Document JrLey18MpaDRNrLQ3e93vbzyO

FILE NAME: International Harvester (INTH) DATE: 1977 Oct 12 DOC#: INTH016 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Report - Industrial Hygiene Survey (4 K October 12, 1977 CONFIDENTIAL Mr. G. G. Bose Manager Atlanta ReNEW Center Industrial Hygiene Survey August 15 and 16, 1977 On August 15 and 16, 1977, i conducted an Industrial Hygiene Survey at your facility which consisted of a complete noise survey and a walk through inspection to Identify areas where possible occupational health problems might arise. Air sam ples were taken in seven different areas to determine employe exposure to asbestos fibers, two additional samples were taken to measure the concentration of Stoddard solvent in the fuel injector pump test room. Eleven items in this survey require follow-up by your personnel. Enclosed are copies of the Industrial Hygiene Survey Follow-up form, which should be submitted to this department at 30-day Intervals from the date of this report. You can refer to the follow-up Items as they are numbered in this report. The allowable exposure to noise Is based on noise intensity and exposure time. Noise is measured in decibels on the A scale (dBA). Some of the exposure limits are as follows: Noise Intensity dB(A) Maximum Allowable Hrs. Per Day Noise intensity dB(A) Maximum .Allowabli Hrs. Per ] 90 8.0 92 0.0 95 4.0 97 3.0 100 2.0 102 105 110 115 Greater Than 115 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.25 0.0 The specific noise levels found in the shop are shown on the Noise Survey data sheets at the back of this report. Items 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 on the data sheets are all operations which generate noise levels that are not a problem because they do not exceed 90 dB(A). Item 11 exceeds 90 dB(A), but the em ploye exposure time to this operation is not long enough to create a health problem. A Mr. , 6. Bose Page 2 October 12, 1977 The noise level produced at the clutch -d.lsc repair bench (items 1 and 2) is of sufficient intensity and duration to exceed the health standard concerning noise The employe working on the clutch disc repair bench must wear hearing protection while per forming this operation. A sign should be. posted at the work bench indicating that hearing protection Is required. An audio metrie test should be performed on the employe involved in this operation as soon as it can be arranged. Audiometrie testing must be continued on an annual basis to insure that hearing pro tection is effective In reducing noise exposure. OLLCW-P REQUIRED - (1) The noise level measured in the fuel injector pump test room (items 13 and 14) also exceeds the permissible limit for noise. if the fuel injector pump tester and the Injector calibrator could be isolated in areas containing sound absorbing material, it might be possible to reduce the noise levels below the per missible limits. Engineering controls should be initiated in this area if they are technically feasible. FOLLOW-UP REQUIRED - (2) Until the noise level in the fuel injector pump test room is ) reduced through engineering controls, employes working in this room must wear hearing protection when injector pumps are being tested and when injectors are being calibrated. Audiometric tests should be performed on all involved employes as soon as this can be arranged. If it is determined that engineering con trols are not technically feasible, audiometric testing must be continued oh an annual basis. FOLLOW-UP REQUIRED - (3) In the carburetor cleaning room tank #4781 was not equipped with a muffler on the pneumatic agitation system (item 4), The noise level at adjacent tanks equipped with mufflers was 85 dB(A), while the noise level at tank #4781 was 94 dB(A). A muffler should be installed oin tank #4781 to reduce the noise produced by the pneu matic agitation system. FOLLOW-UP REQUIRED - (4) Seven specific operations were sampled for asbestos fiber. The areas which were sampled and the results of the sampling are shown on the Industrial Hygiene Collection and Analysis data sheet at the back of this report. The results are the average of two sepa rate samples taken in each pf the seven areas. Samples 1, 2, 3 and 7 are all operations which do not exceed the Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for asbestos. Unless production is changed in those areas, no additional engineering controls are required. Mr. C. G. Rose Page 3 October , 12 1977 Samples 4 ,5 and 6 exceed the TLV for asbestos by 139% , 13% and 28% respectively. Asbestos fibers when inhaled can be a serious health hazard, and the effects of such exposure-may not become apparent for many years* Asbestosis, a disease of the lungs which reduces breathing: capacity, and an increased incidence of lung cancer are two physiological responses which can result from excessive asbestos exposure. Based on the con centrations measured in these three areas and the toxicity of asbestos, local exhaust ventilation should be installed to reduce the concentration of airborne asbestos fibers. FOLLOW-UP REQUIRED - (5) Respiratory protection is mandatory for all employes who install new clutch linings and test new clutch discs, Respirators will remain mandatory for these employes until air sampling verifies the reduction of airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers due to local ventilation and vacuuming procedures. The respirators used at your operation must be approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Respirators approved by NIOSH are assigned a number prefixed by the letters t c , in dicating that they.are tested and certified to protect against the air contaminants listed. In addition, respiratory protection must be cleaned and maintained in proper working order. For your operation it would be more advantageous to use disposable respira tors which do not require periodic cleaning and inspection. For protection against asbestos dust, the Wilson Model 1400 or the 3M Model 9900 are NIOSH approved disposable respirators well suited to your operation, FOLLOW-UP REQUIRED - (6) Our IH Corporate Respiratory Protective Equipment Control Program is a good reference for the proper use of respiratory equipment. The order number is IB-295, and you can obtain a copy by placing an order on Form GF-90 (copy enclosed) with IH Printing and Dis tribution Services in Westmont, Illinois. Industrial hygiene studies at the Chicago ReNEW Center have demon strated that new clutch discs must be vacuumed prior to riveting to insure that the TLV for asbestos is not exceeded. All new clutch discs used at your operation should be vacuumed prior to handling. In addition, whenever cleanup of asbestos is necessary a vacuum cleaner should be used rather than sweeping the material. A commercial type vacuum cleaner which can be lined with a plastic bag Is generally adequate for this -type of cleanup. When disposal of the plastic bag is necessary, it should be sealed and labeled as containing asbestos. FOLLOW-UP REQUIRED - (7) . Mr. C. 6. Rose Page 4 October 12, 1977 All employes who perform tbe seven operations which were sampled must be given a medical examination. Any other employes who are exposed to asbestos fiber must also be given a medical examina tion. This examination should consist of a chest roentgenogram, a history to elicit symptomatology of respiratory disease, and pulmonary function tests to include forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume at one second* Employes must be re examined on an annual basis. This examination also must be given to any employe who once worked with asbestos and is termi nating employment with IH. FOLLOW-UP REQUIRED - (8) The OSHA standard on asbestos requires, that certain procedures be followed when disposing of asbestos material. Tour method for disposing of used clutch discs must be modified to comply with the standard. Usually asbestos is contained in a plastic bag before discarding. The weight and configuration of the clutch discs, however, mate the use of a plastic bag impractical. To contain the used clutch discs I recommend the use of a card board drum. When the drum is filled with old clutch discs, it can be sealed, labeled as containing asbestos, and discarded. This method of disposal will prevent any leakage to the environ ment . FOLLOW-UP REQUIRED - (9) Acids and caustics are used frequently in the carburetor cleaning room. These chemical agents can cause Serious damage to human tissue upon contact. The eye wash facility located in this area is designed to prevent damage to the eyes in the event of an acci dental spill. To help prevent corrosive material from entering the eyes, either chemical splash goggles or a face shield should be worn by employes when they are loading or unloading the clean ing tanks. This personal protective equipment will greatly mini mize the possibility of an accidental spill, contacting eye tissue. FOLLOW-UP REQUIRED - (10) The battery charging area located near the storage bins was not equipped with an emergency eye wash and safety shower facility. Since batteries contain corrosive material, the possibility of accidental exposure to the skin or eyes must be considered. An emergency eye wash facility and shower should be Installed in this immediate area. FOLLOW-UP REQUIRED - (11) Air samples were taken in the fuel injector pump test room to determine the concentration of airborne Stoddard solvent. The results of the sampling indicate very low concentrations of sol vent are present. The exhaust hood in the test room is adequate to remove Stoddard solvent vapors; therefore, no further action is required. Mr. . G. Rose Page 5 October 12, 1977 If you have any questions regarding this survey, or if I can be of assistance in completing th follow-up procedure,- please do not hesitate to call. G. J Bacci Industrial Hygiene Consultant da Attachments Enclosures cc: Mr. M, A. Steinberg - 20 Mr. R. F. Stone - ReNEW System Central Office Mr. T. A. Beer - ReNEW System Central Office Mr. R. J. Black