Document Lp6VrGLX8rogbn014gZoD4Ewz

J 'f ONTARIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH BRANCH f Memorandum to: Dr. V. L. Tidey Chief, Occupational Health Service FIELD VISIT REPORT PART I OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE JUL 30 1970 LG 2 frF-^ c_ Date: "Vuly 29th, 1970 From: G.S. Rajhans, P. Eng. Plant: Garlock | ofirCana.da_ Limited Address: Jutland Road Toronto, Ontario TrUKT ifCT-nr rigryfli Contacts: Mr. Rostas, Plant Engineer Mr. Pilmer, President Reque, ted by: Mr. P. Rostos, Plant Engineer Accompanied by: Mr. A. Cotgreave, I.S.B. Date of Visit: July 16th, 1970 Copies to: Mr. J. McNair (3) Dr. J. E. Cowle (2) Mr. H. Wall Abstract: This visit was made at the request of the above mentioned company to assess a new exhaust system at one of the braiding machines. Although the enclosure of the new exhaust system was considered to be proper, the exhaust rate was not found to be adequate. Recommendations were made during the visit to improve the conditions. The above mentioned company has been previously visited by the writer on September 16th, 1969. In the report dated September 30, 1969 one of the comments was that the braiding machines hooded with canopies should be provided with side curtains to ensure better dust control. Instead of providing the side curtains, the company has installed a booth type enclosure at one of the braiding machines. This enclosure has a face of about 42" x 20" and is exhausted at the rate of 260 cfm. This exhaust rate provides only 50 fpm face velocity which was not considered to be adequate for the control of airborne fibres. In my opinion, the minimum face velocity should not be less than 100 fpm. Several recommendations were made during the visit to improve the exhaust rates. One of the recommendations was to make the enclosure as much leak free as possible. Incidentally, the blue asbestos was being used at the braiding machine during the visit. One machine using chrysotile asbestos was not provided with any kind of local exhaust. When this was pointed out to Mr. Rostas, he mentioned that he thought only blue asbestos is toxic and no hedih hazard is associated with chrysotile asbestos. An attempt was made to acquaint Mr. Rostas and Mr. Pilmer with the latest information on asbestos - dust and its health hazards. During the discussion, Mr. Rostas mentioned j^\J ^ that a completely new dust collecting system is going to be installed in the asbestos sheet room and specially at the hammer mill. COMMENTS 1. In my opinion, the new enclosure at one of the braiding machine is quite appropriate and similar enclosures should be provided at other braiding machines. However, the exhaust rates should be so improved as to provide not less than 100 fpm face velocity at the enclosures. 2. The last air sampling in this plant was done on August 13th, 1969. At that time, the TLV (threshold limit value) of asbestos fibres was 12 fibres per mililitre. Since then, the TLV is reduced to 5 fibres/ml. and accordingly, two counts of the last sampling results become above the TLV. It is suggested that furhter air sampling should be done in the plant when the company has installed the new exhaust system at the hammer mill ardmodified the enclosures at all the braiding machines. . report still apply. 3- The directions mentioned in my last RECOMMENDATION:- number two). Air sampling should be done (see the comment GSR: rs G.S. Rajhans, P. Eng. Occupational Health Service