Product, Technical and Regulatory Support Q&A
Commonly Asked Technical Questions
How can I contact Lab Safety Supply's Technical Staff?
- Send e-mail to techsvc@labsafety.com
- Call 800-356-2501 (phone lines are open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT, Monday thru Friday)
- Fax toll-free 800-543-9910 in the U.S. and Canada, or 608-754-1806 worldwide
- Send mail to Lab Safety Supply, PO Box 1368, Janesville, WI 53547-1368 c/o Technical Services
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Can I call the toll-free phone number (800-356-2501) from outside the U.S. and Canada?
Yes, you can reach us toll-free from many countries using AT&T's Direct™
Service Access Codes. This code is NOT the same as your usual international calling code.
Click here for more information on this
service.
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What information can I get when I contact your technical staff?
- Regulatory Information
- Product Applications
- Chemical Compatibility
- Manufacturer Recommendations
- Product Service and Maintenance
- Product Specifications
- Referrals to Health and Safety Organizations
- Specific Product Approvals
- Regulatory Compliance Information
- General assistance with problems that would affect the health and safety of workers
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Can I get technical assistance even if I've never placed an order?
Certainly. Our technical support staff can help ensure that you order the correct
product for your application. This is critical in applications where the safety and health
of workers is concerned (respirators, protective clothing, etc.) and where chemical
compatibility is a question (pumps, gloves, etc.).
Even if your question isn't about a product we carry, we will be happy to see if we can
help you.
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How soon can I expect an answer to my question?
Most of the time we answer questions before you hang up the phone. Our electronic
database of product and regulatory information lets us look up documents without leaving
our desks! We can even fax these documents to you without leaving the phone.
If we can't answer your question immediately, our goal is to resolve the issue within 24
hours. We may not be able to answer every question, but we will make every effort to find
someone who can.
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Will you go to a customer's location to do on-site training?
Not at this time. However, our Technical Department is staffed from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT
to give technical assistance. Call 800-356-2501 with your questions.
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Do you do service/maintenance for the products you sell?
Our factory-trained technicians will service, or coordinate the service, for many of the
products we sell, including most air monitors, scales, pH meters, lights and more. Call our
Technical Department and describe the problem. One of our technicians will work up a free
estimate, including cost and turnaround time and get right back to you.
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Do you install the products you sell?
No we do not. Our Technical Department can help you with any questions you have over the
phone, but we do not conduct site installations. You can call 800-356-2501 with your
product installation questions before or after you order.
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Do you publish any manuals or other references?
Much of the information you'll see on this Web site was written or compiled by a member
of our Technical Staff. For example the TECHlines
Newsletter and EZFacts Safety
Information documents are produced in both a paper and web site format by some of our
Technical Representatives. Also, several of the manuals you'll see for sale in the Lab
Safety Supply Catalog were produced under the direction of our Technical Department.
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Are Employers responsible for Federal Health and Safety Violations that Occur in their employees' home offices?
OSHA recently withdrew a policy interpretation letter that was posted
on the internet in November. The letter stated that employers were responsible
for federal health and safety violations that occur in their employees'
home offices. The letter was brought to the attention of the business
community in a January 4, 2000, article in The Washington Post. OSHA's
original letter would have affected the 1.9 million workers who telecommute
or occasionally work at home. The statement by OSHA was being interpreted
to mean that employers were responsible for ensuring their employees have
ergonomic furniture, proper lighting and adequate heating, cooling and
ventilation systems in their home offices. Not surprisingly, it generated
an outcry from the business community. OSHA withdrew the letter due to
the widespread confusion caused by it.
Need more information regarding Ergonomics?
See EZ Facts #220, Ergonomics--An Overview.
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What type of absorbent is needed for cleaning up hydrofluoric acid?
When cleaning up hydrofluoric acid, use a sorbent made of polypropylene. Do not use an
expanded silicate absorbent, as the expanded silicate material will react with hydrofluoric
acid.
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Are there specific training requirements for personnel who respond to chemical spills?
Yes. These requirements may be found in 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.120,
Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response.
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Are there specific regulations governing the disposal of sorbents saturated with hazardous materials?
The handling, storage and disposal of sorbents, when saturated with hazardous materials,
are governed by local, state and federal environmental laws.
For more information see EZ Facts #147, Spill Control, Assessing
Your Needs and Choosing the Right Sorbents.
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What is considered formal forklift operator training?
Formal training is the combination of classroom training including lecture, discussion,
video tape, interactive computer learning, or written material.
For more information see EZ Facts #106, Forklift
Operator Training.
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How can I best prepare my workplace for a first aid emergency?
- Always have a stocked first aid kit and emergency equipment handy
- Establish an emergency responder program in the workplace.
- Always consider safety first. By adopting a safety program, you can keep work-related accidents to a minimum.
For more information see EZ Facts #207, Introduction
to First Aid.
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Can compressed air greater than 30 psi be used for industrial purposes?
Yes, most pneumatic tools, including air guns require 80-120 psi to operate effectively
and to do useful work. However, they must have a relief device or air port within the system
that will drop the pressure to under 30 psi if the air-system becomes dead ended.
For more information see EZ Facts #187, Air Gun
Safety.
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Can I use canisters or respirator parts from another manufacturer to repair my respirator?
No-doing so will void all NIOSH/MSHA approvals.
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Do I need a respiratory program if I only have employees using disposable dust/mist respirators?
If the employees are required to wear a respirator of any type, a written program is
required. If employees voluntarily choose to wear a respirator, a written program is not
required.
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What is IDLH?
IDLH is the concentration at which the contaminant is Immediately Dangerous to Life and
Health. If the concentration meets or exceeds the IDLH, a Pressure-Demand Self-Contained
Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) or Air-line Respirator with escape should be selected.
For more information see EZ Facts #195, Steps
for Establishing a Respiratory Program.
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