Ep. 33 Safety Innovations at the 2024 ASSP Conference & EXPO!

Greetings everyone, and welcome to the Mighty Line Minute! We've just been to an exciting, sold-out American Society of Safety Professionals Conference and Expo in Denver, Colorado. Following the conference, many of us returned to the Greater Cleveland area, following a severe power outage resulting from four tornadoes, and a straight line, three-mile-wide "macro burst" that traveled over 100 miles per hour. So, remember the Scout adage from an earlier podcast, "Be Prepared!"

Here's a quick rundown on several of the innovations that we are excited to report on: 

First, the Mighty Line team unveiled their prototype "Mighty Bot," the first robotically-controlled floor tape applicator, using the latest in optical detectors, sensors, electronics, and controls. While its release date has yet to be announced, attendees enjoyed a look into the future. Meanwhile, ergonomic, wheeled walk-along applicators are available at a reasonable price point for common application of Mighty Line floor tape.

MAKESafe Tools presented its machinery safety stop systems, which apply DC power to AC motors that effects immediate machinery stoppage. They demonstrated how moving machinery that commonly results in accidents, including amputations, can be safely outfitted, with presence-sensing and automatic shutdown controls. Example machines such as table saws were equipped with their devices and were effectively demonstrated. 

Newson-Gale, the world- renowned electrostatic controls company, headquartered in Europe with U.S. operations, displayed their latest static control testing, monitoring validation and control systems. They provide state-of-the-art equipment that provides static electricity grounding and bonding assurance. Newson-Gale is known for their electronic verification circuitry that can be applied to numerous static controls scenarios. These more commonly include bulk unloading of flammable liquids where grounding is visually indicated, or interlocked with pumps. A further example is the interlocking of hazardous area entry doors that pends the verification and effectiveness of static dissipative or SD footwear that is worn by personnel. 

Rockford Systems LLC is world-renowned for their machinery safeguarding systems. They actively demonstrated their latest systems and devices. They also informed attendees of their comprehensive machinery risk and safety assessment services. Their unique expertise has been extended to lockout/tagout, where they will perform on-site gap analyses, training, and solutions to enhance the precision and effectiveness of a firm's lockout/tagout practices. 

Justrite Safety Group were present, long known for their code-complying and state-of-the-art safety cabinets and containers, familiar under the "Justrite" and "Eagle" brand names. Their Type II metallic safety containers with metal nozzles with internal flame arresters are FM approved and OSHA and NFPA compliant. They produce the only container that I personally use for the safe storage and dispensing of gasoline. Their code-compliant haz mat storage buildings produced by U.S. Chemical Storage are impressive, and include new models designed for lithium battery storage. Their Checkers business provides a new line of high-viz, lightweight urethane aircraft wheel chocks that excel in this product area. 

Finally, while not new (though remaining best-in-class), U.S. producer DomesandMirrors.com were there presenting one of the least technical, though most essential products for warehouse safety. 

Today, many warehousers experiment with digital screens and lasers, requiring power and great expense. However, the traditional convex industrial mirror remains a wide, bespoke use where travel by pedestrians and powered industrial trucks are involved. Sometimes, "old school" simply continues to remain "new school." 

Thanks for joining us today on Mighty Line Minute, fresh from the 2024 ASSP Conference and Expo. In the weeks ahead, we'll be diving deeper into product solutions involving leaders from these firms. So be sure to follow our podcasts at MightyLineMinute.com, and our vodcasts under the "Blog" heading at MightyLineTape.com. While there, see also Mighty Line's latest in warehouse and industrial floor tape, floor safety signs, 5S, and operational excellence solutions. And be sure to have a very safe day. Take care.