Document 06pBvp3VKKnVpxMDOR7rJ3BnR

FILE NAME: Powhatan (PHN) DATE: 1958 DOC#: PHN016 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Govt Inspection Reports DIVISI1^ OF INDUSTRIAL HEALTH AND AlSjpUi.i.U'iJ.Ui. INVESTIGATION OR SERVICE . t8LilsS. L'fZi li/'ji.JJjecfr tf,'/} '/fj By <J f \ B \ _L Plant r n W H A T ^ f l ^ Mlix/lA/6 C.O,... Industry---H $ b e $ t .Q J - Address W m A K h , l l \ S i . Lokr^ #oaJsj \{JoQ&[tivuwCounty --- I T a m --- Number of Employees: Male \f Qft - Femmaallee__ 3*2*-.__ Total ------ 1 3 =l_------- Purpose Number Involved Survey Reinspection | Study Follow-up Consultation Special Activity Project Activity Persons Interviewed -bit'll. ,r^Ie.t.4_ _D- S > T-fh j F o v m a v } < Occupational Disease Reason Self initiated O.D. Reoort Complaint-Request Management Labor Neighbors Health Office ` Other Problems `` New Recommendations Regarding Environmental Problems Number i Affected Requested Improvement S cimi + a f I0 Y \ \0 \ 4 e w -Vv lei" fc* .3 Date Completed., Past - Completed .4> Made Uncompleted o Field Studies'; Atmospheric Contaminants:*v Physical Conditions: No. Involve; Samples submitted for analysis: File Memo 1^ -- . p]_ant Record ; Letter \a/ rec t Report____ ; Next Visit--- v `-- -- ---- --- Reviewed 7 "X ' : <; * *'..V.".' . f -' \ i.\- V 'V v ' . e*.- ...'V .'- ' * , ; !' 'S ' "' i : -..'V ) ' . ' a . i . ' / / 1 ` ': >''// V :\ '' ' f\ --* - .-V '.'i ;5'.' September 5 1958 ; - ' '.. .V.. '' . ' 'V/V.'V-' T ' ' v'C' . ' :'.;'-;V'V' r '* l i f e Mr*..Fred A* Nett-. ;v.VvVV' !; Powhatan Mining Company . V-'. i- ''.''.!. Woodlawn ; V ''.f-.r'-'1; :" r;i.Ji',7?." Baltiisor 7 Maryland ' : 'i ''V ;yV V - V ~ri' -y''V.'yyYY i 'L': V :*." V'- ' ^ .:v\. . '.' -'^V" "r - ,/ . .V;'V- "T ;bear Hr' Hett: , '\ V. , .* !j v. ' ; J'-VV.i"..**Yi'v* i\> *- We wish to thank you for the cooperation and courtesies shown one of. the men of our Division on August 10, 1958, during his rainspec-- V- tion of your plant This reinspection was made as a part of our prograa for controlling conditions which may adversely affect the health.of workers. Industrial Hygiene- - v,-fV. V;: ' -i*" *-** "jV- s During the survey it was`observed that the installation of new- ' V ' . -eqxxipment was-nearing completion Tha-placing in operation of the . /' new .facilities, including the dust control system, should., go a long way towards eliminating possible asbestosis hazards and improving j.the'iworking environment in'general. .Any recommendations of an in- - `dustrial health nature will be deferred until the new equipment is - seen in operation. ' . , , .% `, V*t^i> !*-Sanitation^ii 11.'v,' : . ':V:. ' ^ .V.. ' _*'* v * I V > < * i -. . V . J -- - ' il ~ .* . * - . ;* irv/j'TK As'-you no doubt?realize, .the present male toilet facilities a r e V :i :.quite?inadequate .and insanitary...:The. place.'is-ankle-deep in: old: , *,* /.;*i : .newspapers presumably .used ia.lieu-of .tissue-paper*.. Swaraarof^V: VvV - * v'.'*' flies infest the-area, no provi3ion being made to eliiainate-theni -;./C; ' .| Hand-washing!facilities are non-exiafcent.iV?';:: 0 '>.V'Vv'-,1:"V\'.':^'}p p ':y ':r.: ..:s>fi-'[J.` It. is suggested that toilet facilities in accordance with modern' '. standards of sanitation be installed. One commode and one urinal would be adequate for the present plant population. A wash stand . - '- -*eT*rk,. I S I S T - , ** V ' t y.ri'**- "\ ' p V-- "it.*-/ < *-*'* } v l. /..'.jr 4'.' with hand-washing materials such as soap and disposable towels in appropriate dispensers and a proper receptacle for disposal of used towels should be provided A copy of the Sanitary Code for Industrial Establishments, in which more details raay be found is enclosed for your guidance. .. . v . . v i V;--* : \ The purpose of the Division of Industrial Health is to assist in-. dustrial plants in all matters relating to occupational health We hope that yon will.feel free to call upon us at any time that-: we may-be able, to serve-your .' : -. : J _V-5: i. y .- *>. - IK : r. >; -.=-V-'Hy : ' : - , -vs. ..c "s f. :`.-v ) '. i*r ... ':. -I- William F. Heiudollar,ScD. Chief. ; -V J. - r. .- 'T - " -. ,T.'4: - ' V \y - v": : . - ,* * . " ** Division of Industrial Health * ' and Air Pollution * ? * ' . !. . .. 'ji \ . i y-^%? W?R*gsb - . " / s i -V... .. v . Ai- . . V . r ? v; iWV-; 1 - ' r r ':;:;i | . n V : : j , ' ; ..r'-'V-"-: '-i' ; ' r-:-v .. - : : \ . . ... -.i -t .. " iifft^giMiittiMS^S^SSSlUsSl^ FILE MEMORANDUM September 5 1958 A reinepection was made of this plant by JAB on 8/10/58. The plant is located about 50 .yards down a lane which may be considered an, extension of St. Lukes Road where it meets Windsor Mill-Raad in Woodlawn. As the owner, Hr. Fred Mett, was visiting North Carolina his daughter was interviewed. She turned the writer over to the foreman, a Mr. Dennis Smith, ::'or the plant survey. ` . Industrial Health As described in pre ious trip sheets this plant i6 involved in the production of asbestos fiber. Asbestos rock, received from North Carolina, Brazil, Bolivia, Central Africa and other points, after being wet down to control dust, is crushed in a ball mill, dried on a coa^-fueled fire box, milled in a rod mill, screened, and bagged for shipping. Asbestos, intended for filtration, is digested for Zk hours in Z0% hydrochloric acid, heated by steam, in out-door pots, washed, and dried preliminary to final screening and bag ging. _ r. - , ' . 1 l - Much effort has been put in to controlling dust at the various operations. I; is believed, however, that exposure hazards still exist at the screening and bag ging areas. The men working at these points are supplied with MSA respirators for toxic dusts bearing Bureau of Mines approval numbers 2101, and 2166 A supplied with filters numbered 2130, 21^7 and 2166. The men were observed to be wearing their respirators. It was stated that all production employees are given chest x-rays by the Tuberculosis Survey Unit every six months. The installation of new equipment, discussed in previous trip sheets, seems to be slowly nearing completion. A new drier, rod mill and dust collector are already in place. It is hoped that the new facilities will be ready for use in a few months. All provisions have been made for the greatest possible dust control we were assured. Moving the acid treatment operation to new facilities, indoors, is 'planned. Sanitation Sanitation facilities for the men are of the most primitive kind. Situated in a weather-beaten shack they consist exclusively of a two-hole plank placed over two pits dug in the ground. The place was ankle-deep in old newspapers presumably used in lieu of tissue paper. Swarms of flies infest the area, no provision being made to keep them out. No washing facilities were provided. Because of the nauseating condition of the premises, one nan stated that he planned his day so that ne never had to use them. Mr. Bingley states that pit privies are acceptable in this area. However, it is thought that a recommendation should be made to the effect that modern toilet and washing facilities be installed. A copy of the proposed Sanitary Code for Industrial Establishments should be forwarded to the Company. JAB*gsb 9/5/58 JAB. \ \ 1