Document 3exYMR0M18Mxqe02VJ3Y4Nz03

FILE NAME: Union Carbide (UC) DATE: 1973 Apr 2 DOC#: UC145 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Unpublished Report - Fiber Counts, Mining & Metals Division with Cover Memo from Union Carbide Medical Dept IN T E R N A L C O R R ESPO N D EN C E UNION CA R B ID E CORPORATION ^ A ' R 9 1973 UCC-CA'_rDp!A 270 YORK, NEW YORK 10017 To(Nom#! Mr ? H. Larrison civilian 1-lining & Metals Division Lacaiian King City, CA 93930 Copy to Mr. J. W. Rawlings Mr, E. A. Piersall Dr. J, J. Welsh/Dr. X. S. Lane D ,,f. April 2, 1973 OripoofngDp. Medical Department Anrwi/7/ig letter dot Subject Dear Mr* Larrison: Attached are the tabulated findings of my survey of airborne fiber (5.0 microns or longer in length) in the work environment at King City, March 20, 21, 1973* No air samples were obtained at locations outside the buildings during this visit owing to nearly continuous rain during the period. During the first day (3/20), there was considerable variation in the pro ducts being bagged in the main bagger area and also variation in the use or non-use of the palletizer. Consequently, the air samples reflect broad changes in operations. During the second day (3/21), the operations stayed constant. The notation palletizer-bagger operator or vice versa is used to des cribe the periodic trade-off in jobs between the two individuals during the day. The notation, bagger-handler or vice versa, reflects a similar job trade but in this case bags were manually palletized at the end of the conveyor in the wet circuit area. While the sample periods do not cover a complete day, I believe it rea sonable to make estimates of the weighted exposures as follows: . 3/20 Bagger-palletizer operator-handler. If. 5 lf.0 3/21 Bagger-handler. 8.0 3/20 Resin-grade bagger operator. 1.6 3/21 Resin-grade bagger operator. Wet circuit operators (including press area) '6 UCC 013817 -2- As you will note, and in line with our discussions, it is questionable if we can reasonably predict, except with a broad range, the levels of fiber that might be encountered in the main bagger area. Consequently, at present, the weighted exposure of bagger operators is similarly diffi cult to predict. For the present, at least, respirators must be 'worn in this area. For the wet circuit areas, it seems reasonable to predict that fiber concentration as a weighted average will be less than 5 .0/ml, and probably less than 2.0/ml. Of course, losses of dust from a dry ore pile or losses of dust through open doors to the bagger areas on windy days could change the picture. These losses will require close control. In line with our discussion during the visit, I recommend that plans be started to provide a clothing change area that '.will allow separation of the work clothes storage and change point from the street clothes storage and change. Provision should be retained, of course, for vacuum cleaning of dusty clothing and shoes to reduce spread of fiber as much as possible. I also recommend that at the same time, provision be made for a lunch area that is separated from the work area. Both of these areas (change and lunch) will probably be required by regulation, shortly. . Yours very truly PWK :mc Enclosure Paul W. McDaniel Industrial Hygiene Engineer UCC 013818 UCC 013819 Sample Identification PalLetizer-bagger operator Bagger-palletizer operator General bagger-palletizer area Bagger-handler Handler-bagger General bagger area Discharge end of conveyor during manual handling of bags. Shifter's office. Viet circuit areas r yResin Grade Area Bagger operator O, General area V Fiber Counts Mining & Metals Division 3/20 - 3/21/73 I&te 3/20 3/20 3/20 3/20 3/20 3/20 3/20 3/20 Sample Type_______ Time PA 9:00-11::30 A PA 9:00-11;:30 A GA 9:00-11::30 A PA 11 :to 1::30 P PA ll :1+1- 1::31 P Fibers per ml 6.3 5.8 2.9 2 .k 1.9 GA 11:37- 1:20 p 1.9 GA 2:38P-to 20 P 3.5 GA l:30F-2:50 P l.h Remarks Bagging and palletizing Imco open fiber. Some problems with conveyor. Bagging and handling Imco open fiber and pellets. Palletizer not used. Bags manually handled at end of conveyor. During bagging pellets and Imco open fiber. Palletiz er down. Pellets and Imco. 3/20 GA 11:50- 1:25 P 0.3 Same conditions as generally shown above. 3/20 GA 9:30-11:35 A 0.2 See above for conditions. 3/20 GA 11:50- 2:02 P 0-5 * m r. ,, 3/20 GA 2:30- -h;00 P 0.3 :T * M |f 3/20 PA PA 3/20 GA 1:30- 3:23 P 1.5 3:25- U:03 P 1.7 1 :to- 3:50 P 1.6 Normal bagging operation,. Dagger-Handler Bagger area general 3/21 PA 3/21 PA 3/21 PA 3/21 GA 3/21 GA 3/21 GA Discharge end of bag conveyor 3/21 GA (in wet circuit area) 3/21 GA 3/21 GA Resin Grade Area Bagger area 3/21 PA PA PA UCC 013820 . *r 8:20- 9:U0 A 9:>(2-10:39 A 16:39-12:02 A 8 -.23-10:0k A 10:05-11:12 A 11:13-12:15 A 8:28- 9:58 A 9:59-11:05 A 11:06-12:10 A 11.5 5.2 6.8 5.0 3.7 3.3 2.7 7.1 h .k 3:k0-10:00 A 1.5 10:01-11:29 A 1.0 11:30-12:12 A 3.3 Bagging and handling Sylodex RG. Some bags broken. Pallet! zer down. Same as above. Same as above. Bagging resin grade 2kk.