Guide to Barcodes vs. QR Codes: In-Depth Comparison and Analysis of Both Label Types

Last Updated: February 11, 2023

Everyone is familiar with barcodes – the black-and-white codes featuring a series of parallel lines that a cashier scans in the checkout line – but QR codes are also becoming widely known and recognized. Both QR codes and barcodes store information about an item or product in a machine-readable format that can be easily scanned …

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Top ANSI Z535 Resources: 50 Articles, Guides, Forums, Color Charts and More to Learn About ANSI Z535 Standards

Last Updated: January 17, 2023
Posted by: Matt Krysiak in Standards

Administered and published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the ANSI Z535 standards are an American system for presenting safety and accident prevention information. The ANSI Z535 committee develops the standards, which are accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ANSI Z535 corresponds to the international ISO 3864 standard and is comprised of …

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How Does a Boiler Deaerator Work? What’s the Function of a Boiler Deaerator, and How do They Operate?

Last Updated: January 17, 2023
Posted by: Matt Krysiak in Safety

Boiler deaerators commonly are used to remove oxygen and other gases from the water that feeds into boilers that generate steam. Deaerators are useful because they remove the gases that attach to the metallic components of the steam system and cause corrosion by forming oxides, or rust. Both oxygen and carbon dioxide are responsible for …

How Does a Boiler Deaerator Work? What’s the Function of a Boiler Deaerator, and How do They Operate? Read More

How to Select a Valve Actuator: Types of Valve Actuators, Appropriate Sizing, Safety Criteria, and More

Last Updated: January 18, 2023
Posted by: Matt Krysiak in Safety

Valve actuators are a type of control valve, and there are many options available to meet plant-wide and individual automation requirements. While simple in concept, consisting of a box with an input, output, and a mechanism to operate a valve, there are actually quite a few considerations in choosing the right valve actuator. And because …

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The Complete NADCAP Guide: Auditing, Accreditation, Requirements, and More

Last Updated: January 18, 2023
Posted by: Matt Krysiak in Standards

Nadcap (formerly known as the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) is a worldwide cooperative program of major companies designed to manage a cost-effective consensus approach to special processes and products and provide continual improvement within the aerospace and defense industries. We’ve created this guide to provide everything you need to know about Nadcap auditing, …

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What is a Safety Data Sheet? The Purpose of Safety Data Sheets, Formatting and Content Requirements, and More

Last Updated: January 18, 2023
Posted by: Matt Krysiak in Safety

A Definition of Safety Data Sheet Safety data sheets (SDS) are a component of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The system standardizes hazard classification criteria and chemical hazard communication elements around the world. While the GHS is not a regulation, it is a framework that guides manufacturers through classifying …

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Proper Valve Labeling and Identification Tips: Labeling the Right Parts, Understanding Labeling Standards, Valve Tags, and More

Last Updated: January 18, 2023
Posted by: Matt Krysiak in Standards

Improving a facility’s safety and efficiency often is as simple as using proper valve labeling and identification practices. Even though valves may not be a main component of heavy machinery, they can do quite a bit of damage if someone opens the wrong valve. The other benefit of using the appropriate valve labeling and identification …

Proper Valve Labeling and Identification Tips: Labeling the Right Parts, Understanding Labeling Standards, Valve Tags, and More Read More

Aircraft Data Plates: Everything You Need to Know (Including FAA Requirements)

Last Updated: January 18, 2023
Posted by: Matt Krysiak in Nameplates

A Definition of Aircraft Data Plates Aircraft data plates contain all of the vital information about an aircraft. Typically made of metal, aircraft data plates are etched with registration information such as date of manufacture, model number, serial number, and registration number. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that all aircraft have a data plate, …

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What is the Best Type of Flow Control Valve for Your Application? Learn about Gate Valves, Globe Valves and Other Flow Control Valves

Last Updated: January 18, 2023
Posted by: Matt Krysiak in Safety

There are countless types of valves for use across a variety of industries and applications. When it comes to flow control valves, valve types range from simple to sophisticated; some valves are complex enough to adjust automatically to pressure and temperature variations. No matter their construction, flow control valves are designed to regulate the flow …

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Are Your Metal Nameplates Power Washable? Cleaning Tips for All Types of Metal Nameplates

Last Updated: January 18, 2023
Posted by: Matt Krysiak in Nameplates

For industries that clean their equipment on a regular basis, it is important for equipment managers to know the best approach to cleaning metal nameplates to avoid deterioration and dullness that can impact readability over time. The best approach is to clean metal nameplates according to the material that it is made of because some …

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4 Trucking Compliance Tips to Make Regulatory Compliance Less Painful

Last Updated: March 21, 2023

Regulations impacting the trucking industry can be complex, but compliance doesn’t have to be a constant source of stress when you put the right systems and methods in place. In fact, if you implement best practices and ongoing oversight, your trucking operation can run like a well-oiled machine.  Most regulations are determined by the Federal …

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101 Safety Data Sheet Resources: Chemical, Government, and Manufacturer SDS Resources, Software and Apps, and More

Last Updated: January 22, 2023
Posted by: Matt Krysiak in Safety

Safety data sheets (SDS), formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard, are a critical piece of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. Safety data sheets are informational sources about chemicals that provide hazard information and safety precautions to …

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The Complete Guide to Industrial Safety Signs: Types of Signs, Regulations, Standards and Best Practices to Promote Safety in the Workplace

Last Updated: January 18, 2023
Posted by: Matt Krysiak in Safety

Industrial safety signs are commonplace across many industries. They take a variety of forms, but all industrial safety signs are designed to promote safety by informing workers, operators, and passersby of potential dangers in certain areas, near equipment, or in proximity to hazardous materials.  Being related to safety measures in industrial settings, industrial safety signage …

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The 50 Best Fleet Tracking Systems (and Apps) to Manage, Streamline and Track Your Fleet

Last Updated: February 11, 2023

For companies with a fleet, no matter the size, knowing where your vehicles are, when they require maintenance, and how to reduce travel time and fuel costs is critical to your bottom line. Fleet tracking software systems give you the visibility you need to track and manage your fleet efficiently while streamlining your operations, reducing …

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What are UL 969 Standards for Marking and Labeling? Certification Steps, Categories, and More

Last Updated: March 21, 2023

A Definition of UL 969 Standards for Marking and Labeling Sometimes referred to as ANSI 969, UL 969 is the standard for labels and markings. Items produced under this standard are pre-qualified and tested by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for durability. Specifically, UL 969 is the standard for marking and labeling systems used for permanent product …

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15 Practical Workplace Safety Apps For Apple & Android

Last Updated: January 18, 2023
Posted by: Matt Krysiak in Safety

How can one provide aid when a worker falls or comes in contact with hazardous chemicals? Could you prevent the next employee from falling with one simple app? Find the answers and more as you learn about these handy workplace safety apps.

How To Read A Forklift Nameplate (In Plain English)

Last Updated: January 18, 2023

Every year, there are almost 100 deaths and over 34,000 injuries due to forklift (powered industrial truck) accidents (source). According to OSHA, many of these are the result of “improper equipment” and a lack of training. In other words, these accidents could be avoided. The nameplates, also called data plates (the two terms are used …

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A Tribute To The World’s Most Incredible Trains

Last Updated: January 18, 2023

Trains helped build our nation, and created connections between far-away places that are still in use today. They come in an amazing amount of variations and perform many different functions, serving as an integral component of our infrastructure. Proud to serve this vital industry, we are sharing our picks for the world’s most incredible trains.

The Six Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in America

Last Updated: January 18, 2023
Posted by: Matt Krysiak in Energy

Hydroelectric plants are engineering wonders, providing us with electricity from water. Water rushes in and moves turbines, which propel a metal shaft within a generator. The generator then acts as a motor that produces electricity.

The Life-Saving Importance of Medical Labels

Last Updated: January 18, 2023
Posted by: Matt Krysiak in Safety

When only a few seconds separate life from death, a clear medical device instruction label is crucial. Life-saving devices such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are not only used by medical professionals, but also common citizens who suddenly and unexpectedly find themselves in dire situations. While working frantically to save a life with an AED, …

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