Document 3e4pMDyGkMrLz2XwYkpLqYXka

REPORT OP TECHNSCAL SERVICES STUDY PREPARED FOR: OWENS-CORNING FIBSRGLAS CORPORATION BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS SUBJECT- OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE SURVEY PREPARED BY E. B. ENGEL INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST SURVEY DATE AUGUST 17, 1970 P.S. PERSONAL SERVICE FROM THE OFFICE OF- PICTON-CAVANAUGH, INC. This study has been made to assist the named insured in a toss control program, it is confidential and is not to be used for any other purpose, it does not purport to include every loss potential, code violation or exception to good practice but relates only to those hazards specifically examined and described herein. An Engineering Service of: IC-24K0-BI 6-69 UPE & CASUALTY Hartford. Connecticut CAT. 11*104 PAINTED in u.s.a. 01 100 0038 OWENS-CORNING FIBERGLAS CORPORATION BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS August 17, 1970 PURPOSE: The Bloomington, Illinois, location is a new acquisition for the Owens-Coming Fiberglas Corporation. This was our initial visit to evaluate employee exposures to potential occupational disease hazards. CONCLUSIONS: The UNARCO hoard process was not operating at the time of our visit so specific measurements could not he made. Our examination of the equipment and review of the process indicate that there are uncontrolled exposures to asbestos and free silica. In the Plastic Department,; air samples were taken for MDI. These air samples were negative showing that the MDI exposure is adequately controlled. CONTACTS: The following personnel were contacted: K. Pearson, Plant Manager, and C. Zsaraay, Plant Engineer. R. Short, Etna Engineering Representative from our Peoria Office accompanied us on this survey. PROCEDURES: Air samples for MDI were taken using the Mine Safety Appliance Company TDI testing kit. RESULTS: Air samples for MDI were taken on the control platform in the reactor area, the area beside the mixing head of the Jennings machine, at the point where the foaming began, and at the end of the line where the foam is sawed to length. All air samples taken were negative. DISCUSSION: The major exposure in the Plastic Department is from MDI. Due to its low vapor pressure, one does not generally encounter adverse levels except with spraying operations. Our air saaples in this department demonstrated this in that all of our samples were negative. 01 100 0039 2- At the time of this visit, none of the equipment in the UNARCO Board Department was operating. We did examine the equipment and Mr. Zsarnay explained the pro cess to us. Asbestos is dumped into a chopper which is equipped with exhaust ventilation. From the chopper the asbestos is pumped to a mi-ring chamber. To this mixing chamber, silica flour, lime, diatomsoecus earth and water are added. These ingredients are added manually from sacks of these materials. No type of exhaust ventilation control is provided with this station. In this operation, potential exposures exist at two places. There is an exposure to asbestos where it is dumped. This area does have some control but we were un able to make any measurements of its effectiveness. Since no controls are pro vided at the mixing chamber itself and silica flour is fine and readily airborne, an exposure to free silica exists at this point. Most of the saws used to trim the final product to size are equipped with exhaust ventilation. This equipment also needs to be surveyed to be sure that the exhaust ventilation provided is adequate. Most of the equipment in this part of the plant was quite dirty. There was an accumulation of dust on building structures and the surrounding area. Judging from the poor state of cleanliness, we feel that there quite likely are uncontrol led exposures from this operation. Exhaust ducts in both the UNABCO Board Department and the Elastic Department pass to bag collectors located inside the plant. While there are some economic advantages to this system, it is undesirable from a health protection viewpoint. When bag collectors are located inside a plant, one is totally dependent on the perfect operations of these bag collectors to prevent contaminated air reenter ing the work area. Hans are underway to move the bag collectors outside of the plant itself. RECOMMENDATIONS: No recommendations are being submitted with this report. Edward B. Engel ^ Industrial Bygienist ioo 0040