Document 2yzdx8j8MX3Qzw0NEv58rRq5

auconnNBEiuiT CMAaMAM RICHARD W. MOASR ' * YKS-CMAtlMAM W. T. BIAXX STAMUT S. ETHWART HORAir SAFETY IS BETTER THAN COMPENSATION s The IndustrlCl Commission of Ohio Columbus 15 SAFETY AND HYGIENE JAMES H.FUnOER wmonBamr O. SCOTT KA1UNBAUGH Richard V. Morse, Chairman Industrial Commission of Ohio Columbus, Ohio April Dear Mr. Morse: Re* Moraine.Products Dir., General Motors Corp. Dayton, Ohio On April 20, 1950, accompanied by Mr. Don Hanna, a visit vas made to this plant to obtain information regarding some reported cases of dermatitis among the employeos. The investigation vas made in compliance vith your request. At the time of investigation, Vayne: Taylor, Personnel Director, and Dr. Lyda, Plant Physician, vere interviewed. The cases of dermatitis which have recently developed in De partments 5 and 7 of this plant were discussed. It vas found by consulting hospital records that 14 cases developed in January, 5 in February, 4 in March and none in April, making a total of 23 cases among 334 men and women employed in these departments. It was further learned that all of these cases were given treatment and kept at employment, either at their regular work or by changing to different occupations where there would be no exposure to anything that might produce dermatitis. A visit was made to Department 5 ini' which it was found that a number of men are employed operating machines On which bearings are reamed and polished. This operation is called .bearing!zing. During this operation a stream of oil is required on-each bearing and about six of these operations are performed simultaneously on each machine. The operation is such that there is a splashing of oil from the mov ing parts in all directions and some of the oil is splashed upon the hands and arms of the operators. A metal shield has been installed which provides some protection. The operators are provided with gloves, pliofilm sleeves and aprons if they desire to use them. About 10 days ago a sterilizing unit vas installed by which all of the oil from these machines, after being filtered, is sterilized at a temperature of from 160<> to 180 for a period of 30 minutes. Laboratory tests recently made have.shown that this oil, which form erly contained bacteria, after being treated was reported sterile. Dr, Lyda expressed the opinion that some of the cases of dermatitis resulted from contact vith.the oil which .had = been used in these ma- -2- RVM - Moraine Products Dir., GMC, Dayton, 0. 4-24-50 In Department 7, a number of men and vomen are engaged in hand ling and testing a number of small parts* A part of the process con sists In rust-proofing these parts by immersion in a mixture of oil, alcohol and a rust inhibitor* Most of this work is done by placing the parts in a metal basket vhich is submerged in the solution and then plaoed in a centrifuge to remove the excess* After a number of cases of dermatitis developed during the month of January it vas found that through an error one of the employees had been putting an excessive amount of rust inhibitor In the solution. This resulted in the formation of an irritating compound vhich vas thought to have been responsible for many of the cases vhich had developed in that department. This has nov been corrected and the solution kept vith a minimum amount of the inhibitor. These employees are also provided vith personal protective equipment. Washrooms are provided and it is found that they are equipped vith standard Bradley Units and various types of soap are being tried in an effort to find a preparation that vill cleanse vithout produc ing irritation. Some difficulty has been ecperienced in getting the employees to thoroughly remove irritating substances from their hands and arms as is necessary in the proper prevention of dermatitis* It is possible that some of the employees are exposed to skin irritants outside of their employment vhich may also be a factor in a fev of the cases* It is believed that this company has adequate facilities for making the necessary laboratory teats and are at present doing all that is possible to prevent the development of further cases of dermatitis. This is indicated by the fact that there has been a marked reduction in the number of cases durlrg the past fev veeks. Because of the satisfactory manner in vhich the situation has been handled by the company no recommendations vere made. Should further cases develop ve vill be glad to make further investigation Respectfully submitted. VE0:JP