Document 37GLk8aZ4bGOMejYGb09wEZBJ

NATIONAL SAFETY NEWS Published Monthly by the Notional Safety Council FEBRUARY, 1948 Vol. 57, No. 2 ARTICLES THE COVER: To remind employee that tho efRco hat Hi hatardt, too, tho Wheoetla Power and Light Company, Madhuri, Wit, itayod thh cono. Tho victim of tho "accWant" it Mia Margaret Kafly, rocoptionitt, . _ la tho company's Salat Department. Post*r* wfHi Throe Dimensions--C. L R. Dougherty___ ............. .... 18 Fume end Dust Exposures--V. J Castrop......................................... 20 The Men for the Job--Morris S. VHeles.............................................22 Modem Is the Word for It.................... ............................. ...... 24 Fatigue States--Sidney A. Portis, M.D.,..................... ....................... 26 The Diary of a Safety Engineer: "The Sandbag"--Bill Andrews..... 29 Fire Fighting Revolution--Paul W. Kearney..................................... 30 The Industrial Safety Panel: "Prizes for Safe Workers".................. 34 The Illuminating Address--Larry Davis and Bill Midgely................ 36 sty's Place in Ceramic Plant Engineering--John L Carruthers.. 37 .ide That Coil of Rope--Capt. Aylmer R. Hatch........................ 38 Protection for Freedom Train Documents--P. W. Eberhardt....... . 44 Handling and Storage of Sulfur--Industrial Data Sheet D-PP.5.... 40 DEPARTMENTS . . .17 Tho Safety Volvo___ f...... . ........... 31 Tho Smelter Pleat................ ............ 32 Cause and Cura ............ ......... 33 Asked and Answered ____ ........... 54 Industrial Health _____ ........... 54 The Accident Bercyneter___ ______ 51 -> 40 Personals ................... ....... .... 45 Div Safety Library--.... ..... -- ... 4* The Honor Roll. -- ..... .......... .... 72 Teel, for Year Safety Program..._ YT Safety Potters._____________ __ ... f New Products..............-.............. ...no Carman Fish, Editor C H. Moles, Advertising Manager Norval Busch, Associate Editor Ralph Moses, Art Director Bill Andrews, Editorial Director Statements and opinions advanced in signed articles are the personal expres sions of their authors, not necessarily those of the National Safety Council,. Copyright 1948 by National Safety Council, Inc. Printed in U. S. A. Entered as second class matter June 1, 1921, at the Post Office at Chicago, Illinois, tinder the Act of March 3,1879. Subscription rate: To members, (430 per year, single copies, 45 cents; to non-members, $6.75 per year, single copies 67 cents. Quan- ' prices for yearly subscriptions and single issues on requesL Member Audit su of Circulation. Indexed in Industrial Arts Index. 24,400 coplot of the lug. wore printed 2 In This Issue ... Many a pooler idea can lie blown up into . a life-site, animated display -- one that people simply can't ignore. Here are some excellent examples that are outstanding be cause the cleverness of the idea'hasn't ob scured the safety message. (Page 18). Fume and dust exposures are problem, in many industries. This article discusses some of the more common exposures with an appraisal et the hazards (Page 20). Placement tests, like all procedures in. valving the human element, are sot infal lible but they do prevent many occupational misfits, some of whom would he oerious hazards in certain jobs. Here it a aummary f recent developments in this field by a arell-knotfn authority. (Page 22), Fatigue may result from one or more of a vast number of causes, concerning both . the individual and his environment. Here are some new angles to the subject pre sented from the medics! point of view. (Page 26). More problem* confront the hero of our safety engineer** diary as an unsympathetic bos* remind* him that the deadline for (bowing results is getting closer. (Page 29). Improvised fire-fighting equipment, sup plementing standard apparatus, gave a good account of itself in the foreet fires in Maine last October. The idea i* applicable to many locations. (Page 30). Rewarding employees for safe work is sometime* considered in the same class at paying a youngster to be good. But in both case* incentives can be used to advantage, and recognition means more than the cash value of the reward. The Industrial Safety Panel discusses this old and controversial subject. (Page 34). National Safety Council 20 North lYocker Drive Chicago 6, Illinois Hew York Office--TOO Ciryrior tide, New York IT. Wettore Office-- Iff SmHf Str--f, Soa Framchco WILLIAM A. IRVIN. Chairman. Board of' Trustoos CLEO F, CRAIG. Chairman, Board of Dimfon NED K DEARBORN. President GUY L NOBLE. Vice-prasident for Form* O. GRESSENS, Vtoe-presldent for Finance end Treasurer DR. D. B. ARMSTRONG. Vice-president for Homot GEORGE A. JACOBY. Vice-president for Industry KENNETH B. COLMAN. Vice-president for Local Safety Organisations E. W. KEMPTON, Vice-president for Mom* berthlp W. EARL HALL, Vice-president for Public Information DR. HENRY T. HEALD, Vice-president for Schools and Cotlagas LESLIE J. SORENSON, Vice-president for Traffic and Transportatian MRS. L. K. NICHOLSON, Vice-president for Woman's Activities lecosnitlon and Control of Fume and Dust Exposure By V. J. CASTROP esponsibility for employee health and to the administrative work of his R is delegated by management to department As a result, he has inthe medical director, while the safe. tsyufficient time for plant surveys. This director is charged with accident pre is particularly true in plants where vention activities. For the smooth the doctor is employed on a part-time functioning oj[ either department, it is basis. necessary thjJ these individuals work A safety engineer who is capable in harmonyj of recognizing conditions which may The safety engineer spends much of his time in the plant and usually is well informed about working condi tions. The doctor, on the other hand, must spend most of his time tending to the medical needs of the employee be detrimental to health is an excel lent team mate for the doctor in a health maintenance program. The safety engineer need not be capable of actually sampling air in the envi ronment or designing a ventilation system for the control of toxic ma V. J. Cupor it Astislant Head, Indus terials. He should, however, have trial Hygiene Department, Research Lab oratories Division, General Motors Corp., 'etroit, Mich. This article has been con- :naed from a paper presented at the Automotive and Machine Shop Section, knowledge of the materials which have been proved harmful, and should have some understanding of basic control measures. 35th National Safety Congress. The safety engineer, as well as the doctor, should be informed as is where he can obtain the technical per sonnel to do the sampling and de tailed study of the environment and engineering personnel to render as sistance in the control of exposure. Such assistance may be obtained fro* the industrial hygiene divisions either the health or labor department* of many states. Some city govern ments likewise have industrial by-, giene bureaus. In addition to these governmental agencies, many insurance carriert have on their staffs men who at* capable of sampling and rendering engineering assistance. Private con sultants are also available, or yon may find that an industrial hygienic is employed by your own organtf*tion. TO bndt oattid* ii oI repot blotting ament. Fine tilIta and water under pert- ore ated. Cabineti mutt bt maintained leakage of mitt doet not occur. toco/ etbauit ventilation of toidering operaliont. ir/ * i' rmied as to achnical per* ^ :ng and de- s jwnment ndjj o. render 4 exposure. ^ rlaincd from j~ divisions of sir .-departments 3 <ty govern- dustrial hy-- vcrnmental .W . i me carriers on who are ii rendering ;r:!rivate con- dt you .... ji nygienist ji organize--*0 , btmary, 194$ j'lijc discussion will he limited to i-a-i' |>rtM'i|>l<'^ of industrial hygiene i. the) relate to fume and dust c\|nisiire>. t" indicate what control measures are available or used to |.rotnt the employee's health, mid to all altenlion to njieratinns and iliaictial- uhich an- commonly used in nuln-liv. at the same lime indicating -t-nciall' accepted opinion as to their .-lli-i I on health. Mail' conditions ale improved lor n-asons olliei than their ellect upon lealth. liettei products, heller emI >lo\ ei - relationship, tcdut'linti in iiiainli-naiice of cipiipineut may he ilcil as juslilii alion for managenicnt s decisions for such rnri'cclinu. Definitions I..i\ 11-n 11 i-ipienllv designate as "huue am ' ipoi. fog. gas. etc., tliev m.iv encounter. In industry, the plat ing mist nvci a chrome tank, the va|hii or gases, at a inclal-cleaning i|M-ration or the exhaust gases frnm a truck are freipientlv referred to as "fumes." To the industrial hygienist, tin- lei in has a more definite mean ing. Kor this discussion, fume may he considered to be particulate matter formed hv the cimdensalioii of a va por. A molten hath of lead at a high temperature causes the metal to volatili/e and form a vapor. I pen contact t'illi the cooler surrounding almosphere eoiideusation occurs and the phvsical stale changes frnm vapor to a solid metallic particle. \\ Idle dust is also a solid particle, it is formed hv the disintegration of solid materials hv grinding, crushing, abrasion, or similar action. Fume particles are general!' small in diameter, with the si/.e dependent upon the type of fume, the extent of llocculatinii. and other factors. Dust particles of hygienic significance are those liclcwccii one and ten microns in si/e. i2->. IfNI microns are opii'a lent to one inch I. (icncrail' speakinp.ftlirn: arc two means of entrance of toxic coinpounds into the human Imdy--hy in gestion or ' ia the respirator'' liacl through inhalation of fumes, dusts, mists or gases. Ingestion is of im portance if toxic materials which have a svsleinic ellect are used and aihspiate washing facilities are not provided, or. "here the cmplovees are sloveulv in personal hahits. Inhalation is considered the most important portal of entry of fumes or dusts and the particle si/e. there fore. Iiecoiin-s significant in evaluat ing exposure, flic particles which cause the physiological changes are those which are small enough to re main siis|M-nde<l in the air and not those which iimncdiatelv fall to the Hour. Fixing pai tides, which mav cause eye injuries arc not of hygienic significance since tliev are not of respirable sic. To judge the serious ness of an exposme hy the quanlitv of detritus adjacent to an ojieration ioften misleading. This is es|>eciall\ true where mechanical ventilation re moves the fine material hut is inade (plate to trap hi convex the larpei particles. In evaluating an exposure it is nee essary to consider the loxieitv of tin material, the duration of the expo sure, the average conecutration of tin contaminant with special atteutim lieing paid to those operations "hiel produce high concent i at ions at somphase of an o|M-raling evcle. and tin measures which have been provide! -To page 51 National Safety Newt, February, I94t T Fume and Dust Exposure with resultant failure of the respira tory system. While welding in large --From page 21 open areas these toxic gases are nor to control the exposure. Medical rec ords of the individuals subjected to the exposure may be of value if the 'laminations are thorough and fre quent and not of a cursory type. It must be remembered that occupa tional diseases are slow in develop ment and in some instances lasting in effect Slow changes may not be detected, and the mere fact that cases have not occurred does not mean that exposures to known toxic materials may be ignored. Determination of the concentration of the toxic material in the air is im portant in evaluating the exposure. Tests of this type are indicative not only of the degree of contamination but also, in some instances,- which operation is the major offender. The apparatus used in collecting the contaminant and the method used in estimating the amount present in the atmosphere vary with the type of material. Tests of this type are spec ialized in nature- and are beset with many pitfalls which can lead to er The mere fact that these Umits are exceeded does not necessarily mean that someone will become definitely ill. But there is a good probability that someone will suffer ill effects if the limit is greatly exceeded for a considerable period. There remain* much to be learned regarding tbe toxicity of many substances used in industry. So much for the general picture. Now let's look at some specific opera tions. Welding Welding processes most commonly, used can be divided into three types, arc, gas, and resistance. The safety measures pertaining to clothing, gog gles, and helmets are of common knowledge and will not be considered here. Arc welding when performed on uncoated steel does not produce a condition considered harmful to tbe welder, provided it is done in a com paratively large open area. The fumes mally not present in sufficient quan. tities to cause harmful effects. How. ever, when welding is done in codfined areas, the nitrogen oxides nuy reach a concentration which will be harmful. Gas welding generally is not productive of harmful fumes. There are, however, in brazing two potentially harmful exposures. While boric acid or borates generally are used in braz ing fluxes, some metals require fluxa containing significant quantities of fluoride compounds and fumes from these fluxes have been known to pro duce significant nasal irritation. Fluorides in general are looked upon with suspicion since they may produce harmful effects upon tbe bone structure. A limit of 2.5 mg. per cubic meter has been suggested for fluorides, but no standard has been agreed upon. Most industrial hygien ists attempt to keep them as low as practicable. Silver solder is one of tbe more comhion alloys used in brazing. Sold ers of this type vary in composition roneous conclusions if done by in which result from welding consist es and may in some instances contain experienced personnel. sentially of tbe oxides of iron and cadmium which, if volatilized in suf ermissibls Limits oxides of metals which may comprise ficient quantities, is considered harm the steel or coating of the welding ful. At present the suggested limit for In a discussion pertaining to toxic materials it is generally necessary to quote permissible concentrations, or as it is sometimes expressed--maxi mum allowable concentrations--per missible limits, or threshold limits. These terms are used extensively by industrial hygien&ts to indicate con centrations of a substance in the air which are considered compatible with good health. The limit usually applies to exposures of eight hours duration for q prolonged period. The limits 4re, for the most part, advisory standards or bench marks which are practical to meet In gen eral, these limits are derived from three types of evidence all of which have value and limitations. 1. Animal* have been exposed at dif ferent concentnu'ons and the effect* noted. 2. A few experiments hare been made on huiSan subject* for abort period* of time. 3. Safe limits have been arrived at by measuring the concentrations of sub stance in the workroom air and cor relating this information with results of medical examinations ef workmen. rod. Some investigators have found characteristic markings on chest x-rays of men who have welded under severe conditions for long periods of time. These markings are presumably due to the deposition of iron fumes within the lungs, but it has not been demonstrated that such fumes have caused physical impairment A frequently suggested limit for welding fume is 15 milligrams of iron oxide per cubic meter of air. Con centrations of this magnitude existing in the workroom would materially re duce visibility and thereby become a nuisance or an unsafe condition re quiring correction. Welding within confined areas such as tanks, inside machinery or equip ment or in small rooms presents a condition which can be of concern. Tbe concentration of fume is materi ally higher under these conditions as there is little opportunity for dilution by natural air currents normally pres ent in a large shop. Nitrogen oxides formed by the electric arc when in haled in sufficient quantities causes fluids to form in the lung--edema-- cadmium fume in air is 1 milligram per 10 cubic meters of air. Resistance, spot, or butt welding of plain steel is of no concern from the physiological standpoint. The fumes arising from such operations general ly are caused by the volatilized oil which has come upon the metal stock during previous operations or has been placed upon the metal as a rust preventive. The preceding discussion of weld ing operations has been based upon tbe assumption that tbe metals being welded are of plain steel. The per formance of welding operations, ei ther arc, gas, or resistance, upo metals which have been coated with such toxic materials as lead, cadmi um, or mercury may cause harmful exposures. The heat of the flame or of the arc causes volatilization of these metals. Welding or cutting terne plate or other metals containing significant quantities of lead can r*suit in the volatilization of lead fun* which if inhaled for a sufficient pc*1od of time, may result in lead absorp- . --To poft ^ 12 .<( lurlinj*" Mill* Corp. Bristol Weaving Co., Bristol, Tenn. ...January 19, 1940, to date; 360 em-lovees; 6^18,430 man-hours as of pecemhrr 17, 1947. A plaque and sre awarded for each million man-hours without a disabling in jury- (R*yn weaving). The Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. Akron Mechanical Shop--Novem ber 12,1946, to date; 2,000,000 manbours as of December 22, 1947. New Orleans Public Service Inc. Hew Orleans, La., -- Mechanical Operation Section, Power Division, Electric Department--May 17, 1944, to date; 51 employees; 500,000 man hours as of December 31, 1947. y Using SKIDMASTER Fume end Dust --From page 52 lion and ultimate poisoning. The cut ting or welding of surfaces which have been coated with paint contain ing lead has caused lead poisoning. Welding of cadmium plated mater ial was attributed as the cause of ill ness and even death to a number of individuals during the war. The re ported cases indicated that death oc curred in a comparatively short time after the exposure. Welding of galvanized metal causes the volatilization of the zinc coating. Temporary discomfort associated with metal fume fever may result from such exposure. Where warranted, control of weld ing fumes is generally accomplished by providing a mechanical ventilation system. The type of ventilation used is dependent upon the nature of the welding. When the object to be weld ed is positioned in a fixture or jig it is possible to obtain effective control of the fumes by the use of a grill, tide hood, or flexible duct near the source of fume. If the parts are large *nd it is necessary to weld more than foot from a fixed point, it is difficult to obtain good control of the fume with reasonable air volumes through system using flexible ducts. Since the effective range of most flexible ducts is approximately eight nches from the dust opening, it is necessary for the welder to move the duct whenever the arc is outside this range. The practical result is that Hetleeet Setety Hewi, Febreerv. Whenever there's a slipping hazard there's a possible time lost accident a possible compensa tion claim and a need for suro-grip easy-to-wear SKIDMASTERS. StaSafe SKIDMASTERS assure safe looting on oil-slick floors or other slippery surfaces. Indoors or out SKIDMASTERS offer economical protection against slipping hazards. Witte tor Bulletin No. 104 STANDARD SAFETY EQUIPMENT COMPANY 232 West Ontario Street, Chicago 10, Illinois NEWARK - - CUVIIAND IOS ANOIIIS KEEP IT CLEAN Specialists in Powdered Hand Cleaners 0 e SOPAC--heeded totpi tad vegetable icrebber e STEROPAC--ph 7.0 LANOPAC--ceatalai laaella S OOROPAC--borax scrubber "A Wee lit Gee a Leeg Way" WE INVITE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU SKOTCH PRODUCTS CORPORATION 2710-12 Detroit Ave. Cleveland 13. Ohio most ducts are normally nut moved welding. Circulating fans directed a respirator. It is sufficient in inog and the ventilation system does not remove the fumes. According to re ports, this type of system has been effectively used in shipyards for the control of welding fumes in confined areas. In view of this experience it should therefore be a satisfactory from the side help to dilute the fume which may he concentrated in the breathing zone of the welder. Another means of control is the use of personal respiratory equip ment. Air line respirators and fume respirators have been developed welding for the employee to wear in ordinary helmet and to arrange the position of the work so as to prevent the concentrated fume from flow- In8 under the helmet. Dry Grinding means of control for welding fumes which will provide adequate protec Dust resulting from the grinding in tanks. However, supervision and tion. Some manufacturers have on of nontoxic metals which are free c( education are necessary to make such the market welders' helmets with fa sand is generally considered a nui systems effective. cilities for providing fresh air to the sance and is not harmful per ir. Where the room volume per welder wearer. Use of this type of equip Despite this fact some state laws re is large, natural ventilation within ment has been limited. Since the quire grinding operations to be ven the plant is usually sufficient to pre welder is already burdened with hel tilated. This requirement has prob vent accumulation of excessive con- met, goggles, and protective clothing ably been a holdover from the days ventration of fumes from plain steel he probably will not be receptive to when sandstone wheels were preva lent and also to prevent the creation of a nuisance condition. Grinding wheels in use in industry have arti ficial abrasives, such as aluminum ox ide or silicon carbide. Emery, a nat ural product composed essentially of aluminum and magnetic oxide of iron, mav also be used. A permissible limit of 50 million particles per cubic foot of air for aluminum oxide and silicon carbide was recently accepted DOfcY.OmGErSTHESE.. EXCLUS1 VE^TEATU RESr^n*? ecause..- :> ^ by the members of the American Conference of Governmental Indus trial Hygienists. Such a limit is lib eral and concentrations of such mag SAFE-HI has straight ridges of mixed cord and rubber in the Tread nitude are normally not encountered. When lead, silica, or some similar toxic material comes in contact with For smooth, dry surfaces, you must hero ruhbar . . . because rubber holds firmly on DRY surfoces, but would slip on wet surfaces. the grinding wheel the exposure to the abrasive matter may be ignored and the exposure evaluated on the basis of the toxic material. If this latter material ia controlled, the nui For wot, slippery surfaces, you must hare card . . . becouse cord holds securely on wet surfoces. sance will also be eliminated. Ventilation systems for grinding < wheels have been fairly well stand- | ardized and generally are satisfactory to prevent a nuisance. Hoods should For froesy, soapy surfaces, you must hare straight ridges . . . becouse ridges cut thru and scrape off fpreign matter, end grip the surface itself. enclose the wheel as completely as is practicable. Air volumes should be sufficient to cause an inward flow into the hood when using the smallest wheel. This is especially true where / toxic materials are involved. For snowy, icy surfaces, you must hove s spike -- and a sharp ana . . . because dull spikes ore a hazard. The SAFE-HI spike is selfshorpening . . . olways sharp. Ask your safety deafer or write us ROSE MANUFACTURING CO. 1731 Arapahoe St. Denver 2, Cola. Wet Grinding Baffles, hoods, and guards are gen erally located near wet grinding wheels to prevent dispersion of the liquid used as a coolant. These de vices are usually sufficient to control the dust if it is nontoxic in natureIf the dust liberated is toxic, me chanical exhaust ventilation may be required. Buffing and Polishing Buffing compounds applied 10 74 N#wt, Fibryjry,