Document MxnoeZZx6EQpZrojyd3EmkaV

State of Ohio The Industrial commission of Ohio DIVISION OF SAFETY AND HYGIENE 2329 WEST FIFTH AVENUE P.O. BOX 1749 COLUMBUS. OHIO 43219 c 0/7JU Muttifal Commission GREGORY J. STCABINS Chairman MARGUERITE M. NEAL Vlca Chairman JOHN E- SENN Hanbtf JAMES A RHOOES Governor JUN 09 1975 Division or Safety and Hygfeno WILLIAM C. MURPHY lnpariMandant Re: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation Case Avenue Newark, Ohio 43055 Risk I SI 3001 1. On February 13, 1975, a visit was made to the above company to investigate possible health hazards in the pipe insulation department and other locations. This visit had been requested 1 by the company. 2. Those contacted were: Mr. J. Nicholas Foster, Safety Director Mr. Gerald E. Devitt, Chief Industrial Hygienist, Toledo Mr. Robert J. Chenet, Production Manager Mr. Ronald L. Celnar, Personnel Assistant Mr. Charles Woolard, Shift Supervisor Mr. Russell Wince, Steward, Local 244, Glass Bottle Blowers of America (GBBA) Mr. Wilbur McKee, President, Local 244, GBBA Mr Joseph Antle, Chairman, Safety Committee, Local 244, GBBA 3. The company manufactures glass fiber products, including pipe and duct insulation, ceiling board, air filters, and insulation materials. 4. The measurements made are listed in Table 1. The methods used were- A. Type AA cellulose ester membrane filters in a holder with open face to sample the total dust, with MSA personal sampling pumps. The Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for nuisance particulates, based on total dust, is 10 milligrams for nuisance particulates, based on total dust, is 10 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/M3). The filter holder is clipped to the collar of an op erator to obtain samples from the breathing zone. B. A GCA Model 101-1 Respirable Dust Monitor. This measures a collected dust deposit by its attenuation of beta-rays produced by a carbon-14 source. It can be used both with and without a separating cyclone to indicate respirable or total dust in mg/M^. The TLV for the respirable portion of nuisance particulates is 5 mg/M^. 2- - 4. C. Cont. Dust counts from samples collected in midget liquid impingers. The TLV for this method is 30 million particles per cubic foot (mppcf). 5. Pipe insulation is trimmed to final dimensions in power saws. These are equipped with hoods connected to exhaust ducts. The company wishes to find whether there would be a signifi cant increase in dust concentration in the air when hoods at the machines were not connected to the exhaust system. In the first measurement series, these were disconnected at the end trim, batt slit, and wrap saws of the 12 and #3 presses. The hoods were connected during the second series. As indi cated by the tabulated data, there was little difference, and dust levels were well below the TLV's in both cases. 6. Measurements were also made with the GCA monitor at the marble batch operation, the F-3 mat line, and the main batch house. The only significant amounts of dust were in the main batch house, particularly at the east end. All were below the TLV of 10 mg/M^ for total dust as nuisance particulates containing no free crystalline silica. However, if materials used in the main batch house include, silica flour, which is of the crystal line form, a lower TLV would apply. Where there is free silica (Si02) in the dust, the TLV's are computed from the following formulae: Respirable dust: TLV = % siOg "~2~ mg/M^ Total dust: TLV *= . 3,Q------- % Si02 + 3 mg/M^ Free silica contents of dust samples taken in the batch house by this Division were 43% and 75% in 1957 and 66% in 1960. It is suggested that more detailed measurements in the main batch house would be useful for assurance that TLV's are not exceeded. 7. Threshold Limit Values (TLV's) refer to airborne concentrations of substances and represent conditions under which it i3 believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed day after day without adverse effects. Because of wide variations in individual susceptibility, exposure of an individual at or below current TLV's may not prevent discomfort, aggravation of pre-existing conditions, or an occupational illness. Many TLV's are based on acute exposures and do not necessarily represent prolonged exposures after many years of working. .8 This investigation was made in accordance with IC-5, Specific Safety Requirements of The Industrial Commission of Ohio Re lating to All Workshops and Factories. 9. There are no specific recommendations at this time. il n n n n n u u u. u j .>: ] 1 - RH/sc Respectfully submitted. Robert W. Hursh, P.E. Industrial Hygiene Engineer nnnn n Vuuu u M Measurements a t CVon s -C o m in g F ib e rg la s C o rp o ra tio n , Newark, C hio February- 13, 1975