Document 5ybbVB8v6D16XR382Xry5OnN

MEMORANDUM On Hazards In ? B1 Area ( April 6, 1935 X* RawMaterials . The unloading and handling of the pigs of lead and hara of addisua have to date resulted In no occupational disease the principal hazard apparently being that of injury from accident in handling. The same has been true of the molten sodltua and lead systems. In the oase of the last it la to be borne in mind that at the temperature at which the lead is stored and delivered fumes and oxide dust are a potential source of danger If the system la open at any tine. Tho Ethyl Chloride Manufacturing Plant has given rise to no difficulty although there has been varying alight exposure to HC1* EtOH* 3nCl2 and EtCl. The danger of fire is a constant one chemical injury from HOI as a result of interruption of delivery line or repair in toner is an occasional possibility. XX. Preparation of Alloy (a) Pot process* Men charging kettles are working in tho same leveT and close to other kettles which may he hot. In any case all kettles should be cool, before opening and those in operation be hooded as they now ore. The loading and transfer of the pots to the cooling chamber may introduce oxide dust into the air. Men working in this levelfshould wear at least a filter mask while any operation including the ensuing* is carried out. Acone respirator and goggles should be worn by tho men engaged in dumping and grinding the alloy. The loading of the hoppers with ground alloy is the greatest potential hazard up to this point in the operation* the exposure being to dust. The exhaust system* loading technique and precautions now observed should be continued. This entire 2 operation has been well controlled and safeguarded* (b) The continuous process gives rise to a new hazard viz#, diphenyl but there has been no evtdenoe of illness from exposure to it up to now. The grinding and cooling aystea for the alloy as well as the storage and delivery systems for molten alloy must bo kept free from leakage. While this system has not been in complete operation for a sufficiently long period of time to evaluate the dangers as they exist, satisfactory functioning of the unit should effect a further reduction in exposure to men in the alloy operation. . IIS. Autoclave Charging Hen engaged, on the fifth floor have two constant sources of minimal exposure. The first Is from alloy which remains in improperly cleaned hopper tops, the second from droppa of alloy from the slide valve parts of the hopper following disconnection from the autoclave inlet. Both of the above are conditions which may or may not hcorrected by improve* equipment, certainly they can be by constant vigilance In housekeeping. Athird, discontinuance n exposure to these men is from dust arising in the recovery building as a result of furnace puffs, and possibly, in part at least, from expulsion of larger quantities of dust than usual from the exhaust stacks which are not provided with a precipitation in the case of Gand DBulldings. In general, this operation can be considered the safest of those that follow. Autoclave Operation Under normal operating conditions the exposure of autoclave operation Is small and Is limited principally to that associated with the taking of pressure readings and in sampling due to fluid adhering to the rod of the sampling apparatus and to the rubber gaskets. KE' 0010139 V. Dabillafelon The men working on the bill floor have had bhe greatest continuous exposure of any group# feho chief source being leaks at the packing around bhe agitator shafts and at the manhole covers As In other places there are in addition occasional sources of exposure from tear-downs# these being fairly frequent# however# on this floor# in changing condensers and inserting new packings Where new construction might permit sufficient change in design# thought should be given to the enclosure of at least such portions of the stills as give rise to these difficulties* Afurther improvement can be made in the ventilating arrangement on this floor# whereby the incoming air is delivered along the center ceiling and collected along the floors at the walls# assuring a oonsfeant sweep of air across the 8tills and floor away from bhe main corridor VX Separation and Handling - This# as an operation is on of minimal exposure# such danger to bhe tsen as is encouhtered being mainly due to fumes from filter bag changing and tear-down work on lines* Afrequent source has been the steam jets into the stills# stoppage of which necessitates their removal and cleaning or replacement* The cleaning of spills is of especial im portance to men on the first floor# any fluid allowed to remain In the drainage ditches may ho volatilized by exhaust steam discharged into, thorn* VI** Blending Present methods of control of hazards are adequate for ordinary pperating conditions* While the present sumps under the drum washing and filling equipment are adequate# they can be Improved upon by giving them a deoided slope with a largo sewer outlet# so that cleaning can bo easily affected by moans of a stream of water The history of the present blending tanks Insofar as leaks are concerned should be considered k when contemplating the construction of new tanka* Afurther improvement in the barrel filling equipment oan be brought about by adequate lateral ventilation to include the adjacent valves and sight glass. VIII. Storage and Loading Unit ventilation about each of the Lewis pumps should be provided to prevent escape of vapor while the pump is operating. Filter bags are best housed in a separate* ventilated room apart from the space whore the weighing is done and the loading controlled. IX. Recovery l-'fcCl* Exposure is slight. Uon-condensible gases should be vented a safe distance from the air intakes or into the main vent stack. (b) Pb. Ample provision for draining and handling of sludge should be made to eliminate the furnace puffs. These are a hazard not only to the operators in the furnace building bub bo the entire area as well. Dust from this source may be in the areaways or be taken in through tho air inlets Into the buildings* If it is necessary to add waste alloy* floor sweeping from the alloy building etc.* directly to tho furnace, special precaution should be taken. x* . The slag pit or dump is best placed at some distance from the buildings* not between them where spilled material can be tracked t>r carried Into the bu11ding by normal traffic. In general liquid wastes may form the greatest problem. As the sludge pit water contains on tho average 0*5? of lead by volume and each unit contributes about 1300 gals* per 8 hour cycle* some means of disposal other than directly into fresh water streams is necessary. HE 0010121 . 5 XI Maintenance and Repairs Are best carried out by a special crew other than operators of equipment# repair work involves a hazard not only to those carrying it out but also to operators within the building* too great care cannot toe exercised in the selection end training of this group of nen The number should be limited to the fewest that can properly carry out the work " XXX* Medical Sup' e rv is eon '. Should be provided and should Include In Its program perlodio examination of all men employed in the area after the plant la In operation# Laboratory facilities as an adjunct to the medical work and to carry out such routine analyses on the men as are indicated* should be provided# Air analyses as a control measure would be best carried out by this laboratory* working with the Medical Department# Dillard F. Machle, M#D# HE 001012O