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VOLUME 13 LABOR SAFETY NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL 425 N. MICHIGAN AVENUE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60611 SCF-ALLF-02686 1966 National Safely Congress HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS AND PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES WHEN WORKING WITH EPOXY RESINS AND SOLVENTS By CHARLES W. V/YMAN Senior Staff Engineer, Industrial Hygiene and Safety Engineering, Western Electric Co., Inc., Hawthorne Works, Chicago Epoxy resin systems arc composed of two or more reactive components: nncurrd resin, and a curing agent generally referred to as the ``hardener.'' Uncurcd liquid resins have a consistency of heavy syrup and in this form have limited use; however, when mixed with a hard ener, a chemical reaction takes place which converts it to a hard, mechanically strong material with excellent adhesion, cohesion, chemical, and electrical resistance properties. Other additives to the mix may include liquids or solids to produce desired physical properties. Epoxy resin applications include potting of electrical components, rc-inforccd plastic and metal laminates, foundry patterns, form ing tools and dies, adhesives for metal and plastic bonding, appliance finishes, floor and surface coatings. Let us look at the hazards problems. In the December, 1959, issue of the Amer ican Medical Association's Archives of In dustrial Health, the following statement was made: "Epoxy resins arc causing more oc cupational dermatitis than any other new chemical material within the past 10 years"! The first users of epoxy resins did not appreciate the delayed irritating effect resins and hardeners could have on the skin. Work ers got the material on their hands and arms during mixing, pouring, and spreading o|>crations. Since the irritant has a delayed rather than an immediate effect on most people, a few days to several weeks elapsed before severe eases of skin irritation de veloped. Recent developments of new hardening agents of low toxicity and minimum irritant potential have somewhat reduced the der matitis hazard. However, the use of these new hardeners docs not eliminate the need for following prescribed precautions to avoid contact with the material. Good housekeep ing, personal cleanliness, and ventilation arc still essential. Basic resins, reactive curing agents, reac tive diluents, and modifiers arc. mild to strong primary skin irritants, and some have sensitizing properties. The volatile materials given off during compounding, handling, and curing opera tions can cause irritation of the eyes, upper respiratory tract, ami lungs if the concen tration of the vapors is excessive. No sys temic intoxication of any significance has been associated with exposure to epoxy resins. Contact dermatitis is the common type of skin irritation produced by epoxy resins. The irritation appears at the (xjint of contact and may vary from slight reddening with mild itching to a rash or small eruptions with intense itching. In severe eases there may be open or weeping sores with or with out swelling. I f an employee contracting a mild case of contact dermatitis is removed from the ex posure and receives the necessary medical care, the irritation will usually clear up in a few days and the employee may return to the job without ill effects; that is, if lie is careful to avoid further contact with the irritant. 1severe eases the employee may become temporarily disabled and may or may not be returned to the job. Sensitization dermatitis is the less common type of dermatitis. The term is used to describe an allergic type of reaction from a sensitizing agent. The sensitizing agent may not affect the' individual on first contact, but after continued exposure for an extended licriod a dermatitis suddenly develops. After sensitization occurs, the slightest exposure to the sensitizing agent may precipitate a severe reaction. Irritation may spread from the point of contact to other parts- of the body and be accompanied by swelling and other systemic reactions. Labor Sessions Once sensitized, the skiu tolerance is so reduced that the individual develops derma titis front much lower concentration,* than would have affected him before sensitization. and arms frequently with "scrubber" type granular soap to remove these particles be fore they work their way into the skin has been found to be a good protective measure. Sensitization dermatitis is generally con sidered to be the most serious of the two types. Sensitized individuals can seldom re turn to work with the scnsitiz.ing agent, and may be more susceptible to other irritants. Experience has shown that the incidence of dermatitis from ei>oxy resins can be sat isfactorily controlled by: 1. Good engineering 2. Education of supervisor and worker Exposure Causing Dermatitis. 3. Good housekeeping The most severe exposure comes from direct contact with the hardener and with the uncurcd resin-hardener mix. Exposure can. result from contact with the volatile materials whidi arc given off during the compounding, handling, and curing of these resins. The volatile materials given off dur ing oven curing can be very irritating. Cured resins arc not always inert. If an excess of hardener is used or if * the curing action is incomplete, there may be appre ciable unrcacted hardener left in the finished part. Dust from finishing operations such as grinding, filing, sanding, etc. on such parts may contain sufficient uiicombincd hardener to irritate the skin of some individuals. It is obvious that tile best way to control e|xy dermatitis is to prevent skin contact with the hardener and uncurcd resins. No contact -- no dermatitis! 4. Protective clothing 5. Job placement and medical service Good Engineering. . Select hardeners, modifiers, and fillers hav ing tlic least irritating and toxic effect. Arrange epoxy operations to minimize traffic through the work area. Provide adequate exhaust hoods for comjKmnding, mixing, dipping, laminating, cur ing, etc., where large quantities or continuous operations arc involved. Provide properly ventilated ovens ex hausted outside the building when curing is done at elevated temperatures. Provide well ventilated areas for curing at room temperature. Provide hand washing facilities in close proximity to work area. Employee Education. Fillers. Fillers used in epoxy mixes can also pre sent problems. Asbestos, mica, silica, flour, and fiber glass, if inlialcd, can cause irrita tion of the respiratory passages. Silica and asbestos arc recognized toxic dusts having harmful effects on lung tissues. Local exhaust ventilation may be necessary if op erations require extended exposure. For ex posures of short duration a dust type respi rator will provide the needed protection. Fiber glass tends to fragment. into small spicules; these may be caught in the ridges and folds of the skin. If they work their way into the skin they produce severe itch ing and sometimes foreign body reactions. Secondary infections may result from rub bing or scratching the affected area. The irritating and toxic effects of the resin and hardener should be explained to the employee. The necessity of keeping the hardener and uncurcd resin from the skin must be stressed. Handling procedures should be established and demonstrated showing how direct con tact can be avoided. Employees should be cautioned to avoid careless handling that will result in the con tamination of tools, fixtures, equipment, and work surfaces by hardeners or uncured resins. Personal protective equipment such as pro tective creams, rubber finger cots, rubber or cloth gloves, sleeves, aprons, face shields, safety glasses, etc., must be worn and kept in good condition. Grinding, filing, sanding, drilling, and sim ilar operations on resins using these fillers can also produce dusts that can cause me chanical skin iiritation. Washing the hands Good personal cleanliness is the best pre ventative measure for eliminating skin irri tation. The hands should be washed with mild soap before and after work and before 13 J966 National Safety Congress going to tltc toilet. If hardening or liquid ing work provide some degree of protection resin should contact the skin it should be wiped off and the affected area washed with soap and water immediately. The use of solvents should be reduced to against skin irritation. They leave an oily surface to which the resin will not firmly adhere and facilitate removal when washing with soap and water. the absolute minimum. Suitable rubber gloves Plastic coated fabric and disposable paper should be worn for all cleaning work in sleeves have been found to give good amt which solvents arc used. The wearing of protection against minor splashes and spills. rublwir gloves docs not obviate the need for absolute cleanliness. Contaminated solvent should be disposed of at once in a suitable safety container. Contaminated solvent must not be used to clean tools or equipment. Employees should be warned against touch ing their face or other skin areas with hands or gloves which may be contaminated. For light exposures such as potting or cementing of small electrical components where finger dexterity is essential, rubber finger cots or tight fitting fabric gloves may be adequate if reasonable skill and care is used. Fabric gloves should be removed and discarded just as soon as there is visual con tamination of their outer surface. After re Smoking or eating on the job should not moving the gloves, the employee should wash lie permitted, to eliminate the possibility of his hands and arms, re-apply protective contaminating the face and lips with irri cream, and put on new gloves before re tants. suming work. Housekeeping. Meticulous housekeeping standards should lie established and enforced. Dench tops, work surfaces and, in some instances, certain floor areas should be cov ered with disposable paper, changed at least each shift of operation. An adequate supply of paper towels should be available so that small splashes or drips of hardener or uncurcd resin can be wiped up immediately. These should be disposed of in a special closed container specifically provided for this purpose. Similarly, paper cups used for mixing or holding resin should be disposed of as soon as empty to prevent contamination of the work area. Protective Equipment and Clothing. Hand mixing and dispensing of resins usually require the wearing of rubber gloves. Particular care must be taken in putting on and taking off gloves and sleeves to assure the irritant materia] is not transferred to their inner surface where it will be in direct contact with the skin. Coaled fabric or disposable paper aprons arc generally provided, not only for body protection against occasional minor splashes or spills but also to prevent permanent dam age to the employee's personal work clothing. For operations such as laminating, casting, and surface coating where the nature of the work is such that an employee cannot avoid body contact with the uncurcd resin, suit able outer work garments arc generally pro vided and maintained by the employer. Personal protective equipment items and clothing must never be considered an ade quate substitute for good engineering, good housekeeping, and a careful, informed work er. However, if used intelligently and main tained in good condition, personal protective equipment can be very effective in minimiz ing exposure to irritants and toxic vapors. The personal protective equipment needed for safe operation will vary widely depend ing on the process and exposure. The need for such equipment should be determined by a careful study of the operation as well as a review of injury experience data. Lanolin and silicon base protective creams applied to the hands and arms before start When a large volume of epoxy must be handled in poorly ventilated or confined areas, a chemical type respirator or air supplied breathing apparatus may be required to pro tect the worker from the inhalation of hazardous vapors. Face and eye protection in the form of face shields or safety glasses may be re quired for compounding, mixing, and dis pensing operations where pressure systems are used or where there is a splashing haz ard. Hardeners and uncurcd resins are ex tremely damaging to the eye. If the eye is affected, it should be flushed promptly with plenty of water for at least IS minutes and medical attention obtained for it at once. 14 Labor Sessions Job Placement and Medical Service. . Health Hasards. Employees should be screened before they are placed on epoxy resin work to exclude those who arc 'known to lwvc sensitivity or allergy to irritants as well as those who are prone to acne or eczema. Whenever dermatitis develops due to epoxy resin exposure, the employee should be sent immediately to the nurse or plant physician with a note to|jndicatc there has been ex posure to epoxy resin. The decision regard ing whether the employee should be placed on temporary or permanent restriction away from epoxy should be left to the physician. To summarise, basic resins, reactive cur ing agents, diluents, and modifiers are mild to strong summary skin irritants. Some have sensitizing properties. Volatile materials given off during com pounding, handling, and curing operations ir ritate the eyes, nasal passage and lungs, if excessive.' The extent of the health liazard depends on several factors: relative toxicity of the material, how it is to be used, how the worker is exposed and vapor concentration. Toxicity refers to the harmful systemic ef fects resulting from the inhalation of vapors or from absorption through the skin. These include effects on the upper respiratory pas sages, lungs, and the nervous and digestive systems. All organic solvents are potentially in jurious to the health of workers unless used with proper and adequate controls. `Threshhold limit values" recommended by die American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists arc the generally ac cepted guide to toxicity. The threshhold limit value for a particular solvent indicates the maximum vapor in air concentration to which most workers can be repeatedly ex posed day after day widiout ill effects. Certain fillers used in epoxy mixers are skin irritants and may have harmful effects on the lungs if the exposure is excessive. Experience has shown that the incidence of dermatitis and systematic injury can be satisfactorily controlled through (1) good engineering, (2) education of the supervisor and worker, (3) good housekeeping, (4) protective equipment and clothing, and (5) job placement and medical service. Hasards Associated With the Use of Organic Solvents. Twenty-five years ago there were only a few dozen organic solvents commonly used in industry. Today, hundreds of different solvents and solvent blends arc in use not only in indus trial plants but in commercial establishments, laboratories, offices, and the home. Typical applications include degreasing metal parts; extraction of fats, oils, and waxes; dry cleaning; formulation of paints, varnishes, and lacquers; paint removers; adhesives, mid manufacture of synthetic fabrics, insecti cides and cosmetics. The use of organic solvents presents three potential hazards: . 1) Health 2) Skin Irritation (Dermatitis) 3) Fire and Explosion Following are threshhold limits for some commonly used solvents: Solvent Parts Per Million Acetone-Ethyl alcohol Petroleum naphtha-Stoddard Solvent Methyl chloroform . Coal tar naphtha-Methyl alcohol-Totucnc Trichlorethylcnc-Pcrchlorclhyl- cne-Turpcntinc Carbon disulfide Carbon tetrachloride 1000 500 350 200 100 20 10 Since threshhold limit values may be based on various effects including discom fort, respiratory irritation, narcosis, as well as acute poisoning, they should not be used for a direct comparison of toxicity. Short exposure to some solvent vapors can produce eye and respiratory irritation, drow siness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and lack, of muscular coordination, but cause no last ing and harmful systemic effects. Others, such as carbon tetrachloride and benzol, may seriously affect or damage the blood, lungs, liver, kidneys, and gastro-intestinal tract and may cause permanent damage. Acute solvent poisoning results from breathing high concentrations of solvent va pors for a short period of time. Such exposures may result from accidental spil 1S 1966 National Safety Congress lage, overflow of tanks, or cleaning opera tions in confined, poorly ventilated areas of tanks. Chronic poisoning results from repeated daily exposure over an extended period. To evaluate the health hazard from solvent exposure one must know: composition and toxicity of the solvent, vapor concentration in the work area, and duration of employee exposure. Instruments and analytical methods arc available for sampling the air and determin ing the vapor concentration. Sudi determina tions can best be made by an industrial hygienist or a qualified chemist. The results of such determinations can be compared with the recommended thrcshhold limit values for the solvent in question. If the vapor concentration in the work area exceeds the recommended value corrective action is indicated. Corrective action necessary to assure safe operation might include: a change to a sol vent of lower toxicity, a suitable enclosure and local exhaust, better general room venti lation, or providing employee with approved respirator or air-supplied mask. mp shaped parts or parts with blind holes, tightly packed parts which prevent good drainage arc a few of the conditions which can liberate harmful solvent vapor concen trations in the work area. It is essential that (he parts be dry when they come out of the degreasers. Trichlorcthylenc vapors in the presence of an open flame break down into very toxic vapors. Welding and similar torch opera tions should not be performed in close prox imity to vapor degreasers. Under no circumstances should an em ployee be allowed to enter a degreaser that has not been drained, cooled, sludge removed, and then aerated. An employee working in side such a degreaser should always be under constant observation by another person on tire outside. The use of trichlorclliylcnc for removing oils or waxes from floors, benches, etc, should not be condoned. Methyl chloroform, with a thrcshhold limit of 300 parts per million, can generally be used safely for occasional and intermittent small cleaning operations provided the work is done in well ventilated areas. The chlorinated solvents -- methyl chloro form, trichlorcthylenc, pcrchlorclhylcnc and carbon tetrachloride--because of their non flammable and high solvent properties, have been used for some time in industry. It is obvious that carbon tetrachloride, be cause of its very low (10 parts per million) thrcshhold limit value and accumulative harmful effects on the body, should only be used with adequate exhaust ventilation and carefully controlled handling procedures. Trichlorcthylenc, with a thrcshhold limit of 100 parts per million, is being used ex tensively in vapor degreasers for cleaning metal parts. These machines, if properly designed, operated, and maintained, do an excellent job with little solvent vapor hazard. However, if improperly operated and main tained they can quickly release large amounts of trichlorcthylenc vapors in the work area and present a serious health hazard. The vapors have a narcotic effect similar to chloroform and in high concentrations can cause serious injury and death. Leaking pumps or valves, failure of the water supply to the cooling coils, overload ing, or too fast a cleaning cycle, cleaning Repeated or prolonged exposure may re sult in mild irritation from its defatting action on the skin. Solvent resistant gloves should be provided. Dermatitis. ' Solvents cause contact dermatitis because they dissolve and remove the natural oils and fat needed to keep the outer layer of skin soft, flexible, and healthy. With continued exposure to fat solvents, the skin becomes dry and scaly. Cracks and fissures develop which allow the solvent to penetrate and irritate the sensitive underlying tissue. Fire and Explosion Hazards. Many solvents present a fire and explosion hazard. In dealing with this hazard one must keep in mind that it is the solvent vapor-air mixture that burns, not the liquid solvent I Flash Point. The relative fire hazard rating of a solvent is based on the solvent's flash Point. The flash point is the lowest temperature at which vapor is given off in sufficient quan tities to mix with air and catch fire from a 16 Labor Sessions source of ignition. The lower the flash the chemical or trade name of the solvent point, the greater the fire hazard. but also the nature of the health hazard, We arc concerned particularly with the precautions to be observed, and, in the ease hazards of solvents having flash points under of highly poisonous or toxic materials, first 140 F. Those with flash points at or below . aid and emergency treatment. 100* F arc rated extremely flammable be cause flammable vapor-air mixtures can be present at most room temperatures. Typical arc acetone, alcohol, petroleum naphtha, aw| turpentine. Solvents with flash points above 100F but below 140'F carry a flammable rating but do not form flammable vapor-air mix tures at ordinary room temperatures. They do form flammable vapor-air mixtures when heated to over 100*F. Kerosene, petroleum spirits, and Stoddard solvent fall in this group. Explosive Limits. Substitution of solvents with lower toxicity for a more hazardous one is always a possi bility. Enclosure of the process or equipment is one of the most effective means of minimiz ing the escape of solvent vapors into the workroom. When highly flammable or toxic solvents arc involved, local exhaust ventila tion may be required. Loral exhaust ventilation designed to re move solvent vapors at their source can be used to advantage for many operations as less exhaust capacity is required and result iti low air liandling and heating costs. When combustible vapor is mixed with air in proper proportions, ignition will cause an explosion. General room ventilation may be sufficient when comparatively small amounts of the less toxic solvents are vaporized. In general, For each flammable liquid there is both a minimum and maximum vapor in air con centration which propagate a flame and cause an explosion on contact with a source of ignition. The minimum concentration is ventilation sufficient to keep the vapor con centrations below the hazardous health level will automatically assure that the vapor con centration will be below the flammable or explosive limit. known as the lower flammable or explosive limit and the maximum, the upper explosive limit. The upper and lower explosive limits for most solvents and solvent mixtures can be obtained from the supplier or insurance underwriters. Test instruments known as "flammable vapor indicators" or cxplosimctcrs arc avail able for checking vapor-air concentrations at the work place. These instruments arc direct reading and the values contained arc expressed as a percentage of the lower or upper flammable or explosive limit. Dermatitis Control Measures. Personal protective equipment should be provided wherever it is impracticable to control exposure by other means. Goggles, face shields, respirators, solvent resistant gloves, sleeves, aprons, special shoes or cloth ing may provide the needed protection de pending upon the exposure. Set up operations involving solvents so as to minimize employee contact with liquid solvent and vapors. Protective creams arc of value in pre Toxicity Control Measures. Education is one of the most important aspects of solvent exposure control. Su venting solvents from removing natural oils of the skin. The protective cream selected should be resistant to the solvent being used. pervisors must know the composition of the Employees should be cautioned against solvent, its toxicity, and precautions which . washing their hands and arms in solvents. must be taken tO'Use it safely; this informa Waterless hand cleaners arc generally quite tion must be passed on to the worker. effective in removing materials on which Toxicity data can be obtained from sup soap and water is ineffective. pliers as well as from data sheets issued by the National Safety Council. Proper labeling of all containers to meet Federal, state, and local requirements is es sential. The label should include not only Fire and Explosion Control Measures. All solvent containers should be labeled to show contents, hazards, and precautions to be observed. Federal, state, and local label ing laws should be observed. 17 1966 National Safety Congress Highly flammable solvents should lie trans Potential health, dermatitis, and fire and ported and used in approved safety contain explosion hazards can be controlled through: ers equipped with flash-back arrestors. Dip and wash tanks should be equipped with lire screens or fusible link covers. Supply tanks and portable containers should be electrically connected and effectively grounded during filling operations. Use pumping systems rather than gravity flow 1. Educating supervisors and workers so that they know the hazards associated with the handling and use of solvents, anti the importance of following safe use procedures. 2. Providing safe equipment and processes for transferring solvents. Arrange for safe and approved disposal of with necessary enclosures and exhaust ventilation to assure safe operation. waste solvent Solvents must not be dumped in to sewer or drainage systems; never in scrap or rubbish containers. 3. Supplying the worker with any needed personal protective equipment or cloth ing to protect him from exposure to All sources of ignition should be elimi toxic vapors and minimize contact with nated from. areas where flammablcs arc . the liquid solutions. ' stored or used. This should include open flames, static electricity, excessive heat, and sparks from electrical devices. Good housekeeping is essential where sol vents arc stored, handled, and used. Spills should be cleaned up promptly by workers REFERENCES For further information of the properties of solvents, health and fire hazards, evalua tion and control of exposures: wearing necessary personal protective equip Handbook of Organic Industrial Solvents, ment Solvent soaked rags or absorbent Technical Guide No. 6, National Association should be placed in closed metal containers of Mutual Casualty Companies, 20 N. and removed daily from the plant Wackcr Drive, Oiicago, III. To summarize, the use of organic solvents present three potential hazards: health, skin irritation (dermatitis), and fire and ex plosion. r Acute or chronic systemic poisoning may result from breathing excessive vapors or from absorption through the skin. Solvents cause contact dermatitis because they remove the natural oils from the skin and cause chemical irritation of the sensitive underlying tissues. , Flammable solvents present a potential fire and explosion hazard when used in close proximity to sources of ignition. Hazardous Chemicals Data NFPA No. 49M, National Fire Protection Association, 6 Battcrymarch, Boston, Mass. Threshold Limit Values for 1966, Ameri can Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1014 Broadway, Cincinnati, O. National Safety Council Data Sheets, Na tional Safety Council, 425 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 111. Flammable Liquid Trade Name Index, NFPA 325A; National Fire Protection As sociation, 60 Battcrymarch Street, Boston, Mass. -- ' 1966 National Safely Congress self and Iiis fellows, wlio uses liis his knowl edge, tools, and safely equipment to the best of his ability. It may be however, that we arc attacking symptoms rather than causes. We have, as 1 have said, begun to explore the nature and true cause of industrial accidents since it is apparent that legislation, regulations, and good intentions do not in themselves solve the dilemma of rising accidents. They do, however, provide us with a legal, and we hope precise, framework to operate within. With our study, we hope not only to define the industrial accident and the role of the chief participants, but to be able in some measure to anticipate the future and legislate, not only for this period, but in anticipation of the developments of the new industrial climate. I might say that we, as every prevention body, is, arc working to wards tile day when we can no longer be employed. We arc assured by many economic planners that the advent of sophisticated technology (automation, if you will), will relegate the industrial workers to pushing buttons and performing monitoring func tions for three hours a day. Our chief aim at the moment is to keep workers alive and kicking until that day arrives. However, I might note that since less than two per cent of our industry is fully automated, I feel no immediate need for a job re-training course. Our department has continuat exchanges of ideas, statistics and operation descrip tions with our other provinces and other countries. We have just recently completed the first of two ministers' safety conferences where representatives of trade ruiions man agement, and government have coinc to gether to re-examine ideas generated by in dividual research. We have, as well, been host and key participant at the recent Inter national Labour Organization Manpower Conference, which discussed in some detail the international aspects of safety'education and picvqptivc techniques. All of us then--government, management, and employees--share the responsibility for industrial safety. As government becomes more adept at defining it legislatively and management more adept in recognizing it as a method of enhancing the balance sheet and employees learn to use the safety me chanisms provided for their own protection, we may yet find formulas that work better than our current situation-by-situation ap proach. Frankly, I cannot give you omni scient answers, but 1 know that if we, to gether, carefully select our questions and behave honestly and with proper concern in the area of our responsibilities, we will arrive at solutions that lessen and may eventually stop industrial accident and death. DISCUSSION PERIOD -- WHAT'S BUGGING YOU? Delegates who attended the labor sessions were asked to submit written questions con cerning safety problems within their areas of operation, or questions that were gen erated by the safely sessions that they at tended during the Congress week. These written questions were reviewed and an swered by a panel of safety experts. Presiding Officer: John R. KumpcI, Safety and Compensation Representative, United Rubber Workers, Akron, Ohio. Moderator: Jacob Gold, Safety Engineer, Bureau of Labor Standards, U.S. Depart ment of Labor, Washington, D. C. Panel Members: Alan F. Burch, Director of Safety, International Union of Operating Engineers, Washington, D. C.; John L. Dowling, Director, Safety and Health Divi sion, United Steel Workers of America (Canada), Toronto, Canada; Charles T. Greene, Director, Industrial Safety, District of Columbia Minimum Wage and Industrial Safety Board, Washington, D. C.; Floyd Van Alta, Ph.D., Deputy Director,-Office of Occupational Safety, Bureau of Labor Stand ards, U.S. Department of Labor, Washing ton, D. C.; Victor E. Whitchcnisc, Safety Director, International Brotherhood of Elec trical Workers, Washington, D. C. Labor Sessions Moderator: Arc penalties provided for violation ol safety codes in llic various juris dictions actually sufficient to act ns a deter rent to the violation of codes? Mr. Greene: I would say no; they arc not sufficient The amount a company has to pay for a safety code violation is not enough to act as a deterrent. However, publicity is more of a deterrent than any fine that could be imposed. Of course, the only way to have adequate publicity is to impose a fine that is out of the ordinary. We had a contractor that was fined $300 for a violation, which was the maximum fine that could be imposed. Later, the con tractor indicated that the fine was nothing compared to the adverse publicity from the newspapers, and tliat he would have much rather paid a $3,000 fine than experience the publicity. ' Moderator: In the province of Ontario, where the circumstances constitute an of fense against the Industrial Safety Act and this offense occurs consistently, every per son or employer who fails to comply with the provisions of the regulation, or tfic di rections of an inspector, or the conditions of an approval permit is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 for each day of the violation or to imprisonment for not more than 12 months for each day of in fraction. Dr. Van Alla: In school I was taught that it is not the nature of the penalty but the certainty that tire penally will be im posed that encourages compliance. Our main problem in this country is not the penalty but the fact that most of the people who arc violating regulations will not be penal ized regardless of what the law says. This is probably because we do not have enough inspectors to cover the areas. Moderator: There are far loo many acci dents involving high voltages which cause burns, electrocutions, and falls from high places. These accidents occur to electricians, linemen, and other craftsmen above the age of 60 who do hazardous work. Few of these old timers will admit the weakening of their grip, failing eyesight, weak heart conditions, or a tendency to experience dizziness. I don't believe that a compulsory medical ex amination is the answer, but there must be some solution. Perhaps workers over 60 should be prohibited from working in high places and assigned to other challenging work. Mr. IVhitrliouse: A man 60 years old is not really the criterion. We in the Inter national Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have many examples of men 25 to 30 years of age who have a heart condition, arc epileptic, or suffer some other problem. It is true that some of the IBEW locals have agreements with the contracted company which require a man of 50 and over who shows evidence of gaining weight or suf fering from some health problem be trans ferred to a less hazardous' job. On the matter of physical examinations, the men within the local union can schedule periodi cal examinations with their own personal physicians. Mr. Burch: I am opposed to pre-employ ment physical examinations as a condition of employment, but I am not against physical examinations. I think the point in this question is an important one and that is that we must be our brother's keeper. Most unions have negotiated health and welfare plans, and these should include at least an nual physical examinations. Of course, there is nothing stopping an individual from seek ing his own personal doctor periodically; in fact he will probably discuss his job more freely and the type of work that he per forms with his doctor. After the personal doctor advises the individual about his physi cal ability in relation to' performing his job, it is up to the worker to decide whether he will continue or not. In oilier words, we should inform ourselves about our own physi cal condition and how it applies to our job. Mr. Greene: In this case, there is a ques tion of one person being a hazard to other persons on the job. I know of two or three instances where physical condition of a worker caused injuries to others. In another instance, a chronic drunk was directly re sponsible for the severe injury of three other persons. Both management and labor knew ol this man's illness, but neither related it to his responsible job. I am in agreement that compulsory examinations arc not the answer, but there is a joint labor-manage ment responsibility to get together and decide when a person may be a hazard to other workers because of his health. Moderator: Do you think that unions and management should work together in writing or changing a safety rule book? 39 1966 National Safety Congress Mr. IVhilchousc: For years I lave been ing extremely well and practically every one preaching for joint lalior-managcmcnt safety that I know of has worked very successfully. committees to <lo this very tiling. They should sit down and work out the procedures that arc to be followed so that it becomes the responsibility of both labor and man agement to see that they arc enforced. Moderator: Do you think safety programs should be in the labor contract? Dr. Dan Alta: Certainly I A contract has to do with conditions of employment, and one of the major conditions of employment In the past two years the IBEW and is your continued life. It seems to me that various managements have established over labor groups, in general, have been most 800 joint labor-management safety commit remiss in that conditions of employment tees. I am very strongly in favor of these have not been included under safety. How committees establishing ground rules. This ever, this is certainly no excuse for this to is a definite advantage for management. We continue. have had eases in some of our locals where the union member was. brought before the executive board and informed that the union agreed to these rules and regulations .and he, as a member of the union, must comply. Mr. Greene: The contractors in the Dis trict of Columbia must comply with the regulations of our department.. One of the problems with safety by reference is that most of the workers, and some of the man Mr. Dowling: We deal with tire Ontario Federation of Labor and favor its support of joint labor-management methods of rule and regulation writing, but I would like to add that once these rules and regulations arc adopted they should be put into the working man's language. They should lie de agement, do not have any idea of what these regulations arc. They don't understand them. If safety is in the contract, the work ers ought to have enough information so that they can know whether the regulations arc iieing complied with or not. If they arc not, the workers can act accordingly. veloped in such a way that the working If their wages under the contract were man knows what they arc and lie under not being paid, they would do something stands them clearly. In Canada, we print about it immediately. I believe that a union these rules and regulations in French for should act immediately if there is a hazard our French workers. The union also has an ous situation that needs correcting in accord obligation to see that these rules arc ex-, ance with accepted codes and regulations. plained. However, if people do.not understand the Moderator: A number of years ago Re public Steel Coriioration wanted to commu nicate to all of its employees a belter un derstanding of the economic problems of the company and how they affect the work ers. They went to Brookings Institute for advice, then developed a play with 13 char acters such as a farmer, business man, stock holder, manager, etc. The employees were assigned various parts and participated in the play at various locations all over the country. The principle idea was that par regulations they do .not know when the regulations arc violated. . The answer, of course, is training. Without training, the regulations will be unimplcmentcd. Dr. Van Alta: I have read a significant amount of contracts which were signed by people who thought they had negotiated safety into the contract. The standard phrase is "the company will continue to provide safe and healthful places in which to work." This is really just saying that the com|iany will continue its existing bad practices. That is not negotiating safety. It is as worthless as ticipation would improve understanding and a contract that says the company will con respect. tinue to pay wages. The company paid thousands of dollars for that idea, and it is {believed that the same results can lie obtained if the union is allowed to participate in developing safety rules. An example of such cooperation is the Carborundum Company's joint safety work with the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers Union. This relationship is work There is meaningful language which can be negotiated into union contracts and nearly all of the international unions can provide this type of language. Mr. {lurch: If the union has already sat down with management and worked out acceptable safety rules, the contract can con tain meaningful language that is also simple. 40 Labor Sessions For example, "both sides agree to adhere, intake so placed that the exhaust fumes of at all times, to the safety rules agreed upon the car immediately ahead arc taken into jointly." This keeps unnecessary words out the passenger compartment of the cab. This of the contract and has the advantage tliat could constitute a serious health hazard and everybody knows what is being referred to. we arc wondering what the National Safety It also skirts the situation where the con Council can do about this situation. tract is filled with language aimed at every body's particular grievance. The important thing is to get together and work out the rules and regulations by which you arc going to live and then firm them up in a binding agreement so that everybody knows where they stand. Dr. Van Atla: Actually the Council can not do anything about this sort of condition except publicize the hazard. It surprised me when I found that this cab company is still taking their fresh air into the passenger compartment through duds that, arc located down low in back of the rediator. This is Actually the original question -- should especially surprising when you realize that safety be negotiated into a union contract? all other automobile manufacturers slopped -- has been answered hy the National Labor this practice 6 or 7 years ago because of Relations' Board. Not too long ago, there the number of deaths from carbon monoxide. was a decision which was upheld after it was I can't think of any conceivable excuse for appealed, and it will probably be a landmark this type of neglect in design which can cause ease in labor relations. The final ruling was serious injury. I would think that unfavor that safety was a mandatory subject of col able publicity and perhaps one or two dam lective bargaining. age suits against the company for negligent Moderator: To what extent is voltage over 5,000 volts being worked on out of aerial baskets or insulated platforms with rubber design might have a most salubrious effect. These steps can be taken by- the union and should be. gloves and sleeves? Mr. Whitehousc: I would like to highlight two things. One, safety standards for the electrical industry recommend that any volt age over 5,000 be either de-energized, or grounded, or worked by hot stick. Two, aerial baskets arc fundamentally a good tool (Comment from the floor, by Joseph L. Algina, Safety Director, Seafarers Inter national Union)--The local union that is involved with this cab company is meeting tonight and I will be present. I will recom mend that this union take direct action to see that the condition is eliminated. because they place a man in a good position. Moderator: How arc safety and health' However, these baskets should not be con problems handled under Canadian laws? sidered as an insulating or isolating device. The same rules apply when working voltages from a basket as when working from a pole. There has been a concerted effort on the part of management of many utility com panies to go to 13,200 volts (and one wants to go up to 15,000 volts as a limit. A man can use rubber insulation for up to 20,000 volts; however, if his nose is. still exposed, that is where lie will make contact. Mr. Dowling: We have an arrangement with the Director and Chief Inspector, In dustrial Safety Branch, Ontario Department of Labour, Toronto, whereby I meet in his office to discuss any problem that involves steel workcrs._If there is a violation of the Industrial Safely Act, the initial step rests with the official of the local union involved. The local should extend every effort to get the violation corrected. However, if no cor Edison Electric Institute made an analysis rective measures arc taken the report is of accidents over the years and practically sent to my office. I forward it to the In all of the contacts over 5,000 volts arc not dustrial Safety Branch and an inspector is hand contacts. So, the rubber gloves are sent to the plant to check into the condition. not enough, and it's not reasonable to expect Subsequently, we get a report from the Di a man to work completely enclosed in rubber. rector of the Industrial Safely Branch indi In the opinion of our organization, 5,000 cating whether the complaint was upheld or volts is the limit for working energized lines rejected. except iiia hot stick. The foundry section of our union has a Moderator: A major Chicago cab com-' somewhat more refined method of liaison. pany has vehicles wliich have the fresh air The government inspector for foundries J966 National Safely Congress must contact tlic local union officials before lie visits a plant and must take tlic local's appointed representative with him during his tour of the plant In addition, the factory inspectors in the Province of Ontario carry a warrant with them and, if they arc opposed by tlic em ployer, the inspector uses the telephone to call the local magistrate. A policeman is dispatched to tlic plant to serve the warrant on the person obstructing the inspection and has the person removed from the premises until the inspection is completed. Moderator: Is there a standard clearing house that rccords-a complete list of radia tion exposures to workers handling radio active materials? Dr. Van Alla: Not in the United States, unfortunately. There was a bill introduced in tlic last Congress, but Congress did not act on it. We have high hopes that it will be handled during the next Congress, al though we understand that there is consid erable opposition to this bill from manage ment sources. Moderator: How can we get management to correct unsafe conditions promptly? ' Mr. Dowling: I can only give you an il lustration of what happened in the city of Hamilton, Ontario. I was conducting semi nars in Hamilton when one of the crane operators in the plant called me .at my home. He informed me that the wheels on the crane had become so worn that the electric shoes that pick up the electricity had dropped to where they were striking stud bolts, caus ing them to fall to the floor below. I called the shop foreman and he admitted that the condition was unsafe. to vhrions people but he doesn't contact us until the condition gets serious. Mr. Gold: I think it must be apparent that the answer to this question depends in a large measure on lire geographic area in which tlic plant is located. Some states Jjavc fine laws which will take care of these things if you push them. However, other slates arc quite lax and backward. Mr. Kurnpel: If you believe you arc work ing in a hazardous situation and feel morally certain that you arc right in your belief, then you should refuse to work on such operations until they can be examined by proper and qualified authorities to determine if the conditions need correcting. Mr. Burch: I endorse what John says, but I would like to add that union strength varies geographically. A lot will depend upon the knowledge and guts of the local business agents. Moderator: What arc the effects of as bestos dust ? Dr. Van Alta: Breathing excessive amounts of asbestos dust over a period of 25 to 35 years, depending upon the amount and the person, will result in shortness of breath, circulatory and heart problems, and . the person will probably die of heart failure. In addition, you will probably get no as sistance from workmen's compensation, if you arc under most jurisdictions. That is the classical picture of asbestosis. But, in the last few years, we arc discovering that asbestos is a rather prolific producer of a variety of cancers of tlic lung and sur rounding tissues. Asbestos is a skinny little crystal, like a needle, and it works into the tissues and promotes cancers. I then phoned the Director of the Ontario Industrial Safety Branch and he sent an inspector within 35 minutes. The inspector was in the plant for 10 minutes. He shut down the. entire plant. Management was then obligated to bring in a contractor to replace the crane wheels. The plant was shut down for two shifts. Mr. Greene: We have a way of getting things done also; however, it is sometimes rather late. When we receive a complaint we send an inspector to the location. Usually the condition existed for some time before we receive the complaint. It has bothered the worker, and he has probably complained One variety is appearing in rather sub stantial numbers among asbestos workers-- it lias always been there, but now it is be ginning to be diagnosed. This is a subject about which we don't know nearly as much as we thought we did 20 years ago. I might say that excessive amounts of asbestos dust is only enough to constitute a slight haze in the air. The situations in which asbestos is used are highly deserving of competent professional assessment Moderator: How can unions get such professional assessment in eases where they feel the plant hygienist or medical per sonnel are not competent? 42 Labor Sessions Dr. Van Alla: There arc several highly qualified physicians in (he country who will act as consultants. Also, some slate labor departments have pcrsoifttcl who can moni tor asbestos operations and render opinions. (Comment from the floor)--Dr. Van Atta, you mentioned you can't get compensation for asbestos disabilities in most jurisdictions. The law has changed in most jurisdic tions in the country during the last few years so that you may be able to sue the construction company, the architects,'and en gineers who built the plant without pfoper ventilation. This can be considered for full recovery for the wrongful death of a work er or for injuries. This is a very important new area of protection for workers, not only to get damages where there has been disability but to prevent the continuation of the condition in the future. Moderator: What services or aid should be given or offered to local unions from the safety staff of an international union? Mr. Durch: The safety director should develop training programs, or at least out lines, lor use by local union safety personnel. He should supply materials (posters, decals, technical data, etc.) and act as a research consultant in safety and health matters. He should answer questions received via letter or telephone. He should gather statistics, which requires the cooperation of local unions. The international union safety director should represent his union members and the trade union movement as a whole, on the various committees that write standards and codes which will effect tire work of the union's members. The United States of America Standards Institute, flic Society of Automotive Engineers, and the Society of Mechanical Engineers are examples of or ganizations that have these types of com mittees. Previously, participation by union rep resentatives has been minimal and we arc doing our best to change this situation. This is one of the most important activities that safety personnel of international labor or ganizations can undertake. There are plenty of openings but labor hasn't sought rep resentation. When labor docs become a part of these committees, it has been my ex perience that labor representatives arc wel come and oiler valuable contributions. Now we come to the really important role of the international union safety depart ment and that is top management support. This is very important; however, it is also essential that the man on the job support the safety activities. Too many local unions still offer only lip service to accident pre vention. Until local union leadership pushes accident prevention, tire man on the job will continue to be unconcerned. Mr. Whitchonse: Let us not overlook the fact that many international labor organiza tions do not have a safety dircctoror .safety department. For them, the first thing they can do is establish such a department and staff. (Comment from the floor, by Joseph Leo nard)--The Longshoremen's union installed accident prevention activities in the Interna tional Union office and made it mandatory that each local should have a safety pro gram. That was four years ago. To this day, I have to carry a bat when I visit the various locals in order to get Ihrfsc fellows moving. 1 do not believe that the International Union office can do much until the local unions arc willing to accept it and support it. In addition, flic rank and file members must provide support to their focal union officers. Mr. Kumt'cl: Our International Union has conducted many safety and compensation clinics throughout the United Slates and Canada over the past 23 years. We have fairly good success in attracting local union people to attend these clinics for three or four days at a time. Moderator: Does the District of Columbia have the right to make it's own safety codes through it's appointed commissioners, or art the safety rules-of the District enacted by the Congress of the United States? Mr. Greene: Tire District, through it's Minimum Wage and Industrial Safety Board, has the right to make safety codes. They handle all of the investigations and conduct the hearings necessary to develop these codes. This privilege comes from Con gressional legislation. Moderator: How do we sell safety to our union members? Mr. Gold: 1 believe that you must estab lish, within your members, a desire. You have to give them a chance to participate in flic problems. Let them assist with first aid training and community action. The 43 1966 National Safety Congress worker must understand how accident pre do about industrial hygiene problems, I be vention will benefit him, jicrsonally. You lieve that if the slate lalwr department or cannot sell just once in a while. Ads for other concerned organizations cannot provide new automobiles do not occur once in a industrial hygiene personnel to study situa while. They arc published continuously. The tions believed to be hazardous by the union, same continuing sales pitch is necessary to then the union should have the opportunity keep a union safety program rolling. You to hire it's own consulting industrial hygien have to work at it. ist to study the situation and give an un (Comment from Bob Wilkins)--I feel certain that the only way accident prevention can be effectively sold to union members and their families is through effective de biased report. This should satisfy the de sires of the union membership and should assist in avoiding hazardous situations which may be overlooked by management. monstrations. Demonstrative presentations .(Comment from the floor by Mr. Philo) stick in a persons mind much longer and arc --If you don't mind, 1 would like to say more effective in changing habits and alti something in general nliout a problem we, tudes. Filins arc one method of demonstrat as lawyers, have in representing injured ing what can be done to avoid accidents or people. I have been interested in one very reduce hazards. Of course, this requires important area of safety and I refer to more time in preparing safely presentations suits against manufacturers of machinery or and oftentimes costs money. safely equipment that result in an injury I am sure lint all of you will agree that Jake Gold docs an outstanding job of teach ing accident prevention to |>co|>!c from all to a worker. Our position is not aided by the existence of weak standards and weak positions by local and international unions. walks of life and you will notice that he In particular, I have during the past year uses demonstrations wherever possible. presented eases of .17 workers' who have With reference to die continuing complaint lost hands in power presses. I have just that management cannot get the cooperation of the union or the men when they wish spent some lime in the Power Press and Forging Section sessions, listening to speak to initiate a certain type of accident pre vention program, the primary reason for this ers on points of operation guarding. It is my opinion that about 50,000 presses in the difficulty is the fact that management feels that the safety program is not only their United States arc guarded by a trap instead of a safety device. These arc the pull-back responsibility, but that it is their privilege ' guards. I think it is predictable that a work to develop and enforce it as they sec fit. er who operates a press equipped with these pull-back devices for 30 years is bound to These types of procedures often run into lose a hand. I represent some clients who difficulty because most people resist some have lost both hands. thing that is forced upon them. However, most people arc willing to coo[ieratc with practically any project or program if they have some voice in the manner in which the project or program is developed. I don't believe that the National Safety Council is ever going to suggest that the pull-back devices are unsafe. This is prob ably because the Power Press and Forgings Section basically represents industry and As an example, if management wants to management. However, the unions can and initiate a safety-spectacle program, it is should do something about this situation. extremely helpful if they will ask the union They ought to get these devices banned in to appoint two or three representatives to sit with management and develop the pro gram which will later become mandatory. every state in the country. The pull-back devices violate the two principles of power press safety. First, every device or guard When tills cooperation is enjoyed from be ginning to end, the program wj)l always be a success because both parties feel that the program was developed properly, and both parties will cooperatively assist in see ing to it that the program is put into effect must have a fail safe mechanism; second, the worker's hands should never be placed between the dies when the machine is run ning. General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler will not use these pull-back devices on any of Regarding the question of what labor can their thousands of presses. They recognize 44 C. lutbor Sessions they arc a trap. It is Hie smaller shops which do not have effective accident preven tion engineering in the plant, where these devices exist. I recently talked to a corporate safely director who I thought, should know better. However, his company is being advertised as having pull-back type guards on |H>wcr presses in several of its plants. The cor porate safety director admitted this was true. He went on to say that this type of device was used in some plants because the local union insisted on the pull-back devices. I believe that the local union safely per sonnel were undoubtedly good, conscientious safety people but were not safety sophisti cated. This point of operation guarding is a complex problem. Dr. Vmi Alla: What Mr. Philo says is perfectly true. Pail safe design is partic ularly important when you're talking aliout power presses. It is true that there is no failure of a pull-back device which is a safe failure, l'lvcry conccivcablc failure is a hazardous failure. (Comment from the floor)--I disagree with the idea of including industrial hygiene services in a union contract. 1 am with the State Labor Department of Iowa and am director of the industrial inspectors. We have one of the finest industrial hygiene laboratories in the United States. What we really need is support from the unions at the state level when it conics to budget time. The Slate Bureau' of Liltor doesn't receive the support from the unions when it' comes time for requesting monies to provide ade quate factory inspection and industrial hy giene survey work. The Manufacturers As sociation arc there and they lobby against our budget continuously. Our Safety Com mission is currently operating on a budget of $16,000. We asked for $39,000. The point is that the state has the facilities in adequate equipment and laboratories. But we need more support from labor. 45