Recent Posts In Our Lean Manufacturing Blog

04/19/2010 01:52 PM

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01/20/2010 01:20 PM

New HazCom website to focus on oil, coal & gas

When it comes to Earth Energy Industries, good information about HazCom labeling is always welcome. A newly released website is now providing the industry with easy-to-access information about HazCom labeling in the Oil, Coal and Gas industries. Found at oilcoalgas.com, the site aims to aid managers of earth energy facilities and mines with labeling and signage information for their industry. Many of the pages inside are dedicated to explaining how to meet specific HazCom sign rules established for these specific industries... and what labeling printers and supplies are best suited for these applications. To ensure your earth industry facility or mine exceeds the required HazCom codes; use OSHA/MSHA approved RTK Labels from DuraLabel. You can find more information about these regulations and how to purchase the right printers and supplies at oilcoalgas.com. New Oil, Coal & Gas site makes HazCom a snap Visually communicate in the Oil, Coal & Gas Industries

01/15/2010 12:35 PM

Got Ammonia Pipes? Get 'em marked right!

When it comes to Ammonia Pipes, you want everyone who enters a plant to see and understand these hazards. That's why Ammonia Pipes require special "standardized" markings. The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) published a set of standards for marking this specific pipe type. The goal is to help anyone who sees these pipe markings to rapidly understand what the pipe contains, what system it is attached to, how much pressure it contains and the flow direction. All of this information is critical to anyone who must work around Ammonia Pipes. Ammonia Pipe leaks are not an uncommon occurrence in many facilities and the results can be serious. In 2007, an explosion at an Oregon based AmeriCold facility released the toxic gas into their facility and surrounding neighborhood. Two employees, as well as a bicyclist who happened to be riding by when it happened, were sent to the hospital. Oregon OSHA investigated and issued 18 violations for the incident. More recently, the same facility was fined $470,000 for 10 willful violations, four serious repeat violations and 22 other serious violations of the Oregon Safe Employment Act. Many of these violations were related to ammonia hazards. Communicating the hazards of ammonia pipes is a critical step in helping reduce accidental ammonia releases. Graphic Products has published a simple-to-use, one page guide to help make Ammonia Pipe Marking a snap. Call Graphic Products today at 1-888-326-9244 for your free copy, or visit them online to request a copy. Ensure Ammonia Pipes are seen and understood Don't let your Ammonia Pipes go unnoticed

12/30/2009 05:29 PM

Check-out the new DuraLabel Supplies Catalog!

Shopping online comes in handy when you have time to sit at your computer and do the research. Nothing is quicker. Still, it's nice to have a paper catalog to refer to, when you really need to find something fast or are nowhere near your computer. DuraLabel just released their printed version of the complete line of DuraLabel Supplies in a single printed catalog. That means you can thumb through the many supplies DuraLabel offers at your leisure - and without the aid of a computer. Each supply is organized by printer and then grouped in color-coded tables to help you find the supplies your printer uses more easily. DuraLabel's new supply catalog is now available for FREE by calling 1-888-326-9244, or visiting DuraLabelSupplies.com where you can request a catalog online.

12/28/2009 04:45 PM

Color-coding you can rely on.

It's well known that efficiency in a facility is improved through proper color-coding. Colors are used to identify equipment, tools, hazards and procedures. Select colors are even standardized by OSHA and ANSI to add greater value and improve worker recognition rates. The goal is to increase label and sign recognition times. When color standards are applied to all labels and signs, a facility becomes increasingly efficient. That's why colors must remain as sharp and brilliant as the day they were printed and do so for extended periods- even in the outdoors. Unfortunately, most label and sign manufacturers print colors with inferior devices. The result is a label or sign with only a very limited life. Although these labels may be less expensive, they actually wind-up costing more in replacement costs. DuraLabel believes colored labels should provide lasting service indoors as well as outdoors. That's because they understand the value lasting colors have in the industrial workplace. To prove just how durable their colors are, DuraLabel performed a comparison test on four commonly used primary colors. The test focused on colors printed with a DuraLabel Printer and those printed by a leading competitor. Using state-of-the-art testing equipment, researchers at DuraLabel documented some fairly dramatic differences. As the image above reveals, the red coloring printed by the competitor is absent after just two years of simulated exposure. All of the colors printed by DuraLabel still offer functional performance with little degradation. These differences show how important it is to use an industrial label printer that's capable of providing this level of performance. The cost of using inferior labels and signs in the industrial workplace is often greater in less efficiency and replacement cost. DuraLabel Testing Center Info Just how important is color to a safety sign? When it comes to safety... don't settle for second best.

11/20/2009 03:10 PM

Inspect your labels and signs regularly

Keeping a safety program functional isn't always easy. Often, it gets overlooked because it's a duty that gets passed from employee to employee. If you've been handed the reigns of your facility's safety program, put your foot down and ensure your health and safety signs are inspected regularly. It very well could save a life, maybe even yours. OSHA, ANSI, NFPA and the multitude of other required health and safety signs all demand regular inspections to maintain their upkeep. That means you need to check your signs, at the very least, every 6 months. Some of the basic things to look for during your inspection, include: Readability from a distance Overall condition Location visibility Label or sign coverage (Would additional signs be beneficial?) Visit DuraLabelSupplies.com to download a free sample inspection checklist.

08/05/2009 09:54 AM

Lean health care is on it's way...

No one wants to hear their hospital is run like a factory, but some hospitals are finding methods used by industry also work in health care facilities and often help improve the care they provide. Hospitals are not alone in this efficiency revolution. Many non-traditional Lean facilities are implementing these popular industrial methods and systems. One popular "Healthcare Lean" method that's being popularly used today, adopts many elements used in systems such as 5S and Kanban. One of these elements is "visual communication." Medical facilities managers can help workers organize storage, see hazards and record inventories utilizing some very simple, but effective methods and techniques. Visual communication is generally improved with labeling and signage. Application-specific labeling supplies are now available to display things like barcodes on unusual or textured surfaces or mark freezing pipes. Specialized labels and signs are also available to adhere directly onto surfaces such as cryogenic specimen containers or even emergency room records and equipment. DuraLabel has unveiled a brand new label printer, targeted at helping improve efficiencies and safety in the health care industry. Clinics and laboratories can greatly improve their visual communication with the DuraLabel LabPRO. This new printer features over 20 "application-specific" labels and signs supplies- specially engineered for use in medical facilities. Some of the more popular supplies include: Autoclavable Tape Cryogenic Label Tape (Poly) Cryogenic VialWRAP Tape Cryogenic VialWRAP Tape (Color-Coded) Electrostatic Dissipative Label Tape (ESD) Frozen Specimen Label Tape Glove-Peel Vinyl Tape Laboratory Tamper-Evident Tape Medical Inspection Label Tape MedTag Tape Slide Label Tape SlideChem Label Tape Universal Medical Label Tape Write-On Medical Label Tape For more information, call a DuraLabel representative at 1-888-326-9244. The DuraLabel LabPRO at DuraLabel.com The DuraLabel LabPRO at GraphicProducts.com DuraLabel Unveils new medical printer

06/25/2009 01:31 PM

Form-labels... made to last!

In Lean Manufacturing, inspection tagging is a critical function of a maintenance department. Equipment, utilities and other mechanical elements of a facility must all be regularly inspected to assure they provide optimum efficiency and performance. Having a durable label is paramount to good inspection tagging. Labels must continue to show dates and signatures long after they are first applied. Embossable Poly Supply is popularly used to provide the necessary and long-lasting application inspection tagging demands. Ideal for printing very durable labels, destined for years of service, Embossable Poly Supply is perfect for printing form-labels and other label formats where hand-written information is required. When written on with a ball-point pen, the supply's special surface "embosses" to leave a permanent impression- long after the ink has faded. Engineered with a tough reflective top-coat, this popular supply is now available from DuraLabelSupplies.com and specially designed for use with the DuraLabel PRO and DuraLabel PRO 300 Printers. Just design a form using the DuraLabel PRO or DuraLabel PRO 300's bundled software and your labels are ready for lasting written information. Embossable Poly Supply (Metallized) Two New Labeling Supplies!

06/11/2009 10:53 AM

OSHA- Remember how it all started?

Back when Lean was just starting to catch-on in several larger U.S. factories, workers were mostly dependent on employers to provide safe working conditions. Even through the 1960s, outside safety inspections were rarely performed and the government played only a minor role in assuring facilities were safe to work in. Then, in 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) was signed into law. Suddenly, facilities had nationally standardized guidelines to follow. Along with this law many safety codes and standards were enacted to help reduce hazards in the workplace. To commemorate this period of advancement in industrial safety, Graphic Products is offering a "free" limited edition poster. This collectors' piece has the look and feel of the early days of OSHA and is perfect for displaying anywhere in your facility or even framing for display in the office. For a limited time... this $19.95 value is free! But only 500 were printed... so act fast while they last! Just follow this link to claim a copy for yourself: Free "Limited Edition" Safety Poster DuraLabel Pro Label & Sign Printer Custom, Industrial Labels & Signs

06/10/2009 10:52 AM

Got "Hazardous Material Communication?"

Lean Manufacturing is all about efficiency, but let's not forget that efficiency is always improved through better safety. One of the easiest ways to protect personnel from the dangers of a facility is to assure every hazard is appropriately labeled with OSHA compliant safety labels and signs. To maximize their effectiveness, make sure to use labels and signs made for industrial applications and designed to conform to your facility's standards. These tips aren't just helpful; they can save a facility from costly OSHA Hazard Material Communication Violations. These violations are one of the most common facility violations OSHA hands-out and they're not just a slap-on-wrist. They can have devastating consequences. Just yesterday, a large explosion at a ConAgra Plant in North Carolina made national news. At the time of this post, not all details were known and a bomb has not been ruled-out. However, a local news story described the explosion as rupturing, "... a 34,000-gallon ammonia refrigeration system, triggering the leak." Even still, these events expose a facility's past violations and cast a negative light on an already tragic event. As of today, two are known dead and dozens injured in this explosion. Along with the headlines, many stories brought out the fact this plant had been cited for Hazardous Material Communication violations in 2006 and again in 2007. These violations certainly don't help their case and could, very likely, be the centerpiece of lawsuit should ConAgra be found at fault. The point being, don't take OSHA's Hazardous Material Communication Violations lightly. They tend to come back to haunt facilities years-after violations were issued and the total cost may be much greater than any payments made to OSHA. Of course, the best defense is to assure all hazardous materials are properly identified with OSHA compliant labels and signs. DuraLabel provides one of the highest quality NFPA/RTK Diamond Labels available and can help your facility avoid these costly violations. Play it smart... reduce violations with proper labels and signs.... and save lives while you're at it! Lack of "Hazard Communication?" DuraLabel Supplies NFPA Diamond Labels

Kaizen

OSHA Safety Signs and Labels

If a hazard cannot be eliminated, get the safety signs and labels out. All potential hazards must be clearly identified and provide pertinent, accurate information and warnings. There are four types of safety signs and labels or OSHA "signal words," as mandated by ANSI Z535.4:

Danger Signs: a DANGER sign or label indicates an imminently hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. This signal word is to be limited in use for only the most extreme of situations. Danger signs should be consistent in appearance and blatantly posted.

Warning Signs: a WARNING sign is used to indicate a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

Caution Signs: a CAUTION sign is used to indicate a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, may result in a minor or moderate injury, or could result in equipment damage. It may also be used to alert against unsafe practices.

Notice/Safety Signs: a NOTICE or SAFETY sign provides general information that is instructional or relevant to a building, area, machine, vehicle or equipment. The information is not crucial for safety, but is important.

The DuraLabel PRO can print all these different types of safety signs and labels. Call 1-800-788-5572 today for more information.