Document ZnGXX7g4bkzDpk3B01zVa2g38

FILE NAME: International Harvester (INTH) DATE: 1972 Mar23 DOC#: INTH006 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Memo - OSHA Target Health Hazard Program E M P L O Y E ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY 1972 Subject: OSHA Target Health Hazard Program During February, OSHA announced a new "Target Health Hazards" program to focus attention on five substances they believe constitute potentially serious hazards to health in the workplace The.five substances listed are carbon monoxide (CO), asbestos, crystalline silica, lead and its in organic compounds, and raw cotton dust. Threshold Limit Values (TLV's) have previously been established for all these materials and are listed in Subpart 6 1910.93 as air contaminants in the OSHA standards of May 29, 1971 (see. OSHA Standards Manufacturing & Engineering Release No. 1). OSHA inspection priorities are being altered to accommodate this new pro.gram so that Compliance Officers are now directed to give special atten tion to the five target health hazards. As a result, Compliance Officers and OSHA Industrial Hygienists will be on the alert during their inspec tions for possible employe exposures to these compounds. Carbon monoxide, crystalline silica, and lead or lead compounds can be 'found in IH manufacturing and engineering facilities in concentrations which could cause problems. Exposure to asbestos fibers and cotton dust is not considered a problem in our operations. We have presented below some of the primary considerations which must be kept in mind in dealing with each of these five compounds. Carbon Monoxide - ,, The TLV for carbon monoxide is 50 parts per million (0.005 percent by volume) based on a time weighted average exposure over an eight-hour Work period. It can be a problem where internal combustion engines are oper ated inside buildings or confined areas such as loading and unloading tractor trailers. CO occurs in foundries primarily in certain areas of cupolas, at pouring stands, and where castings are "hooked out." Heat treat operations, blast furnaces, and welding in very confined areas may be- other sources of CO. Crystalline Silica (Free silica) The TLV for dust containing crystalline silica (commonly referred to as free silica, quartz, or silicon dioxide) depends upon the amount of crystalline silica present in the dust. Exposures are evaluated by actual weighing of the respirable dust collected in the breathing zone of employes or by counting the number of particles of respirable size in the breathing - 2 - zone, in either case, the higher the percentage of crystalline silica present, the greater the hazard and the lower the Ti,V.,;>i._v V; .... : * -v ! The major exposure to crystalline silica occurs in foundry operations where fine particles of sand become airborne. Leakage from sand handling equipment, dust from clean-up operations, dust stirred up by fans at casting hook-outs, the use of compressed air for cleaning purposes, core knockouts, etc., are common sources of dust containing a fairly high per centage of crystalline silica* It is mandatory that all employes having potential exposure to crystalline silica be given an annual chest X-ray. Lead The TLV for lead and its inorganic compounds is 0.2 milligrams per cubic meter of air sampled, based on a time weighted average over an eight-hour work period. This target hazardous substance can appear in unexpected places. Consequently, Works Hazardous Materials Committees must be alert for new products or processes involving lead in some form. Potentially serious exposures to lead exist in the production and processing of leaded steel, and during the welding, torch cutting, or mechanical sanding of surfaces coated with paint that contains lead pigments. Arc welding on terne plate, lead pots in heat-treat operations, and lead pots for miscel laneous leading operations are other examples of possible sources of ex posure to lead. The industrial Hygiene Laboratory will continue the lead-in-urine sampling ; program for all painters as well as others that may be exposed to airborne lead fume or dust. We believe this program offers the best screening method available at this time for monitoring exposure to lead. Asbestos The TLV for asbestos at the present time is an emergency standard and states that there shall be no more than five asbestos fibers greater than five microns in length per cubic centimeter (cc) of air sampled. This has been criticized as being'too high, and NIOSH now recommends that the TLV should be no more than two asbestos fibers greater in length than five microns per cc of air sampled. We are aware of only one production operation that could be a problem. This involves the milling of brake lining at Memphis Works. The operation has excellent local exhaust ventilation, but if the job is not "farmed out" it will be necessary to take air samples to insure that the collection system is efficient. Any production operation that is capable of generating air borne asbestos dust, such as machining or grinding of brake linings, is suspect and must be checked. Nonproduction operations, such as the infrequent drilling, sawing, or rip ping out of asbestos insulating materials, must be done only with respira tory protection. A reusable or single use filter-type respirator approved under Schedule 21B, U.S. Bureau of Mines, must be used. Cotton Dust (Raw) The TLV for airborne raw cotton dust is 1.0 milligram per cubic meter of air sampled based on a time weighted average.. We think there is no exposure to cotton dust in our manufacturing operations. Evaluation of the exposure to CO, crystalline silica, and lead requires a survey of some duration, including air sampling and sample- analysis. If you think there may be exposure to any of the five target health hazard compounds in your operation which has not previously been studied by the Industrial Hygiene Section of the Employe Environmental Health and Safety Department, contact this department for assistance. The material presented in this letter should he reviewed with those members of your staff having responsibility for the various areas in volved. We suggest that the letter be filed in your O.S.H.A. Binder at the front of the book. Any questions on this letter should be directed to Hr. E. L. Alpaugh of this department. heHs . cc: Vice President, Industrial Relations Vice President, Manufacturing General Manager, Hough Division General Manager, Wisconsin Steel Division Managers of Manufacturing Manager, Engineering Research Manager, Manufacturing Services Staff Assistant, Manufacturing Services Managers, Industrial Relations - Operations Senior Labor Attorney Director, Medical Services Director, Public Relations Administrator, Works Internal Auditing Works Employe Relations Managers Works Industrial Relations Managers Works Safety Supervisors > ,C ~ \