In a lab, there are so many things to monitor. Understanding what you have on hand, the liquid level, pressure and temperature can be a full-time job in itself. Telemetry, or a system of digital sensors designed to track weight, liquid levels, pressure and temperature, can be a lifesaver.
How do you know when you need a mode change in your gas supply? Whether it is from cylinders to liquid cans or cradles, or to micro-bulk or bulk gas, you need to think about a few factors.
Gas leaks in laboratories do much more than just cost money – they can lead to contamination by introducing atmosphere, or impacting gas purity or moisture levels. Even a minuscule leak can cause massive issues. For instance, a gas may be 99.999% pure but a leak can decrease that purity number exponentially, affecting any related work.
Do you have an audit coming up? S.J. Smith can help with that. We can make sure your cylinders are secured correctly, check to see if you are using the correct regulators, and confirm that you’re using the recommended gas storage methods.
Working in the heat means preparing to prevent heat illness. Always make sure to hydrate before, during and after work – even if you are not thirsty. Consider electrolytes, rather than energy or caffeine liquids. Dress in loose-fitting breathable clothing with natural fibers, and take breaks as you’re able to let your body recover. Even though it’s tempting to remove gloves or hard hats during hotter temperatures, always wear PPE where required.
Nitrogen has all kinds of uses in the food and beverage industry, from removing oxygen in food packaging to keep things like nuts and potato chips crisp, to carbonating beer and soda, and oxidizing wine, to aeration in chocolate production. Handling Nitrogen safely is important to preserving its use, and your health.
The welding process can be potentially dangerous. To perform welding functions safely, welding operators need to be familiar with the seven major areas of welding safety.
Welding procedures are critical to the quality and repeatability of welds in a shop setting. Three documents make up the complete picture of a specific weld and its quality. As a fab or production shop, your reputation is vitally important and your weld quality is a major factor in your reputation.
Dry ice – it’s an amazing substance that can help store, transport and preserve food items, and also blast and clean surfaces. S.J. Smith produces fresh dry ice for walk-in and delivery customers, for just about every kind of use. Here are a few tips for using and moving dry ice properly.
Moving, transporting and storing cylinders can be a challenge. It’s important to make sure you’re using the correct equipment to store and move cylinders properly, not only so they operate as intended when you need them, but also to prevent any injuries.
Using CO2 in the food and beverage industry can make sure drinks stay carbonated, and food stays cold during transport, as well as extend the shelf life of fresh produce. However, it’s important to be aware of CO2 hazards, and to take preventive measures.
S.J. Smith has joined the PurityPlus program as of Jan. 1. PurityPlus is a nationwide partnership of select independent specialty gas companies.
S.J. Smith has joined IWDC as of April 1. IWDC is a cooperative of independent welding distributors across the country.
Six participants, including S.J. Smith CEO Richelle Smith-Brecht, participated in The CEO Track, the opening session to the GAWDA National Convention in Colorado Springs, CO in October.
Panel members included Smith-Brecht; Jason Krieger, president/CEO, American & Gas; Jenny McCall, president, WESCO Gas & Welding Supply, Inc.; Mark Raimy, CEO, Welders Supply Company; Wally Brant, CEO, Indiana Oxygen Company; and Alex Kennedy, CEO, Red Ball Oxygen. Discussion centered on the SWOT analysis, discussing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the industrial gas and welding industry.
When asked about what a good day as a CEO looks like, Smith-Brecht said typically, that is a day where “we are making decisions, pushing the company forward, with the values that are most important to S.J. Smith.”
“I love being involved with the employees, so a good day for me is being in a CI meeting, working with employees, understanding their strengths and what they’re bringing to the progress of the team. Communication for me is integral. Always, my job is … making sure the company is going after the short-term and long-term goals, our vision, our mission statement and more importantly our values.”
In light of current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, as well as recommendations from GAWDA (Gases and Welding Distributors Association), S.J. Smith has revised business contingency plans and health measures in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
