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( I . H . ) NEWSLETTERS 1954-1965 412259 0220 REMJ TO.' AICOAHECORDSSTORAGECENTER (77) 1NTKRNAT, CORRESPONDENCE May 4, 1964 From THOMAS B. BONNEY PITTSBURGH OFFICE To INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN RE: INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE NEWSLETTER SAWING MARINITE _______________________ In recent months several incidents have occurred that proidipted us to take a closer look at the potential problems associated with the Bawing of Marinite. In the past, because of erroneous information given us about the composition of this material, we may have advised you poorly about the proper handling of it. In order to correct this, especially in view of the widespread use of Marinite, we felt that this Newsletter would be timely and appropriate. Marinite is an insulating refractory board manufactured by. Johns-Mansville. It consists of a mixture of asbestos fibers and diatomaceous earth bonded with an epoxy resin. In Alcoa it is widely used for headers in DC Casting Units and for trough linings. In order to be used for these applications, it is necessary that the Marinite first be sawed into appropriate sizes and shapes. Sawing generates a considerable amount of dust which is the main, if not the sole, cause of difficulty in handling this material. Were it not for the presence of the epoxy binder, proper control would consist simply of keeping the sawyers' time-weighted exposures below 5 mppcf, the threshold limit value for asbestos. However, the epoxy binder complicates the picture. Although the surface of a cured epoxy resin system is almost completely inert, this is not true of the interior structure which contains an appreciable amount of unreacted resin and hardener. As a result, dusts from machining and sawing epoxy resin systems are likely to be quite irritating. Dermatitis from 412259 0221 To. Industrial Hveiene Committee pATr Chairmen May 4, 1964sheet no._______________ ^ these dusts is quite common. They may also cause asthmatic-like reactions in certain sensitive individuals. (We have already experienced this in our Company.) Because active components of epoxy resin systems are present in therm___ duBts from Marinite cannot be treated as mineral dusts. Additional precautions are necessary, and the saw should be equipped with exhaust ventilation. (This is in accord with the recommendations of Johns-Mansville.) Probably most of the fabricating plants will require this type of set up. Respiratory protection is no substitute for exhaust ventilation, except at locations where cutting Marinite is an unusual, infrequent, and brief occurrence. Sawyers should wear long sleeved shirts to protect their arms from the irritant dust. Personal cleanliness is also important and the men should be, instructed to wash up following their exposure to Marinite dust. If any of the recipients have any specific questions or comments con cerning Marinite, we will be pleased to hear from them. The latest of the Hygienic Guides are enclosed: Acrolein, Aluminum, Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether, Manganese, Petroleum Naphtha, Pyridine, Tetraethyl Lead, Allyl Alcohol, Allyl Chloride, Cyclohexane, Ethyl Chloride, and Triorthocresylphosphate. Thomas B. Bonney TBB/mje Enclosures cc/encl: Company physicians G. H. Farrah, J. M. Plunkett, AGL F. H. Illig. Pgh. <^M. O. Colwell, L. V. Cralley, file 412259 0222 K. W. Perry Bauxite Al. W. L. Mowe Vte/fe*} -- W.V.M .Williams Mobile Alcoa Sm. N. A. Hayes Badin W. S. Barr Massena O. L. Royer C. 0. Turner Pt. Comf. Sm. Pt. Comf. Ref. H. A. Semken Rockdale E. B. Porter Vancouver R. L. Parsons Warrick G. D. Bruno Wenatchee A. J. Kukla Chicago D. J. Levin Cleveland :W. M. Harris Cressona -W. C. Harvey Davenport W. C~.--3expp------------ - De-trait .. A. M. Miller Edgewater J. W. Foulke Edison L. S. Chambers Lafayette Arthur Hartwell Lancaster C. L. Bissonette N.K. R. E. Hospes Richmond T. I. McClintock Vernon 5/4/64 412259 0223 Division Raw Materials Refining Smelting Fabricating Foundry ARL Alcoa Bldg Plant Doctors Works Doctor Bauxite Rosiclare Bauxite Mobile Pt. Comfort James Bethel John R. Duffey ----------------- Howard Walker, Jr. John Griffin Alcoa Badin '' W. N. Dawson TCT73LapsTS5^ Massena Pt. Comfort Rockdale Vancouver Warrick Wenatchee Maurice J. Elder J.T..Richards F.- J. O'Hara Thbmas C. Burger L.. C. Miller Alcoa Chillicothe Cressona Davenport Charles N. Hoyt Ralph Lyons A. W. Shafer Edgewater Joseph Ferrante Lancaster Carl C.- Kessler Massena New Kensington_______ Colxn Kamperman Richmond Ralph iW.t . ^D-r--e--y--e---r Vancouver Horn t T. fA t- ( Chicago Ralph P. White Cleveland W, A. Engel Detroit A. J-, Szmigiel Edison Malcolm Dunham Vernon Victor H. Barbour E. St. Louis New Kensington D. A. Fusia, Jr. Pittsburgh______ c3 fj " * = duplication -1- 412259 0224 VOL. 8. NO. 3 MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Albert E. Heustis, M.D., Commissioner SPRING, 1963 Construction Health Hazards Technological advancements along with new chemical products have created a new set of health hazard control problems in the construction industry. And these problems seem to be more severe in the construction field which does not have either the site or personnel permanency of the manufacturing plant. Instead, the construction industry is characterized by mobility; pick-up work crews; foremen who have little or no knowledge of the inherent hazards in some of the materials being handled by their men; difficult working con ditions where weather is a significant problem; and a prevailing attitude that the generally rugged workers in the construction industry are not subject to health hazards. We have selected a group of topics for consideration which we consider timely, varied, and potential sources of health problems for construction workers. All of them have been dealt with at one time or another by personnel of the Division of Occupational Health. Every year, either by request or through its own initiative, the Division checks out and advises on many con struction jobs. This is an extremely important function since more than 100,000 Michigan people work in construc tion and these workers daily face hazards which can be detrimental to their health. These hazards can be injurious to health either through acute or long term exposure. The immediate asthma tic effects of a single toluene diiscyanate exposure or the pulmonary dif ficulties experienced by an asbestos insulation worker after 15 years on the job can both be serious health problems. Also, when considered in the light of lost time by workers which Figure 1. View of three workers on an asbestos spraying job. The worker at the floor level feeds the material. The worker at the upper left tamps the surface. Note that all three are exposed to excessive quantities of asbestos dust and that their respirators ora not being worn. can mean severe economic loss to their families as well as to the em ployer, the problems become more important and more complicated. In this publication, we will deal with four rather divergent types of construction techniques which present varying degrees of hazards to work ers. They include: (1) application of epoxy-terrazzo floors and epoxy coat ings; (2) spraying of asbestos; (3) application of red lead paint; and (4) pouring in place or application of polyurethane foam. 412259 0225 Epoxy-Terrazzo Floors & Epoxy Coatings Principal health problems associated with the application of epoxy resin base materials such as adhesives, paints, special surfacing mortars, and epoxy-terrazzo floors are dermatitis from skin contact with the amines in the mix, excessive exposure to toxic solvents used in some of the resin systems, and, in general, nose, eye, and throat irritation caused by the amine catalyst and the solvents. Com pletely cured epoxy resins are not believed to present such hazards. Epoxy resin materials can be so formulated (by literally tailoring the molecules) that a wide range of de sired properties can be obtained. Some adhesives can be made to present varying curing properties and unusual tensile strength. Surfacing compounds can be made impervious to almost all types of solvents. Paints can be made which are adaptable to conventional production spraying and baking oper ations in industry but which present unusual surface protection properties. And epoxy-terrazzo floors can be ap plied which are essentially non-shrink ing, are impervious to most solvents, present a wide range of colors, are considerably lighter than comparable concrete type terrazzo floors, and have excellent strength characteristics. While the relatively high cost of many epoxy products has limited their general application in the building trades, their exceptional properties have resulted in a ra pidly increased use in the building and construction industry for spe cialty applications. These include long-wearing paints with special finish effects on concrete block wall surfaces, epoxy terrazzo floors which have exceptional wear re sistant properties, and special sur face coating (paving application) on highways. The new International Bridge in Sault Ste. Marie has a thin layer of an epoxy water-re sistant coating material between a concrete base and the top asphalt roadway surface. Purpose is to keep water from coming into contact with the concrete. Base material in manufacturing epoxy resin is ethylene glycol which is reacted with various types of amines to form a liquid pre-polymer. A wide variety of particulate type fillers such as synthetic fibers, sand, metal powder, carbon black, and wood dust are used to effect certain properties and ap pearance and polymerization of the pre-polymer is brought about with the addition of diethylenediamine or other complex polyamincs (catalysts). Rate of polymerization or curing can be varied by chemical formulation and the application of heat may or may not be required. During poly merization, various toxic amines are emitted and these can cause severe dermatitis or eye damage on contact or lung irritation if inhaled. Suscepti ble individuals can develop sensitivity to several of the amines used. In the epoxy-terrazzo floor ap plication, marble chips are imbed ded to form a unique terrazzo surface. The substance has the ap pearance of conventional cement terrazzo but is applied to a thick- 2 412259 0226 ness of only 3/16 of an inch. This epoxy-terrazzo can be applied directly over dry concrete or wood, both of which have to be properly prepared to receive the surfacing material. Some of the adhesive or primer coats contain solvents such as xylene and toluene indicating the need for proper control. A mixture of marble chips and epoxy resin is then applied to the floor and troweled to a level of approximately 3/16 of an inch. This is followed by application of a heavy layer of marble chips which is spread uniformly over the entire floor and set in place with a roller. After several days of curing, the floor is then wet-ground with water in a conventional manner. It has been reported to this Division that der matitis is a common ailment among epoxy-terrazzo floor applicators ap parently caused by the amine catalyst. But this has not been evident in the two studies conducted to date. Ar rangements were made with a local manufacturer of flooring material to conduct occupational health studies at two jobs which were scheduled since we were interested in both the amine concentrations which developed during application of the flooring ma terial and the xylene concentrations which built up as a result of release from the primer coat and the trowel ing operations. Use of xylene is nec essary to ease troweling and surface rolling and to minimize adherence of the tools to the uncured resin mixture. In one recent study of the appli cation of a conductive surface type terrazzo floor in a surgery suite, no significant concentrations of amines were found in the immediate work area (ranged from 0.1 to 0.2 parts per million), perhaps because of the marginal type ventilation provided in the room. It did not appear that any of the workers had dermatitis and no reports of skin difficulties were made to us. A combustible gas indicator was used to determine the concentration of xylene vapors in the breathing zone of the workers during various stages of troweling and rolling. It indicated vapor concentrations which reached a peak of approximately 600 parts per million when the solvent was first dis tributed with a long bristle brush (swishing in the air). In less than a minute, the solvent concentration dropped to about 400 parts per mil lion and about eight minutes later the xylene concentration was reduced to about 40 parts per million where it remained until the next xylene ap plication. It appears that xylene or whatever solvent is used for easing the trowel ing and rolling job constitutes the greatest health hazard in application of epoxy-terrazzo flooring but that the solvent exposure can be reduced to acceptable values with the use of appropriate ventilation. Where the ventilation measures taken are not satisfactory, the use of approved respiratory protective equipment is indicated. It is also reasonable from the point of view of safety that the cleaning of all equipment with a solvent should be done out-of-doors where pos sible. Tools and containers for mixing the epoxy resin floor compounds are usually cleaned with toluene, xylene, acetone, or mixtures of solvents com monly known as lacquer thinners. The flammability or explosibility problem does not appear to be severe but since flammable materials are be ing handled, necessary measures to prevent a solvent buildup to explosive levels or to minimize the possibility of ignition of either liquid or an airvapor mixture should be taken. The need for ventilation during application of the flooring material hits already been noted. There is also a need for good personal hy giene habits among workers to min imize effect of skin contact. Warm water and mild soap should be available so washups may be done as frequently as needed and workers should receive instruction on proper work procedures as well as on the hazards of the materials they are hand ling. Solvents such as xylene and tolu ene should not be used for cleaning the skin but rather special skin cleaners should be made available for this pur pose. Since there is a skin exposure problem, appropriate protective cloth ing including gloves should be worn. Suggested Work Control Procedures e AD workers on the job should be properly instructed on the toxic nature of materials they are to handle; the proper work procedures to minimize any hazard due to sldn contact or inhalation; and obviously, proper application tech niques to minimize exposure time. e Appropriate ventilation should be provided wherever the work is being done to minimize the con centrations of amine . or solvent which might develop. The rate of air flow should be sufficient to keep contaminants at levels generally below the maximum threshold level. Protective work clothing should be worn on the job so that as much of the body surface as possible is protected. The work clothing, particularly the gloves should be impervious to the ma terials being handled. Personal hygiene is very im portant. Workers should be en couraged to wash up with soap and water frequently (or use waterless cleaners); should minimize die use of solvents for skin cleaning (use specially prepared cleaners); and should do all their work in a way as to minimize exposure to any of the materials handled. This calls for neatness on the job. Although the flammability problem is not severe, it is never theless present, since flammable materials particularly solvents are used and the air vapor concentra tions reached can be relatively high. Accordingly, smoking as well as other sources of ignition should be controlled on the job. Fire ex tinguishing equipment should be handy. Respiratory protective equip ment such as chemical cartridge respirators may be required in cer tain areas where high solvent con centrations develop despite the use of ventilation. Such respirators should be available on the job, should be kept in proper repair at all times, and workers should be trained to use such equipment. Spraying of Asbestos Asbestos is commonly applied to interior surfaces. It is used mainly on exposed steel beams and girders in buildings where fireproof construction is required as well as on ceiling and ceiling aprons of auditoriums and meeting rooms. Because it leaves a finish which is somewhat -soft, it is limited in use to areas-which can be protected either by additional cover ings or indirectly through inaccessi bility. Asbestos coatings may be applied either manually or pneumatically.' The 3 412259 0227 a finish coat. mix. Analysis showed : bothmaterials were nearly 100' = percent asbestos.with a small amount of; filler, as a non-fibrous nature;- ` v >. V Findings of our: dust study were discussed with representatives of, the contractors, the building trades coun- cil, and business agents bf every trade phi the.; job.- We indicated. that -dust-' concentrations were excessive but that the problem could be' corrected by togregating and ventilating the oper- atioir and/or by the use of approved respirators by everyone on thei floor ' in which' the fireproofing. operation ` was - being' carried putt: Tbe follou^-up visit revealed that 1 the fireproofing contractors had pro- . vided a luge, wall fan whidi was used when the spraying was done. rAlso, the `'floor on which die crew.' - .was.' working was .sealed: off: by., ` means, of plastic curtains. No other Figure 4. Workman loads asbestos for pneumatic feed to spray gun. He is'not wearing a respirator. . workers were required to work on ; > the floor while spraying was taking, -| information we present is primarily is 5 million particles of dust per cubic place and if one elected to, he ,was supposed to-wear a Bureau of concerned with pneumatic application. foot of air. A series of representative `v . Mines-approved respirator. These The principal hazard in spraying as work room air samples were collected; ' were on hand with each contractor bestos is excessive contamination of Sampling locations were from 15 to .providing, them for,,his. own men.., the air with asbestos dust particles. 30 feet from' the spraying operation .* In another study in which the : Inhalation of excessive quantitiesj of and. the dust concentrations; were interior of a dome was being sprayed, 1 asbestos dust over a period of years found to range from 14 to 59 million > the crew was -uninformed of the as-; on.the job can result in serious lung particles per cubic foot, considerably bestos inhalation luizard, respirators ' 1 difficulties. above .the maximum' allowable, con were available but: not necessarily The hazards of asbestos spraying centration level. .1. ; t ;': worn, and the dust-concentrations ex are not only limited to the spray Two samples, of .the spraying ' ceeded 10-million particles per cubic . operators, but,'may affect anyone in materials were lab tested.. One, was foot of air in the workroom. Because or near the contaminated work area. a base coat material and die: other of inaccessibility no breathing zone Recently, this Division studied a routine asbestos spraying oper ation in which the spraying equip ment consisted of a feeding hopper and a compressor connected with a flexible hose to a gun. Asbestos fibers from the hopper were, fed. into1the flexible hose and propelled by a blower system to the spray gun where it was wetted with water (sometimes containing an adhesive)* The amount of asbestos fibers and water-applied in the final mix were controlled with a valving system|pn both the spray gun and the hopper feed mechanism. | Although employees doing the fire proofing were provided with dust respirators, other tradesmen (electri-cians, plumbers, carpenters) were not similarly protected. They complained and a study was conducted quickly. Present maximum allowable con-. ; centration for asbestos dust as recom mended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists 4 412259 0228  samples were collected at the elevated height where the spray operator was located but it is assumed that the concentrations there were excessive. Since the spraying operation is such that the maximum threshold level will be exceeded in almost all instances where the work is done unless control measures are applied, it is reasonable to expect that aU asbestos spray con tractors will adequately control the operations so as to minimize the health hazard to their workers. Suggested Work Control Procedures e Educate all workers as to the asbestos toxicity problem and proper work techniques. e Provide adequate ventilation so that the dust concentrations de veloped in the general workroom do not exceed the maximum thresh old level. Wherever possible, segregate the asbestos spraying operations so adjacent areas in the work place are not contaminated with asbestos dust. Provide and make die wearing of Bureau of Mines-approved type respiratory protective equipment mandatory where the dust con centrations are excessive. Such respirators should be provided by the contractor. All employees engaged in such work should be given pre-employ ment physical examinations before being hired and should be given periodic physical exams. These ex aminations should include chest x-rays. Vacuum cleaner type surface cleaning procedures should be used in place of manual sweep tech niques. Application of Red Lead Paint After several investigations, this Division has confirmed that lead hazard problems on construction and highway work exist mainly as a result of lead-based paint coatings used on structural steel. Our attention was first directed to this problem as a result of reports indicating that paint crew employees on a highway bridge project had developed lead poisoning. Inquiries since directed to the highway departments in other states have not verified similar problems in' these locations. Observation on the job indicates a general lack of knowledge of the seriousness of this problem by most workers and supervisory personnel. For example, on a routine highway bridge maintenance job involving sand blasting of the painted steel structural members, the workers were not wearing respirators. Air samples indicated lead concentra tions ranging from 6 to 116 milli grams per cubic meter and dust concentrations ranging from 117 to 285 millions of particles per cubic foot of air. Lead may enter the body through inhalation, swallowing, or absorption through the skin. The latter can be ruled out in construction work unless gasoline containing tetraethyl or tetramethyl lead is handled by employees in a careless manner allowing it to make direct contact with the skin. Inhalation is dangerous where wire brushing, sanding, or grinding is done, particularly with automatic tools, and where lead-based paints are applied with hot or cold air or airless spray methods. Swallowing is another serious mode of lead entry into the body and reflects personal hygiene habits which have been observed to be basically poor on outdoor construc tion projects. Lead contaminated work clothing, dirty hands, and activities such as smoking and eat ing on the job site can all result in swallowing hazardous amounts of lead. Our Division feels the problem is severe and the well-being of many workers is being endangered on an almost daily basis. On construction jobs, certain environmental control procedures should be implemented for the benefit of all employees including those of the subcontractors. A major contractor may be able to put through an adequate program for his own employees because of direct supervision. But the problem is more difficult with subcontractors. Possibly, effective control can be initiated as a contract stipulation. Another important consideration is die educational approach through meetings and in making adequate and carefully prepared material available to work crews. The obvious answer to the lead paint problem is the use of a substi tute paint. While we have been suc cessful in this approach in several steel fabricating shops where iron oxide pigmented paint is now used, even in these places, job orders are received from time to time where the customer insists on lead type paint. Paint manufacturers maintain that there are substitutes available which are at least as good as lead coatings. Apparently, they have not been suf ficiently diligent in proving it. The alternative is effective protection of the worker on the job. In the area of protective equip ment, respiratory protective devices such as die type approved by the Bureau of Mines for protection against lead dispersoid and organ ic vapors should be worn by all employees engaged in wire brush ing, grinding, automatic sanding, or any other type of operation which produces any appreciable quantities of lead dust. While working in en closed areas such as in bridge tow ers or in water tanks, workers should wear Bureau of Minesapproved air supply hoods. Super visors should see that respirators are in good working condition and see to it that the men wear them as part of the job requirements. Protective clothing is important since contaminated clothing is a source of lead dust. A usual practice is to have lead workers in industry change clothing in locker rooms designed for the purpose. On arrival, workers change into clean work clothes and before departing, are encouraged to take showers and change back into street clothing. The work clothing is then laundered. Outdoor construc tion workers, especially, wear the same work clothing for extended pe riods of time. This is a source of contamination. Personal hygiene'is the most im portant single factor in preventing in gestion of lead and involves not only routine and deliberate washing of the hands and face but a personal con sciousness of the need for extreme care in handling hazardous materials. Hot water, soap, and towels should be provided so that the men can keep reasonably dean. Washup procedures should be enforced particularly before the noon meals and before workers leave the job site. The use of waterless cleaners may be satisfactory as a substitute for soap and water in the event that they can not be supplied. The fact that smok- 5 412259 0229 1 ingandplacingthe hands .in or near the mouth also can result in ingestion of lead should be emphasized to the''1 workers. j In the care of the eyes and face, the use of face shields or safety glasses should be a mandatory re- 4 quirement on all jobs where flying debris is present in the atmosphere. TThls is especially important in wire; brushing, grinding, and sanding. |: Effective supervision is another important factor. An occasional 1 project engineer, sometimes has little actual interest in the health and 1 safety. of his men, so. it becomes : : * important for: the contractor to fol- | low up on all-jobs,to see that con- ditions which could endanger health I of the employees are controlled. >| i It's an excellent practice to see that all employees are given pre-employ ment physical examinations and that they be checked periodically when they are engaged in potentially haz ardous work. (:.AU employees, who may possibly be exposed; to. lead should be tested for lead absorption in ac cordance with the program outlined in Volume 5, Issue . 1 (Fall,, 1959), Michigan's Occupational^Health bul letin. The Division .is prepared to collect and analyze urine and blood' samples submitted for evaluation of lead i absorption where' new biological control programs are being instituted. 1 Education of workers, as well as supervisors is unquestionably neces sary. ! Suggested Work Control Procedures Educate employees as to the . lead toxicity problem arid in prop er work techniques. | e Good personal hygiene habits' are particularly important. Water,' ( ' soap, and towels should be pro-'"': , vided and workers should at least.; wash their hands thoroughly be- ; fore eating and before leaving their ' work ' stations. Waterless ::haiid:-j cleaners> should.be provided"where: j ' water is unavailable. ,. - '*>... O Bureau,,of Mines-approved \ respirators should be provided, and,. 1 their use. made mandatory where 1 excessive dust; (grinding, chipping, wire brushing) 'and paint' pigment (spray painting) are giyen off. ;1. Use of frequently cleaned work clothing should be' encour- 1 , aged.* | Workers should be given pre- employment and periodic physical 1 examinations. r' A .biological testing program; should be instituted'where working | with lead is, a routine matter. A or less than 0.05 mg Pb/100 grams whole blood). ; ' minimum program' follows: ' j Pouring -fn.-'Place or ', Minimum-Medical Program This is a recommended minimum lead control program For ease in : interpretation of lead and blood levels, i refer to Table 1.. ; .1 Incorporate a routine biologicaltest program for all employees exposed* to lead: - '' .; , '' ' f (a) .: Urine;? samples.to be taken, at least every:'three months and! examined for lead content In areas of excessive lead exposure (air con-: centrations' above 0.15" Mg/M*); urine samples should be obtained monthly from exposed workers: . ! (b) Blood samples to beVan- alyzed for lead to be taken from all workers following urinary lead ' excretions greater, /than ;0.15 mg Pb/1 urine..; A/second urine sample should be obtained at the tame time forleadanalysis. f (c) Blood mid urine; samples; to :,.,'i Application of::j 1 I*, PolyurethaneFoam ' The use of polyurethane resins in both foam products and other specialty items has 'grown remarkably in the past-few years. The number of items . made of polyurethane' foam is almost endless and it enjoys particular popu- * larityin the construction , industry ' 'basically as an insulating material., ' The chemical formulations used ;\,cain' be.varied to produce poly.. urethane products of various chemi- <.! chi' and . physical properties and \ : - invariably involve a reaction of , toluene diisocyanate with a poly-.. /ester or polyether type compound, f: During. production of the foam, > " occupational: health problems can de-.. : .velop; because'of the common use `of toluene diisocyanate, which is a highly toxic, material. Tn high concentrations, , TDI can C;be lethal* and in small be repeated*on,a monthly schedule amounts, it is very irritating to the from all workers- excreting lead in mucous membranes, producing an ' concentrations .,of 0.15 mg Pb/1 asthmatic type effect ,-,i :V; urine or with blood levels greater ; Great care must be taken in .its ^ 1 than 0.05mg Pb/100,grams whole use and ' close 'engineering and - blood. i. .'..J.:,',''.;** ''"'t''"''" - medical supervision of the work- . (d) Remove workers from lead men are desirable. "Potired-in-place . exposure' areas whereblood lead insulation (between partitions) and concentrations reach a level;iof ,0.08 a spray application tosurfacesof mg Pb/100; grams 'whole blocid or steel storage tanks, forexample, are. , above. Workers should nqt.be re j-r twoimportant uses in theconstruc- employed in' lead areas until biological samples '' indicate reduced levels of lead in, these body fluids .(urine --equal,,to or less than 0.15 mg Pb/1 or urine. Blood equal ,to -. * tion field. :The foams are made by *metering arid mixing the correct v*. antaunt of toluene dnsocyanato and * other^required ingredients (poly- . j (;i'';,es*ersi;;p61jreUiers)..''-,' TABLE INTERPRETATION OF BIOLOGICAL LEAD SAMPLES. Urine lead mg/liter Blood lead v ' mfl/100 gm: 0.01 to 0.06 Noa-occupatiaaal . s. i Normal trad obsorptioaI f Re-check: 4 to 8 wtaks;'','; : 0.06 to 0.15 Occupotional j.. . Normal lead absorptiaai " I' ' Re-check ` 0.15 to 0.20 Occupational1 ^" ,[ j- Hazardous lead absorptioa ; Re-check: 2 to 4 weaks i'OJO Plus .,^JCec#e!lleeh`3-'i%*"- - ? Absorption'compatibla .with lead .intoxication: * , .Recommend Blood lead; test, | . Hemoglobm and ,j j.,.- Erythrocyte count -! i'A Rmitine erinalysit ' ', j'**,'. JPhysicalexamiiiatioa. 4 Re-eheek: l to d weeks ,. 0.02 to 0O4 Non-occupatMaal : 4 . J""1" .' Normal lMd absorptioa OOt to 007 OccupatioiMl, i,;;'-:"' r(" Normal 'lata ataorpHaa ,; Re-check: 4 to $ weeks 0O7 to 0.08 Occupational Hazardoas leta ohserptiee Re-check: 4 to B.weeks 0.08Plus Occupatioaal Absorptioa compatible .'with, lead hitoxicatioa Racommead immediate re check and removal from lead expoeure area and ' 1 :J:' physical examiadtidn J .; ; 1 q 1 ; r'i US m ir'i vI i 412259 0230 . .1 n;t drying up spills. The contaminated absorbent then must be removed quickly to a ventilated location and/or treated with one of the decontamina ting solutions. Figure 6. Personal protective devices as a function of areas around the structure being sprayed, wind direction, and spray point. If the material is to be sprayed on to a surface, which is typical of the outdoor application to storage tanks for insulation purposes, all of the chemicals used are automatically metered through a special type spray gun unit. If the chemicals are to be poured between partitions or other cavities where it is to foam, gel, and cure it is simply a matter of metering and mixing the correct amount of materials and pouring them into the mold. In either case, where the foam is the result of the carefully metered automatic spray system or a manual paper cup mixing operation on the job site, a potential hazard exists. TDI, although generally used in amounts required for a complete chemical reaction, can be given off during the mixing, foaming, and curing procedures or can result from spillage. It can be irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, cause eye injuries upon direct contact, and as noted above, can cause an asthmatic reaction in some people. Also, susceptible individuals may become sensitized to TDI. Peterson, Copeland, and Hoyle, reporting on the potential health hazards of spraying polyurethane foam out-of-doors1 have indicated that hazardous concentrations of TDI can develop at varying dis tances downwind of the spray area dependent upon "distance from the gun, spray gun elevation, formula tion uses, temperature and humidity of the air, air pressure of the spray gun, rate of adduct (reaction prod uct of an excess of TDI with a polyol) used, configuration and size of the object being sprayed, wind velocity, and the use of tarpaulins to reduce air turbulence." Based on their findings, there is no question but that the immediate spray crew at the spray point is in a vulnerable position because of the presence of excessive concentrations of TDI and should be provided with and made to wear air supply hoods and other protective clothing. It was alk> found that in outdoor spraying, the evolution of TDI vapor from the foam surface, once applied, was an insignificant problem. The authors recommend that all persons within 150 feet downwind of the spray gun wear suitable eye protection. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the recom mended precautions when spraying outdoors. Definitions of the terms used in the drawings are as follows: This contaminant can be controlled by providing ventilation and/or re spiratory protective equipment at the various sources' of contamination. Also, adequate facilities should be provided for decontamination of work areas in case of accidental spills of MSCUt TDI. These should include adequate floor drainage, hoses, mops, and buck Figure 7. The recommended precautions shown in this chart are similiar to those in ets. A decontaminant consisting of aqueous 5% ammonia containing Figure 6, but in this case the spray point is upwind of the structure being sprayed. 10% isopropyl alcohol or a water "'1P__e_te_r_s_o_a_,_J..E?^lppek^^^^C^|tg^g'Jtl solution of sodium carbonate should?& r ** keP` " hand' oil absorbent can be used since it is helpful m October, 1962, ^ *7 ' 1. "Goggles required. This statement is intended to mean that the eyes should be completely pro tected from airborne material. Such protection can be achieved by wear ing a full-face gas mask, soft-frame louvered goggles, chemical workers' tight fitting rubber goggles, etc. Experience has shown that regular spectacles with or without sideshields are definitely not adequate eye protection. "In the area where goggles are required, some protection for the hair, clothing, and shoes is also recommended. The type of equip ment used is immaterial so long as it will protect against contact with sticky particles drifting in the air. Also, in this area, respiratory pro tection equivalent to or better than an organic vapor respirator should be immediately available to all per sonnel. Such respiratory protection should be worn at any time when the characteristic odor and/or ir ritation of TDI is noticed.' 2. "Goggles and respirator re quired. In this area, both goggles and respirator should be worn at all times when spraying is being done. The word goggles has the same meaning as above, and the goggles and respirator could, of course, mean a full-face gas mask, full-face respirator, etc. Coveralls are very desirable as are a hat (either soft or hard) and high rub bers. Hand protection (gloves of any type) is recommended. "Goggles and respirator should be the minimum protective equipment for all persons within 10 feet of the spray gun when the gun is not in use but is connected to the adduct supply line. Such conditions may well occur when the gun is being cleaned or inspected on the job. 3. "Air-supplied hood required. This recommendation is intended to apply to all personnel within 10 feet of the spray gun, upwind, downwind, or laterally, while spray ing is being done. Along with the air-supplied hood, impervious gloves, tightly buttoned coveralls, and impervious foot covering are also necessary." It should be obvious that the pour ing of foam-in-place insulation indoors is also a matter requiring adequate control if the workers are to be pro tected. 412259 0231 y3&ucr*i Suggested Work Control Procedures (Indoor) e Educate the workers as to the toxic nature of the materials being handled and inform them of the work procedures to be applied. e Segregate die area with tar paulin or curtains of some type if spraying is done indoors or if the foam is poured in place or sprayed. Provide adequate ventilation control. In construction work, this is a rather loosely applied term and it is difficult to define here except to indicate that the air volumes exhausted to die outside from the work area should be such that in the general workroom area con centrations of TDI should not be in excess of the maximum threshold level of 0.02 parts per million. Where spraying is done, all personnel within 10 feet of the spray gun should wear air supplied hoods, impervious gloves, tighdy buttoned coveralls, and impervious foot coverings. Chemical cartridge respirators are suitable for work crews involved in the manual pour ing of resins. In the latter type operation it is important that the metering station be properly ven tilated and that all foam debris and waste paper cups and other con tainers be kept in a controlled location, since these can be sources of contamination. A considerable amount of develop ment work in the application of polyurethane foam to mine walls is presendy being done. The foam lining is desirable for its insulating properties in deep mines where air conditioning is applied (the rock stratum increases in temperature with depth) and may also serve to reduce resistance to air flow. Fitzpatrick2 and others in a recent paper described the results of their studies in a mine drift at a 4100 foot level where one to two inches of foam were applied using the spray gun tech nique. Methylene diphenyl diisocyan ate (MDI) was used in place of tolu ene diisocyanate and the maximum vapor concentration was found to be 0.06 PPM. They reported that the particulates from the spray contained reacting MDI in the spray area and for SO feet downwind and that with adequate respiratory protection (see information on spraying) the airborne particulates containing MDI did not cause any obvious irritation to any of the men exposed. Summary It appears that much of the success in the control of health hazards in construction work is dependent on the requirements of governing agencies, the insistence of the client, the de termination of the contractors and subcontractors, the effectiveness of the supervisory personnel, and the attitude of the workers themselves. To the variables just listed, can be added the general character of the construction industry, factors such as rugged weather conditions, lack of sanitary facilities, temporary work crews, pressure of schedules to be met, variation in operations (a plasterer may apply plaster one week and as bestos another), and the rough, chang ing nature of the site all important factors. Despite the foregoing, the prob lem of uncontrolled health hazards in construction work can be solved if there is a determination on the part of all involved to do so. Health and economic considerations leave no altemature but successful con trol. Six general methods which tend to minimize occupational health haz ards in construction include: (1) ade quate ventilation, natural or mechani cal, to dilute concentrations of gases, vapors, mists, dusts, and fumes to safe levels; (2) use of wet methods to allay dust; (3) personal hygiene, including frequent washing of the hands and body and frequent changes of clothes to minimize skin contact with chem ical agents; (4) personal protective devices, including respirators, gloves, clothing, boots or shoes and eye guards; (S) education by keeping workers informed about'the nature of the potentially hazardous substances used and the physical agents en countered, including suitable protec tive measures for each situation; and (6) substitution of non-toxic of less toxic materials than are commonly used. *Scheel, Lester D., Warren, John W., Laird, Frank J., Jr., Watson, Harold A., Harris, E. J., Beatty, Robert L,, Fitzpatrick, Mal colm, and Craft, Bob F.; A Survey of an Application of Polyurethane Foam to Mine Walls Using Methylene Diphenyldiisocynate (MDI), paper presented at the American Industrial Hygiene Conference, 1963. i - . > 9 2* .v.. VOL. 8, NO. 3 SPRING, 1963 Bulk Rate U. S. Postage PAID Lansing, Michigan Permit No. 162 3 l 47 2259 0232 315 The Growing Importance of Industrial Hygiene JOHN D. HARPER PITTSBURGH Industry can feel justly proud of the In dustrial Hygiene Foundation. It is encourag ing to me that in an era when the expansive grasp of government is reaching out to regu late and control more and more phases of economic life, there is a voluntary nongov ernmental research organization to turn to on problems of environmental engineering. The Industrial Hygiene Foundation not only conducts surveys and carries on research for dealing with these sensitive matters, but it also works hand in hand with many com panies, applying its wealth of knowledge and scientific skills to their everyday problems. The Foundation, staffed by people of high professional caliber, has a strong impact on Presented at the 27th Annual Meeting of the Industrial Hygiene Foundation, Pittsburgh, Oct 24-25, 1962. Vice President, Aluminum Company of America, 1501 Alcoa Building. 21 the industrial community through its educa tional courses, seminars, meetings, reports, and publications. Its history is in itself an impressive record of the changing concept of occupational health practice and of the progress made by industry as a whole and particularly by those companies affiliated with the Foundation. This Foundation has well earned the support of industrial man agement. Industrial hygiene today, concerned as it is with man, animals, property, and vegeta tion, is awesome in scope and challenging in responsibility. Its pattern over the years has been transformed from one of curatiye medi cine to that of prevention of occupational ill ness, injury, and damage. With changing times and the dynamic growth of industrial, political, economic, and social life, industrial hygiene needs have be come very complex and have evolved into matters of grave responsibility for anyone who has created employment. Today, thou sands of people work together in concen trated areas; machinery and materials of production are complex and ever changing. A multitude of laws and rulings regulate employer and employee, and the whole at mosphere of industrial activity is under the constant scrutiny of government and public alike. The need for an industrial hygiene pro gram becomes even more evident in the light of the demands made by industry's new en vironment, the medically enlightened but apprehensive public, the broadened compen sation rulings for medical disorders and their effect on the employer, and the increased union and governmental activities in occu pational medicine and hygiene. Success in this field requires that manage ment fully understands the scope and im portance of industrial hygiene, the need for a well-planned program, and the benefits which can be achieved. Every such program should have realistic, attainable goals spelled out in terms of better employee and com munity relationships, actual savings in dol lars and cents, and the proper fulfillment by a corporation of its role as good citizens. 412259 0233 3X6 ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH The scope of a program of industrial hy jobs are associated with occupatipnal health giene can be tailored by using as guidelines problems, the industrial hygienist must con- , the number of employees involved, the nature stantly maintain a 2-way channel of commu of the work, the availability of qualified med nication with all: of them. The. industrial ical hygiene| personnel, and the time and -hygienist should collect and analyze the think money alloted tothe program. ing of others and make sound recommenda A most important primary step is.for man tions to management based on such over-all agement to make its endorsement of an in- i knowledge and experience. -* dustrial hygiene program known throughout . Perhaps the heart of an industrial hygiene ! the companyj so that all workers are aware program in the preventive sense is the build- . of the interest and support backing the ef ting of a constant awareness of existent po fort. Next, | the atmosphere and contacts tential hazards. Because everyone at a work which form die over-all environment created site is involved wittiatmospbere and contains, by the veiy existence of the work site must; this awareness can only be built "up through be examined and understood. Within a plant mass employee communication. Industrial there are many potential environmental ; hygiene should be stressed in training pro health hazards, ranging from light, toxic grams, house organs, letters to employees, chemicals, noise, temperature, and vibration meetings, bulletin boards, and by any other : to the very important psychological relation- , communication methods used: to'reach the : ships existing among employees. various levels of company personnel. 1 Industry's responsibility in our culture is 1 The attitude of every-employee is condi not confined to the welfare of people at the tioned by the way in which he gefs along work site alone. Today, there is concern with with, others and especially with those who everything emanating^ from the plant with supervise his*work,' Healthy attitudes built which people may be in contact. Industry on happy relationships can do much to im must realizejthat anything emitted into the prove the working1 atmosphere for all while air and the water, as well as products which lessening the threat.of environmental health, emerge from' the plant, may carry potential hazards. Management is well advised to train health hazards. Thousands of difficulties its supervisory people in humanrelations.- have arisen from smoke and fumes, from > Every enlightened < management should water pollution, and from other atmospheric scrutinize industrial hygiene aspects very contaminants and elements, resulting from closely before making decisions such as the industrial production. selection of new plant sites, changes in plant While such, a wide scope of responsibility processes, and additions to and relocations is staggering^ it presents no challenge that within present plant areas. It is of utmost cannot be overcome by a management will- - importance that all problems regarding en ing to take direct action wherever possible vironment and contact be referred to properly while overseeing the job to fulfillment This qualified personnel who should be authorized requires a constant surveillance of man and to handle them. his environment. The environmental factors j Study, plan, and actipn'are as important must be recognized, measured, and thor outside of the plant and in the community oughly understood and, where necessary, con as they are at the work site. A constant trolled and changed to meet , adequate health watch for actual and potential trouble spots standards. To do this, it is necessary to have With strong concentration oh preventive qualified industrial hygienists- oversee the measures is the key. Out-of-plant problems program. The industrial hygienist's job is offer many opportunities for cooperative re to study all aspects of every potential en search- whereMother companies, industries, vironmental health hazard. Working, closely and foundations are linked together in a com with the plant doctor, nurse, safety engineer, mon interest. Such cooperative ventures are production people, and other personnel whose especially.helpful for. companies Which lack . Vol. 6, March; 1963 .22 412259 0234 318 Disability Benefits Federal or State A dministration R. NEWELL LUSBY NEW YORK ttapSTTCTSt) ;haxacteristic of today's demean society is more~Trottblesom_iQ_ of us than one emphasized by the draimproved communication facilities of our thqe. In any radio or television news cast, dailyN^wspaper, or periodical dedi cated to consideration of serious subjects the attentive man will fmttjnore than enough ma terial to strain his intellectual capacity. There are problems of public healtlljshousing, in ternational disarmament, balance\pf trade, highway safety, and of criminal lawpnforcement. These an3~a~irroltitude_a--<Jthers are before us. Any one of them constitutes an impressive challenge to the capabilities of intelligent men. Among my friends there is ansalarming tendency to consider the solu tion of these problems to be completely be yond tfibscapabilities of the individual. Collaterally r\find a growing tendency to leave responsibility^for the solution of the problems to so-callea^xperts." It is this tendency to devote more ahd^more of one's energies to the problems in otters personal affairs and less and less attention tothe problejns-f-th_community as a whole which may veil be the mosTsenOus threat tcrSur society day. Die founders of our country held the firm convibtion that our form of government would survive only if every individual made a real contribution to the solution of the prob lems of his villa^s^state, and nation. One of the major philosophical conflicts between gunders centered aboifr'-tije ability of ^citizensto^s&yme responsibilities uthccent in the representative"democracy form of gt>vermhMt. There were thnsP--Uke. Hamilt who tnbught that our nation could survive and prosper'Bqly if it were governed by an oligarchy of the'educated and the wealthy, but the view that prevailed, the concept upon which the structure of our'goyemment ulti mately was built, was the concept that the poiyer of government lay in the people and Presented at thp~~77th -Annual Vffftlfiri J^'e the Industrial Hygiene Foundation, Pittsburgh, Oct 24-25, 1962. Vice President, America Fore Loyalty Insurance Group, 80 Maiden Lane. if 412259 0235 1 IMPORTANCE OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE 317 the money and manpower to cope with prob and technology, .the, forces of environment lems on their lown. and contact threaten to become even, more , There are in existence several govern , complex and challenging: One evidence of I mental agencies specifically set, up to work in the field of industrial hygiene. Many of these agencies have already done extensive and costly research, and can lend competent this growing complexity is seen in the health : and safety clause which is now being-written i into many union contracts.; In essence, this . clause gives a worker theright to walk off help and sage advice to industry. .Certainly - a! job if he feels that working'conditions are I their resources should, be, thoroughly consid unsafe or unhealthy. Thus, it strongly be- < ered and utilized to the,fullest extent. While i Hooves management to plan for a healthy i considering government as a partner in this \ wholesome working environment. If man- work, most of the standards by which- a agement does not. the govemment will. company's industrial hygiene program must , Ifc no industrial, hygiene program exists,- operate up to now have been governments , industry has no rapport with its employees 1 made. These rules are established primarily or with the community in this most imporby legislation, commission ruling, and court tant- phase of relationship--health and its' ! decision. To (maintain a position of sover preservation. Without a sound plan, com- i eignty with the power of checks and bal pension hazards mount with consequent ris- ances against the ever increasing rule,.of . ing losses in time, money, and morale. 1 government, it is essential to work out prob . 'An employer has an obligation-to provide. ! lems on an individual basis or in concert with asafe and healthful atmosphere for those he' : other private interests. Failing this, author hires and should be solicitous toward, the ef- i ity will be surrendered to the government, feet his working site h^s on the; surrounding and the future will see a centralized control community. Any industrial hygiene.program, \ in which we have, little voice. to be successful, shquldi.be on an individual' 1 There are several ways of helping to in sure private enterprise in this field. Since so many rules are created by legislators and commissions, it is extremely important that industry keep (such authoritative people fully basis, tailored to the particular'needs and problems of the location.- involved. In the j longrun, industry will be a.major beneficiary I of such a plan. , -There are many more factors, in this wide informed so that whatever standards are set , scope of- contact and environment. Today, will be realistic and based on first-hand industrial health is an-integral part of man- knowledge of the problems involved. Wher agment's and employees',, concern; It de ever possible, industry should encourage its mands a plan of action; it promises a profit i knowledgeable people to serve on commis -in, realistic benefits;1 it'challenges all; of in-. , sions working for the benefit of industry., dustry to .accept a distinct obligation, and : The voice of industry can be heard in this warns that if it is forsaken the.price of de- fault is rigid governmental, control. way and its interests well represented. , John D. Harper, Vice President, Aluminum Com- . In the days ahead--when all signs seem to pany of America,--1501 Alcoa .Building, Pittsburgh point to an even greater growth of industry i9. Pa. . 23 Harper 412259 0236 XKJUgTgsAi }xi: . .. . ; wj >:iit* :*me y JC, W, Jiff- - 1' 5>*3'v . ? >' Alj X. L. Mwt* . mm;,.! T, R. Ovi'i'ivr. fc.f.N. SiliUr- ilea*. ^ob. Weft* V,i, n A. IU? - ^Jlo V. A. Brr 0. t. tor** C* 0. 7uinf n. A. SeaJtm - >;o?uicn - Vt.Cc.afort <5k. *t .%-Ctx.fr t X fp-e^. m 8, 9. ?or\r Y<ui?o<irer il. A. ?ern<?ii <$. `D- tBtfoNO ____ _ ->. t JUn H. 0. n-'llftrns We*:tche - "ftifcIB-gO P. J. lTin 9. M. H*?rl* Criocoro ^M^&veupex 9. C. 9tip? A. Ji. MlHor Detroit * dgwetr J. W. ?ulk Sdlvtn L $. C9*ab*rs A^Brtv*ll Uftytti Unetftfr C. 1, Bleifitt - *n laila|1on A. S. - Rlcbnood T. X. McCUntoet Vernoa ^p, ;?t3 412259 0237 ft Division Raw Materials > \ Refining Smelting ' - * * Fabricating > *- \ * .- *4 -* '> ' ,,. Poundry . ' * * / ARL. Alcoa Bldg. t' Works 4*$c^-r Conpan y Doctora Doctor -.*** -"** J 5/6 3. Hired * t Bauxite Rosiclare Suriname y J. L. Martindale / John R. Duffey I. D. Guicherit .R. Dawson P. Nassy (Paramaribo) A.B.G. Tjon A Tsien J.Tjong Tjin Joe (Afobaka) L. B. Olmtak H.L.A. Kleine (Paranan) 'i -- \ \t .k \ Hauxite E. St. Louis Mobile Pt. Comfort ^*J. L. Martindale AK-PT-S=teyve4 V .Howard Walker, Jr. y John Griffin Alcoa Badin Massena Pt. Comfort Rockdale Vancouver V/ a r r i c k Wenatchee S W. N. Dawson J. S. Phelan 'A. P. Lapsley Orville Jack Duncan /Maurice J. Elder ^John Griffin / J. T. Richards yF. J. O'Hara /Thomas C. Burger /L. C. Miller Alcoa Chillicothe Cressona Davenport Edgewater Laf ayette Lancaster Massena New Kensington Richmond Vancouver fro**. Chicago Cleveland Detroit Edison Vernon *J; S. Phelan *W. N. Dawson ^Charles N. Hoyt 'Ralph Lyons /A. W. Shaker Emil Stirnac Joseph Ferrante No regular plant doctor /Carl C. Kessler Maurice J. Elder S Colin Kamperman teggawgars** *F. J. O'Hara /or, n. -^Ralph P. White /.w. A. Engel ' A. J. Szmigiel y Malcolm Dunham ^Victor H. Barbour New Kensington /J). A. Fusia. Jr. Pittsburgh___________ W. Leigh Cook, Jr. < 'w i 4 ' 4?6l 57eT5 * *. 1 ! i ' i' - **. r 4 a * > :, t . 476^ ,4-' .. 'r * " tr . 0** t. ' r St - ;. 7 / * ^.duplications INTER From LESTER V. CRALLEY PITTSnURGH RRESPONDENCE August 21, 1958 To R. s. Adams P. n. Colby E. N. Goas W. E. Goza F. r. Haluska N. A. Hayes G. w. Hutton D. D. Kent J. F. LaClair J. H. Long A. B. Masters R. H. Moore J. J. Moroncy . W. L. Mo we C. G. Orr R. E. Paine R. L. Parsons A. w. Petrey J. T. Quirk J. Schachtele R. E. Schenck H. A. Scmken D. F. Shantz C. S. Short C. L. Teubert E. M. Trimble R. E. Whitson W. F.M . Williams E. B. Youngblut - Olean - Garwood - Cressona - Pt. Comfort - Cleveland - Badin - Wenatchee - Davenport - Lancaster - B.St.Louis Laf ayettc - Rosiclare - Massena - Mobile - Alcoa Fab. - Vernon - Warrick - Vancouver - Bridgeport - Chillicothe - Detroit - Rockdale - Richmond - N.K. - Chicago - Bauxite M. - Bauxite Al. - Alcoa Sm. - Edgewater Re: INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE Attached are hygienic guides for the following substances: Asbestos 2-4 Dinitrophcnol Ethylene Dibromide Lead and its Inorganic Methyl Bromide Silica Sodium Chlorate Uranium (Natural) Compounds LVC:DB cc: r& MIHTKO IN U.I.A. A. L.Alexand er - Alcoa Sm. c. T.Bardo -Massena C G.Bell - Cleveland R. H.Brown - Mobile J. E.Burns - Warrick Fr ank Cox - Alcoa Fab. B. H. Droz- Wenatchee A. L. Gantt - Badin 0. L. Go e1e t - Detroit G. L. Hunti ng- Vancouver w. G. Marti n - Rockdale L. V. Crallcy 412259 0239 A. B. Masters - Lafayette John Miner - B uf f alo E. J- Mulligan - Pt. Comfort F. H. Regehr - Vernon A. w. Westfall - E. St. Louis G. D. Wheeler - Pt. Comfort L. L. White - :Bauxite Al. T. n. Bonney A J. M. Plunkett - c. L. Bradshaw fc W. R. Gilliland FROM D. A. WHITFIELD MATERIALS AND STANDARDS SECTION PITTSBURGH OFFICE - 3 WPH fndustrial Hygiene TO MEMORANDUM 1979-05-29 BDO & JD TB8 lO CCD RMJ i db HG? E LMN RE: HAZARDOUS MATERIAL" CONTROL' COMMITTEE" v' PLANT VISIT - ROCKDALE OPERATIONS - 1979 The following four members of the Corporate Committee visited the Alcoa Rockdale Operations on May 22 and 23: J. H. Dudas, A. B. McKee, R. E. Toth and D. A. Whitfield. The purpose of the visit was to-meet-with representatives frotf arl^'depe^tmerfts^ o^tiife^^l^mtv (see Attachment "A"f, to'descrlbethe1 Cbrpbirate ^Cbnirtlttlee^as functions/1 and- tc becbme'better informfedonytbe^attt?^ctivi:ties|u and problem areass The committee' members- were- well1 received by'"the* Rockdaie..Operations personnel. Mr. JoeTiifaha? opened the discussions with 35 mm slides describing: 1) The nature of the hazardous material control problem within Alcoa. 2) The responsibilities of the Corporate Committee, and 3) The activities of the committee regarding DOT requirements, OSHA standards, Alcoa Material Data Sheets, in plant labeling system, and Hazardous Material Training. He requested that the plant review the proposed Material Data Sheet passed out and suggest possibly a more useful arrangement of items. Eventually within the Albdck'- fhmiTy 'aH/ plaritls liaving the same materials will have the same data sheets!. He stated that. a#l plants will be requested to submit; a^li~st''-`tK^ candidates foremost, hazardous materia. The plants will be re quested to help develop the data sheets on selected materials by the end of the year. To spread the work load, Rockdale's input is needed. RockdaiS^ stated they had written for OSHA data sheets. They presented a copy of their book on plant materials covering hazardous and non-hazardous materials. This was well documented and presents a good basis for the Material Data Sheets. Theyi'.%# expressed coifcdfrf ir'fegardingjthe handrittgof BuIfifSoda Ash ahd --.^disposal of .PCBrt^irt dielectric^b<OTpoifiBht^. tt^^M&McKfeek.wi^lnvgiVe /____--^bckda le some^ direction Mr. Jerry CongletorU listed hazardous materials on the blackboard and the committee spent the balance of the day touring the plant areas wherein the listed hazardous materials were stored and used. Attachment "B" lists a first attempt at Rockdale's most hazardous materials. 0 ALCOA 412259 0241 ATTACHMENT "A" Hazardous Material Control Meeting 1979-05-22 & 23 Rockdale Operations Allan Clayton Jerry Congleton Jim Davis Dusty Essary Gene Fontaine Jack Fry Byron Gardner John Havins Robert Hoskins Glade Lantz Nelson Mueller Brooks Parker Ted Randall Ed Remaley Dave Smith Rod Stone Larry Tate Chief Chemist Safety Manager Plant Security Manager Engineering Manager Acct. Supr. - Cost/Power Purchasing - Transportation Summer Safety Engineer Production Manager I.G.C. Safety & Security Technical Manager Safety & Health Administrator Environmental Supt. Ingot Plant Supt. Mech. Maint. Supt. Service Supt. Chief Ind. Engr. Atomizer Supt. ATTACHMENT "B" Most Hazardous Materials vat Rockdale Operations Chlorine Propane Diesel Oil Gasoline All Mineral Acids (HC1, H2S04, HN03, H3PO4, Perchloric) Solvents (Methyl Naphalene, Trichlorethylene, Varsol, and other chlorinated hydrocarbons) Alkalies (Na2C03, NaOH, NaHipoh, Lime, NH4OH) Kerosene Asbestos Silica Insulation DBPC flaked anti-oxidant PCB's Compressed Gases (02, Acet., Argon, H2S, C02, N2) Atomized Powder - Molten Material (Bath, Alum., Cast Iron, Lead) Coal Tar Pitch 412259 0243