Document 4JGoV8knGG5D40yJp5zdajRQ1

N. D. Johnson R. Schmidt HYPALONS AHEA OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SURVEY NO. 1022-H EEAUMDNT WORKS Field Notes 1981 April 7 J-6 Respirator Fit-Test 'With the increased emphasis by OSHA in the fourth quarter of 1980 for the fittesting of disposable respirators, the plant has elected to discontinue use of these types of respirators, in fa-wor of the Ccmfo H with appropriate cart ridges. This policy has affected mechanics site-wide and selected employees (a phosphate sensitive individual in the Methanol Area). This group of emolovees are now using respirators for which they have not been fit-tested, esting is due this year. It is reccnnended that ennloyees not be o wear respirators that they have not been fit-testi ajxi trained in * ------------r J-7 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus The pressure of the air supply cylinder of a 30-minute self-contained breathing apparatus was only 1600 psig. It is reconroended that the cylinder be maintained in the full condition. A full cylinder will be one in which the pressure gauge is the full indication range or at least within 90S of the rated tank pressure. If monthly regulator checks are responsible for low tank pressures, it may be useful to use a spare cylinder for these inspections. J-8 Employee- Respirator- Cleaning The site uses a cleaning solution of 30* isopropyl alcohol for daily cleaning of individually assigned respirators. Seme locations have encountered problems whan using alcohol containing solutions, which can damage the facepiece by causing swelling or hardening of the rubber. It is recamended that use of alcohols should be avoided. A convenient alternative way to do intermediate cleaning is with an aqueous cleaner/sanitizer solution, e.g., Antiseptic Towelette, by Mad-Pak Corporation, P. 0. Box 5^,. Ppca, W.V. 25159. S-9 S-10 Gloves PVC gloves are used as protection against carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and other solvents. PVC gloves have a low breakthrough time for these solvents. Plans to evaluate, more protective gloves on basis qf .permeability data j collected by Haskell are highly endorsed. / Spill Procedures The area has developed some emergency procedures. Three different sheets address this itam and different statements about personal protective equipment are indicated, e.g., rubber gloves, PVC gloves or only protective equipment for carbon tetrachloride. It is recommended that concise emergency spill proce dures be developed. They should contain beside other information the exact types of protective equipment that should be used in a spill situation. Chemicals with similar properties together. Sample procedures can be provided. Other areas lik teed to develop similar procedures DUP 0502449 DU 002035 Mi1 iw^aei R. Schnidt Field Motes April 7 HEPAXON (Conte*d.) S-H Information on Chemical Hazard* a. Snployees are informed about the hazards of the chemicals they handle annually. This training is documented with the names of the employees and the dates they received this information.^TIt is recommended that the scope of the information on chemicals with carcinogpnip or eijbryotcmic potential be included in the documentation. ;^. b. The Chemical Data Sheets (used and prepared by Hypalon! Area) on carbon tetrachloride and chloroform which serves as information basis for anployees do not contain information on the carcinogenic potential of these chemicals. This information should be added. S-12 Respirators JAia. Two face pieces of Scott Air ?aks had seme soil on them/ 'It is recotnneRded that dirty respirators be cleaned when found during the monthly inspection. A dirty face piece was also found in the Mordel Area. b. Breathing air stations for airline respirators are marked as such. It is recaimerded that the phrase 'blow out line before using mask' (Engineering standard S1H) be added. This appears to have plantwide application. HCHDEL AREA J-13 Air-Line Respirators The air-line respirators in the Nordel Control Room are all similar in appearance and function. The approval designation on one of the units was by the Bureau of Mines BM-19B-36. This style of respirator was no longer approved for use past March 31, 1980, unless modified by the manufacturer (no modification was apparent). A similar style of respirator was in use in the Methanol Control Room, but it carried a current approval number. Both styles of respirator use a quick disconnect unit which, appears to have been fabricated on site. An approved air supplied respirator must use components and parts, which have been submitted to the NIOSH/MSHA approval organization and approved as a unit, this includes vortex coolers. Interchange of parts and substitution of other parts will void the approval. A similar quick disconnect unit is present on the 5, 7.5 and 10-minute escape respirators. It is reeaanended that the air supplied respirators be inspected to assure that the entire unit is composed of approved canponents. In addition, the breathing air station in the Nordel Control Room should be properly Identified (see Engineering Standard SIH). DUP 0502450 DU 002036 R. Schmidt Field Notes 19c- April 7 OEEZfl (Conk'd.) i J-14 Ice Machines a. A coffee cup was being used to rerove ice from the ice maker. After use it was placed in the ice bin where the handle was in contact with the ice. It 'is recommended that the handle not be placed in contact with the ice, due to the potential contamination of the handle and subsequent ice contamination. <>. r b. 'Bie ice bin is beginning to rust creating difficulties in cleaning and the potential of rust particles in the ice. It is recommended that the unit be cleaned and painted to eliminate the rusty condition. ^ S-15 Respirators Two out of five Scott Ska Paks were filled below the full mark. It is recom mended that the air pressure of emergency respirators be kept in the full ran of the pressure gauge. The same deficiency was found at an escape pak in the Methanol Area. S-16 Refrigerator Refrigerators for cooling food do not contain thermometers. It is reccumended that all refrigerators on the plant be equipped with a therrometer (not mercury bulb) to assure that the temperature kept*at or below 45F to assure proper food storage. > ~f S-17 Instrument Shop Pans for catching mercury were installed under mancmeters. Various items were stored in the pans. It is reconxnended that nothing be stored in them to impair detection and cleanup of spills. __ /* METHANOL AREA J-18 Escape Respirators a. Air purifying respirators (half-mask Corafo H with aamonla cartridges) have been placed in various areas of the Methanol Area. The Methanol Area is adjacent to the Anmonia Area. Two of the respirators were dirty and the storage bag-was not sealed to provide clean, uncontamlnated storage. Spare cartridges were also stored in the box. It is reconxnended that the respirators be cleaned, stored properly and spare cartridges stored in a central location (in an emergent, an employee should not be concerned with, changing cartridges). b. Since anmonia is an eye irritant, the area should evaluate the need for full face respirators in those locations that eye irritation could prevent successful escape in an emergency situation. It is recamended that the ne^L f^r fullrface respirators be evaluated. DUP 0502451 DU 002037 R. Schmidt METHANOL (Cbnt'dj i S-18 Hearing Protection Field Notes l?cl April T a. Mo hearing protection is required in the Water Treatment Laboratory but is required beyaid both exits. It is recommended that signs be posted at both exits to remind employees that hearing protection is required when, leaving the laboratory. f b. An air powered portable grinder had no indication that hearing protection is required whan it is operated. It is recommended that the raise level be evaluated and the tool be marked if the noise exceeds the anpllcable unit. 3>{K f l | NDJ/RS/fb ! I DUP 0502452 DU 002038