Document By2J3yJeG10d7qN4r8Km8a4MJ

June 1969 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS Of AtciSTUS ASBESTOS DUST Fipe Coverers and Insulators handling, sawing, cutting, or rippin out asbestos or asbestos-containing materials often produce considerab amounts of very fine airborne dusts in the work area. The larger part fall rapidly, but the tiny unseen fibers may remain suspended in air f many hours. These tiny asbestos fibers hate an average diameter of 0.: to 100 microns (a micron is 39 millionths of an inch). Unfortunately, particles of this slxe range are small enough to enter the lungs easil; Some of the airborne dusts and aabsstos fibers are trapped in the lung! and provoke an irritating actioaybut most of the fibers az*e eliminatec by the lymphatic system and lungs.'* An inflammatory process oeeurs aroi the trapped fibers eausing a type of lung damage called pulmonary fibre and in the case of asbestos--asbestosls. . -. . . > ' '* * ' EXPOSURE PATTERN The amount of pulmonary fibrosis provoked in the lungs bf asbestos fibers is proportional to the amount of dust breathed daily and the num of years of exposure.Continued exposure at high concentration hastens nhe amount of lung damage which may be produced. Exposure to small amounts of asbestos fibers does not imply that asbestosis will develop. ' The disease develops very slowly,* and at a rate proportional-to the exposure, so that careful PC&I personnel can limit their exposures and work a lifetime without adverse effect to'the:, health. During low exposure, some unnoticeable lung damage may occur which will not significantly change the health and vigor of the worker. The workmen actually are the only ones who can effectively limit their exposures by using better tools and work methods, correct venti lation, and aafe work practices, and the provided respirators. This is a lifetime goal for each insulator--to minimize hia exposure and the exposure of others to airborne asbestos fibers. DUST RESPIRATORS The best, dust respirators available are selected specifically for riil workers to give giod face fit, lowest breathing resistance, good visibility. Vhile the respirators are uncomfortable to .5 j 000S27 C) ; -, v ;* ;- . : ' - " % . are the beet to be found today. Soae respirators on the Market claimed * effect ire fail the protective tests when put to use. The respirators prorided will affectively filter about 90> of the particles that will 1 lodge in the lungs and cause irritation (no respirator is 100% effect!v - The respirator suet be worn religiously, since the invisible parti \ resain in the workers' breathing tone for hours and sust be prevented ' r from reaching the lungs, bearing the respirator only when the supervis \ is around fools -only the worker, and putting on the respirator only whe: v dusty conditions are created only prevents peak exposures. i; "Respirators sust be worn while working with asbestos or asbestos v products aboard ship or In certain :ahop areas to adequately protect i: workers," is a mandatory requirement established by Shop 956 and the Medical Department, * CHANGE OF WORK PRAC TICES * .. Workers tan do such to reduce' .the asbestos dust and fiber products * by using work practices that produce leas dust. If the asbestos fibers cannot become airborne, -then Inhalation of particles will not occur. H Soae of the methods to reduoe asbestos dust and fiber production ire: * - *4 1/. Enclose dusty cutting operations and ventilate the process whe: ever possible. . 2. Threw the brooms away and use vacuun cleaners liberally. Broor create too such airborne dust, thus -increasing the exposure. 3* . Vet any and all asbestos materials whenevar possible, because wetting reduces the amount ef dust produced by J0-6O/G. . 4. Substitute fiberglass for amoeite blanket whenever possible. Fiberglass is not hasardoos to the lungs, but aaoaite is 955* asbestos! . 5. Place scraps in polyethylene bags and seal then. Don't use burlap bags because the fine particles filter through the cloth. 6. Use drop cloths under your work whenever possible to catch scraps. Falling and accumulated acrap account for much of the airborne fibers in the breathing sons of ..workers, \, f 7. Position cutting tables out of the line of traffic. 8. Do not throw or break materials in email compartments. Carry the materials in plastic bags or boxes, and saw the materials under well-ventilated conditions to minimise exposures. V. : 2 -00GS2 9. Use good local exhaust ventilation for cutting, ripout, ar.d saving, and insure that the exhausted air is piped outside the ship. ^10. Do not rip cloth since ripping produces high concentrations of asbestos fibers directly in the breathing sons. 11. Use Ventilated containment tents of plastic, when available, tc limit the spread of asbestos dust. \ ; ENGINEERING CONTROL METHODS Engineering eontrol methods are expensive and often require a trial period to prove their worth. Some of the control methods that are re ceiving continual evaluation .are:. 1. Ventilation controls and methods to minimise accumulation of 'asbestos dust and fibers in \he-workers1 anvironcent. ; 2. Substitution of auitable materials for asbestos, especially ' those products containing n high [percentage of asbestos fibers. * 3* Prefabrication cutting-and modular assembly in the shop and at the pier. . t . ' <- \ 4. Kate rials contrel and packaging for delivery to the ships. .5* Portable ventilation techniques, tools, and cutting tables. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING * / ^ v- ' The Industrial Hygiene Diriaien! Medical Department, periodically monitors the working environment of PC4I workers to evaluate exposures and recommend control methods. b~*i X:<- 000S2S