Document EBvqggK8xVeGxqg4G6awGqML

22662 ' Federal Register / Vol. 51, No. 119 / Friday,. June 20, 1986 / Rules, and Regulations Table 21.--Worker Exposure Data for Automotive Brake and Clutch Remanufacturing percent of the exposures are greater Job ctaasWcftUoft/prope-- M*ne> hour TWA exposure me) Standani (kndatton Number ot obsorva6008 Source of data than 2.0 f/cc, and 28 percent are ' between 0.5 f/cc and 2.0 f/cc. One of the respondents ("QR") to the RTI. survey reported exposures ranging from less than 0.02 f/cc to 0.5't/cc for the wet 112 RTI survey; removal of pipe wrap, wallboard, and .08 .10 4 56 ' Do. gasket materials. The respondent staled 1 Oats on me number of samples were not provided. This figure is the number of workers represented by the data. Plants designated as "n." *W' "w" "a." "a." "GH." end -kL*' * Oats on 24 observations wore available for the years 1979 through 1994. One outlier was .omitted (1.6 t/cc) since all of the Other observations were 0.5 t/cc Of below. * Data on 58 observations were available. Two oulflors were omitted |t.l t/cc and 1.0 l/cc) since all ol the other observations ware 0.4 t/cc or below. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, Office of Regulatory Analysis, as derived from RT1 survey. that PEL of 0.2 f/cc can be attained during these small-scale or "minor rip- out" operations by using wet removal practices. OSHA has thus determined that the 0.2 f/cc PEL iB feasible for . certain mirior rip-outs in non-nuclear vessels, but that respirators will be Service Industries additional.exposures can be kept below needed during major rip-outs in non ' Automotive Brake and Clutch Repair. Workers who repair brakes and clutcheB. made with asbestos may be exposed because brakes and clutches deteriorate with wear, thereby resulting in friable asbestos. Asbestos dust present on these automotive parts ia easily disturbed and becomes airborne during the repair and removal of the linings. Exposures above 0.2 f/cc are particularly prevalent when compressed air is used to clean the linings. These exposures can be significantly reduced, however, by using solvent mists on the linings and then wiping them off, or by using vacuums to remove the dust OSHA determined that it is feasible for this industry to meet the 0.2 f/cc. This determination is based primarily on data obtained from the OSHA MIS compliance data base and from a November 22,1982, study by the National Institute for Occupational the PEL of 0.2 f/cc through the use of nuclear vessels. ventilation and wet methods, which have been used successfully In other . Construction industries. New Construction. Although concerns OSHA. however, anticipates problems . about the potential health hazards of in controlling exposures during major asbestos.exposure have curtailed its use rip-out operations. These operations substantially in recent years, a number involve the removal of asbestos from of asbestos materials are still used in large areas such as machinery rooms or new construction. These products engine rooms. The particular constraints include A/C pipe and sheet, viny!/ of the shipbuilding/repair work asbestos floor tile, and asphalt roofing environment limit the use of traditional felts and coatings. engineering controls. Safety rules restrict the number of hoses, pipes, and other equipment that can pass through certain bulkhead openings below deck. The confined spaces in ships impede the use of even portable ventilation equipment in certain areas. In addition, wetting agents are not permitted for ripout activity in nuclear reactor compartments because of the fear of contamination. A/C Pipe. In a study [Exhibit 84-279] performed, in 1977 for the A/C Pipe Producers Association, Equitable Environmental Health, Inc., (EEHj collected short-term personal samples to evaluate exposure during various' operations that might be performed in. the field on A/C pipe, using different types of equipment. For example, while unloading pipe at the site and laying pipe in the trench, the highest TWA Safety and Health (NIOSH) [Report No. For example, in testimony at the concentrations reported were 0.03 f/cc 32.4], The OSHA data contained 47 - formal hearings, Mr. James R. Thorton of and 0,02 f/cc. respectively. These data observations from the period 1979 the Newport News Shipbuilding suggest that there is little potential for through 1984, with a mean 8-hour TWA Drydock Co.'presented exposure data ' exposure in these operations and that no exposure of 0.03 f/cc and a standard collected during.major rip-outs of specific controls are necessary to keep deviation of 0.14 f/cc. In addition, the reactor compartments where the use of exposures below the 0.2 f/cc PEL. NIOSH study demonstrated that average water and saturating agents was exposures were below 0.1 f/cc.when . restricted! These data show that 41 using either the solvent mist or the high- percent of the exposures were greater efficiency particulate air (HEPA) than 2.0 f/cc, and.another 32 percent vacuum systems. ThuB, OSHA were between 0.5 f/cc and 2.0 f/cc determined that the 0.2 f/cc is feasible IHearing Transcript of June 25,1984, p. in this sector. . . 79). The Federal Employees Metal Shipbuilding and Repair. Current Trades Council [Exhibit 158-6] shipbuilding activities should not . submitted to the record other monitoring generate any worker exposure to results of major asbestos rip-outs in the asbestos because the use of asbestos reactor compartment of nuclear has been phased put of.this, type of submarines. These data showed similar construction. The greatest potential for exposure levels, with 40 percent of the asbestos exposure is during the removal, exposures greater than 2.0 f/cc and 10 or "rip-put," 4f old asbestos material. percent between 0.5 f/cc and 2.0 f/cc. Rip-out often requires sawing, tearing, Thus, OSHA concludes that the 0.2 f/cc cutting, and scraping to remove existing PEL is not feasible during asbestos rip- asbestos materials, and these activities outs of nuclear components without the frequently occur in confined spaces. use of respirators. Additional sources of asbestos exposure According to Mr. Thorton, the for a small number of shipyard workers exposure results for major asbestos rip- occur during operations, such as gasket- outs of non-nuclear components (where When installing A/C pipe, however, it may be necessary to cut, machine, or tap the pipe at the work site, which may expose workers to airborne asbestos fibers. Although the current trend is for more of these activities to be performed by the manufacturer rather than in the field [Exhibit 333,- Sections G.O.Q], . . cutting and machining are associated with potentially high exposures, [oe Jackson of the Association of A/C Pipe Producers (AACPP) noted, however, the feasibility of installing-A/C pipe with exposures below the PEL of 0.2 f/cc. In pre-hearing written testimony he stated as follows: Workers following AACPP's recommended work practices could almost always ensure that they would avoid peak exposures in excess of 0.75 f/cc over 15 minutes, while eight-hour time-weighted average exposures would remain at 0.1 f/cc or below. [Exhibit cutting. OSHA believes that these wetting agents can be used) show that 5 91-15, Section 0, p. 12. J GLEASON-000910