Document DvaaKXQ4M8ODy2e5e438e1V4B

Monsanto .n*he * iocat.on, TO s. A, Roberts - Department of Medicine and Environmental Health 7 December 1, 1975 Paul E. Bureau-Springfield : G. W. Fletcher- " iminary Industrial Hygiene Survey H. M, Keating-St. Louis R. L..;Mller-St. Louis George Roush, Jr.,M.D-St. Louis G, L. Smith-St. Louis G. M, Ellsworth - Springfield The Springfield plant was surveyed by this writer during August 1975 in order to review the operations for possible industrial hygiene hazards. It can be concluded that impending OSHA standards will significantly affect programs at Springfield designed to control exposures to federally-regulated chemical substances and physical agents. The scope of the effect will depend greatly on the ability of Springfield personnel to produce recurrent documentation verifying employe exposure below certain 'lower environmental concentrations^ Exposure above these levels will require 'detailed1 adffllnlstracrve and Engineering control programs. It is recommended, therefore, that the Springfield organization's capability to institute and sustain a monitoring and reporting urogram for exposure~documentati6tnre--- aluated and upgraded as necessary.The examination of typical standards shCh"as thoSA'issued recently for the ketones would show the advantages t&ubxcan be obtained when exposures are so controlled and documented. If exposure control can be documented, the following will generally not ired by law: ^ 1. Comprehensive medical regimens 2. Restrictive work practices 3. Employe appraisal programs 4. Substantial personnel protective equipment requirements , 5. Accelerative environmental monitoring It should be stressed that: ^ 1. The environmental concentration defining the exposure will generally be set at one-half the current threshold limit value (TLV). 2. It is the goal of OSHA and NIOSH to establish monitoring, recordkeeping, medical, training and housekeeping require ments for all chemical substances and physical agents on the TLV list. Additionally, the following recommendation highlights were developed as a result of the survey. 4 RSV0029448 -2- Recommendatioos SAFLEX DEPARTMENT It is recommended that baseline sampling be conducted to determine the actual personnel exposure to the following compounds: Sodium Bicarbonate Dust All Dyes Methyl Ethyl Ketone Ethanol Toluene Dimethyl Formamide Resin Compounds Such as the Aldehydes and Vinyl Acetate It is recommended that audio dosimeters be utilized to define the actual noise exposure level, It is recommended the local exhaust system be checked for efficiency on a quarterly basis. FORMALIN DEPARTMENT It is recommended that air sampling be conducted to determine actual employe exposure to formaldehyde and methanol primarily at the fdrmaldehyde unloading station and at the methanol storage tank. RESINOX DEPARTMENT It is recommended work place sampling be conducted to determine employe exposures to those chemicals for which TLV's have been determined. Priority should be given to phenol, formaldehyde, maleic anhydride, hexa, and diatom.-:ceous earth. 60-62 DEPARTMENT It is recommended additional work place sampling be conducted to fully describe the polypress and kettle charge operators exposure to styrene. It is recommended the work place environmental contaminates be both qualified and quantified where respiratory protection is recommended, used or required. It is recommended engineering controls be implemented to reduce the high heat exposure in the Cl process area. It is recommended mechanical devices be designed and/or purchased in order to reduce the potential for back injuries at the Diene baleloading station. 86 DEPARTMENT It is recommended additional personnel monitoring be conducted to define operator exposure to styrene, pentane, respirable and total dust. RSV0029449 LUSTREX PROCESSING/PC-O/VYDYNE DEPARTMENTS It is recommended personnel exposure to the colorants be determined. Priority should be given to the lead chromates, zinc oxide, quinones, Ti02 and cadmium compounds. The ventilation system should be checked for efficiency by qualified personnel on a monthly basis for design static pressure, face velocity, fan motor current requirements and total volume exhausted. It is this writer's opinion that local exhaust systems such as hoods cannot be relied upon for consistent engineering control of contaminates when operators are allowed to use floor stand fans in the vicinity. It is, therefore, recommended that these fans be made non-portable if their use is continued and the exhaust system evaluated under the influence of the floor fans. It is recommended that personnel exposure to OSHA regulated sub stances be determined. Priority should be given to Betanox Special, HBr, HCN, AN, Styrene and total dust. RESIMENES .DEPARTMENT It is recommended that employe exposure to regulated chemicals be determined. If employe exposures are within allowable limits, the exposure determinations should be documented. If the exposures are excessive, the concentrations should be controlled to allowable limits. Priority should be given to the alcohols and dust. BARRIER RESIN DEPARTMENT There are no recommendations at this time. Recommendations will be forthcoming after receipt of sampling data. RESEARCH DEPARTMENT It is recommended that exposure potential be determined in the pilot . plant and research design stages. Research personnel should be included / when monitoring studies are conducted in plant departments. Analytical methods should be developed as part of the pilot plant/research design function. EAST CONTROL LAB No specific recommendations at this time although management should be aware of the fact that monitoring will have to be conducted on all OSHA regulated materials. UTILITIES DEPARTMENT It is recommended that the extent of chemical exposure be determined at the station where waste materials are transferred to the package boiler. It is recommended that the actual heat exposure around the boiler operations be determined by the NIOSH heat exposure criteria guidelines. RSV0029450 4The results of any and all occupational health sampling and monitoring should be sent to my attention as further recommendations and suggestions RSV0029451