10% of their contents are buried underground. They’re beneficial for storing hazardous material. Like their aboveground counterparts, they’re handy for a variety of fluids.

• Chemical Storage Tanks — These tanks vary in material, such as stainless steel, polyethylene, and fiberglass.

• Stainless steel — These are the most expensive options but are the most highly effective variant, capable of holding a variety of strong acids and compounds.

• Fiberglass — Suitable for some chemical storage applications but has leakage risk and needs constant monitoring.

• Polyethelene Storage — These are the most versatile among the storage tanks of choice, as they can hold more than just chemicals.

• Industrial Oil Tanks — These industrial storage tanks act more as reservoirs. Unlike the other tanks, they’re not used explicitly for long-term storage. Instead, they are containers where different oil phases are stored as they constantly flow down the supply line before finally getting consumed.

• Fixed roof tank — Keeps stored oil protected under an unmoving cover, preventing exposure. Often, these are used for holding low-volume oil products.

• Bunded tank — These tanks are often surrounded by a containment dike or another tank. This secondary layer provides a catch system for any spills.

• Single skin & Double skin tank — These tanks have one or two layers of plastic or steel which improve the structural integrity of the tanks.

These are only some of the most common types of tanks. Depending on what you need to store in it, choose the appropriate tank for the contents you intend to put in.

KC Supply Co recommends asking specialists to determine the ideal tank type for your industry and contents. Visit the website to get in touch with an expert today.