Document b52Q2DBVxZoZOz1wo1yM8y220

FILE NAME: National Safety Council (NSC) DATE: 1936 Nov DOC#: NSC216 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: NSC News Article - Lesser Known Facts About Occupational Diseases November, 1936 ..This Month's Cover M OST of us can remember the days ^hen a few faded and fly-specked posters tacked on the factory walls constituted most of the safety "advertising." Too 1 0ften such a poster display was characteristic of the whole Lsafety program. _ A well-kept attractive bulletin board has become recogCnized as an essential part of accident prevention work. [ Fosters have improved in both subject matter and technique * gud many new attention-arresting devices have been added to the safety man's equipment. One of these, which attracted much attention at the | Congress is shown on the cover of this issue. I t uses light, 1 sound and motion to call attention to the safety message. The light globe at the top displays a Universal Safety em.-Wem or a slogan. Beneath is a slowly revolving cylinder on \which posters are mounted, In the base Is a loud speaker .which can be operated by remote control, K In summer the device can be stationed in the plant yard fduring the noon hour and in cold weather it can.be moved in to the lunch room or rest room. A brief talk by the safety kaan, a company official or a guest speaker and a few phono graph records will provide an interesting informal program rfor the noon hour. _ Safety men are giving more thought to poster displays and 'End .that ingenuity brings increased interest. M any of them rare using the practical ideas presented each month on "The 'Bulletin Board" page of the N ational Satety N ew s. KMany Thanks! A' L ev THO ents UGH of th e a large Twent part y-fift o h f this Nati issu onal e is Sa d fe ev ty o ted Con to gre the ss, the issue would seem Incomplete without editorial comment, So we again wish to express the wannest appreciation of the Safety Movement to the State of New Jersey, particularly lo . Governor Hoffman and his energetic associates of the I ' Greater New Jersey Congress Committee, It was a Congress that will long be remembered by every delegate who attended. The seaside setting was unusual but even more important was the cordial welcome to the Congress sod the personal and official recognition of Safety by the State's chief executive, Our grateful thanks are also due the program committees : and the speakers who contributed such a wealth of invaluable ^formation from their experience. And from the united ef forts of all these loyal workers comes that intangible force, Inspiration, which vitalizes the whole safety movement. When the thanks are distributed, the exhibitors should "st be forgotten. Their equipment has been invaluable to the safety man in his dally job of preventing accidents, and the exhibits have made each Congress more interesting and colorful. One successful congress, or even twenty-five does not mean the continued usefulness of the Safety Movement; Safety men, however, do not rest on past accomplishments. They realize bow much must be done during the ensuing year. They are looking toward another year of accomplishment before the Twenty-sixth Congress meets in K ansas City dur ing the week of October 11 to IS, 1937. In This Issue SAFETY engineers are not economic experts; they have no panacea for social maladjustments, But the suc cess of their efforts adds much to the happiness and security of humanity, as President Watson pointed out in the Annual Message to Members. (Page 11.) Governor Hoffman's address was more than a convention al address of welcome, It was another stirring message and challenge to the Safety M ovem ent in the same spirit as the one he delivered at Louisville last year. (Page 13.) The swift streamlined D iesels which have caught the pub lic's fancy are only one of the many items in transportation's progress, There has been steady improvement in both freight and passenger service, The safety problems involved in mod-, ern railroading are described by the president of one of America's largest railroad systems. (Page 14.) Every'year we approach the task of reporting the Congress with a feeling of humility and inadequacy. T h e Congress was so vast, with so many important events going on simul taneously, that any individual's report Is sure to be lacking in important details. (Page 16.) Like many others, we used to think motion study was merely a cold-blooded scheme for speeding up workers. That impression, which is still widespread, is entirely without foundation. Motion study teaches the worker to perform his task with fewer motions and consequently less fatigue. And since each motion is another opportunity for accident, safety men have a very practical interest in Motion Study. (Page 22.) Inter-fleet contests have raised the standards of commer cial vehicle operation; w hy not apply similar methods to employees' private motoring? So Detroit's Industrial work ers are now competing to keep their records clear while! driving their own cars. (P age 25.) I Principles similar to those presented by Mr. M ullee in hisl able discussion of motion study are applied by P . G. Hunterl to the problem of handling materials. Here again fewl motions mean fewer chances for mishap and more speedl generally with less haste and confusion. (Page 27.) t'iOVVA/rRP.'R losfi P LA IN T IF F S E X H IB IT sicians and Lay.! r Known Facts About ccupational Diseases By ROBERT B. HUNT, M.D. A m e r lm n M utuai t l a b i l ii l l in sa ra n c e Campanil HOBABLY the leader in the pa* iade of industrial diseases is aa aaU; or chronic inflammation of the skin which vire call dermatitis. This disease may present itself in any type of shop, factory or foundry. Any paste, powder, gits or liquid which comes m contad with the employee's skin, even the water supplied by the town in which he lives or works, may be the potential cause of such a skin disturbance. rise wide diversity of causes, to gether with the varying susceptibility of different individuals, makes the problem of control difficult. Much investigation is under way to determine why one person may be sus ceptible to a certain substance while an other is not. It has been proved many time:-, that a poisonous substance formed .within the body has been able to prolong the action started by some external in fluence. A printer developed a marked 'dermatitis from ink which persisted for two Finally food tests were made .and showed that he was susceptible to 'lei | nee, Removing this from his diet domed the skin. He .'returned to his usual occupation without a return of . symptoms, c d y The poisoning of allergic substances is usually an accumulative process. It takes time to produce a manifestation of disease, but, let any other substance cause tiic disease, and the irritating food may be of sufficient sLieogth to mag nify ds action. All cases of dermatitis cannot, be cured by eliminating offending foods, but further investigation along these lines may give us a clue with which to lessen the loss of time from work and the discomfort now produced by in dustrial dermatitis. Metals L e a d : The distribution o f lead poisoning is quite extensive, The skin of the body is a protective covering, and as long as it remains in tact it does a good job except in the case of tetraethyl lead, which is used in blending gasoline and which is readily absorbed through the skin, having a tendency to create changes in the nerv ous system. The effect of other forms of lead, through that avenue of entrance, is practically nil, which explains the ex tremely low poisoning rate in typeset ters, painters and others who continually come in contact with metallic lead. Lead in any form, introduced through the mouth, acts rather slowly when com pared with the inhalation of lead dust or fumes. However, no matter what the portal of entry may be, lead is acted upon by the body fluids arid so con verted that it may eventually be de posited within the bones. Those bony safe deposit vault? may retain their lead contents for days or for years, and if the exposure is removed, may also free the employee, of alt signs and symptoms of lead poisoning. But imagine the surprise of that, supposedly cured person when years later, perhaps following some type of infectious disease or the excessive use of alcoholic bever ages, he awakes to find that he suffers tfie aches and pains and paralyses of an acute lead poisoning. As the body fluids alter lead that it may be deposited, so may those fluids attempt to de-lead the body, and too rapid absorption may pro duce the original disease with ad its 0 .1 comforts. One can readily see, then, that it, soi " cases investigation of previous i,..:ai|u tions is quite necessary to deierniiue u..a original contact with lead, Heating of molten lend causes a bluer, scum of lead suboxide to form on na; 'surface, and the heat from die uie-re.t disburses the fun- powder into da: ire. Hence, in the process of smelling or, s such as sum:, copper and silver, mire,I with lead, we find a ratfier inch Ira,I poisoning rate. Those engaged in the uiani.ii:..-. urn.; M lead wire and cables, balmries, gin.:, pottery and rubber indusuics, phimbre.: and users of dry colors offer their dec ;; of lead poisoning cases- Probably the greatest source ui led poisoning may be found anion;.; reo:; who sandpaper, scrape, chip or bur.., lire; paint, for the dns and l'suuoi ereiad I., those activities ate rather rapid in In action. Such workers limy bet:,mi,; m capacitated in a few days because tininhalation of lead dust causes lie mavmum amount of absorption inn.- ire.: blood stream in the minimum spree m: time, C:pihomsi:im: Chromium is a crea. widely used us a foundation for -aolar ;.. and dusts from its various salts tic... produce lesions o: the skin and area;, . membranes of the nose. Chromium pL ing by electrolysis may i ause Its.,., which are aimihuyy irritating, Ahlumi.a chromium poisoning does not ii-aia.!'. cause death, the number ol days of ;,,s senee from work.., on avu.-mU m aa: pacify _which i l e u s e s k id'uduuify a, creasing. !'!^;t, Other MKrAjjjrT`Tlic airea liaa;-aa portals of emiy of foreign s.a.ialtiia :into the body i.u.a the nose am! muu h The smaller the dust (the -'at m' an, particles for example, the aya-arer y speed of absorption by the blon-,1, t'aiu ... from hot. metals cany not may ... ,e-a. but numerous minute oasi pans:!, This explains tire inaipaiaU.--; ... ,a. :. ,, NATIONAL SAFFX* MMM am')!!! those engaged in acetylene and electric cutting and,welding. When mess are so employed over a prolonged period of time, the constant inhalation of fumes and dust might 'pro duce symptoms of the metal upon which they work, in the shipbuilding trade, particularly in the construction of metal ships, we find occasional cases of metalfume (ever. "Brass chills" and "spelter shakes" iron! zinc are names applied by die lay people to such diseases. The ter rific heat applied to some of our com mon metals and alloys by acetylene torches produces sufficient fumes to 'use it temporary incapacity in 24 hours, Permanent disability front such causes is- rare, however. Di#eq$e$ Due to Dust i Twenty-five per cent of dll workers exposed to high concentrations of inor ganic dust are expected to develop changes within their lungs due to that agency. Wc a r e . at a loss to explain why the other 15 per. cent are hot so affected, Mining, quarrying, foundry work, grinding, sandblasting,, abrasive soap I manufacturing* asbestos work, the mafc- \ ing of emery and carborundum products and many other Occupations.offer op portunities for employees to inhale mic roscopic dust particles' and create a foundation for possible future inca pacity, We w e interested particularly in those men who work with sandstone, qo-retz, (Hn!:, gtanite, and sand, because they expose themselves to silica, and the chemical changes between that dust and the body fluids, in the presence of tuber culosis, wav and usually do lead to a ffiud ending. It is safe to say, in light of our present knowledge, that the action of other in- organic dusts is much less virulent and inamariiiiting. That, however, does not allow us to lower the vigilant methods to improve dust control and protect em ployees. he.;;)use all dusty occupations are potential trouble makers. dll hough the -actions of various dusts. ^ differ within the body, the exposure'to. asbestos fibres, present in . the weaving and grinding of dry asbestos material/ offers another type of dust, which may w cause fatalities among workers. The organic dusts from cotton, silk, woo1, tobacco, flour and similar sub stances are practically harmless. Such dusts rarely reach the lungs but may cause fro (..irion of the windpipe and larger air tubes and result at the most in a mild Inwiclniis, The factor which should be borne in mind, particularly when dealing with silicosis and asbestosis, relates to the progression of such disease. When changes occur within the lungs as a re sult of the presence of such dusts, nature forms scai' tissue to heal such lesions but may fail to stop when the job is finished. As a result, the continuation of that healing process may lead to such structural changes within the lungs that partial or total incapacity may follow months or years after the employee has been removed from his dusty occupa tion. Benzol-Benzene Benzol is a distillate of coal tar used extensively in industry. It is an essentrial ingredient in the manufacture of explosives. It is an excellent solvent, for grease, oils and cements, and because of that property it is important in many phases of the rubber and cleaning indus tries. In the manufacture of shoes ben zol may be an ingredient of the dressing applied to the leather and of the cement which fastens the heels and soles, Not only in the shoe trade but in other branches of industry where employees work with gummy, sticky material, the workers soon learn of the solvent and cleansing action of this liquid and use it freely for that purpose upon them selves. The subsequent outbreak of skin afflictions may be the first indication of such unauthorized use, Benzol is extremely poisonous, enter ing either through the nose or mouth or absorbed through the skin. Its action within the body is varied and may pro duct1a multitude of signs and symptoms. The bone marrow becomes affected which in turn alters the character of the blood; hemorrhages are common; it may cause death. The fumes from benzol are heavier than air and lie near the floor, which is an important point, in the engineering problem of ventilation. The members of the benzene group !are absorbed through the skin, and more cases of poisoning are found when men perspire than when their bodies ate cool. Probably the answer to that is that the fumes may solidify as they cool and the powder may settle on the skin. The sweat on the body may dissolve this dust so that it is more readily absorbed through the increased surface blood supply. Chlorinated Hydrocarbons This group of petroleum derivatives has been known to science for years but during the past decade its advance in the industrial field has been widely di trlbuted and most important. Led l carbon tetrachloride and its chemical! associated members, it has furnished it dustry with refrigerants, excellent so vents for rubber, wax, oil and greas< thinners for lacquers and a very fin household necessity for the removal o spots from cloihes. Hospitals have bea using it mor and Wore for the removn of adhesive plaster. Due to the ntt-flammabilty of car bn tetrachloride/it is used in fire ex tinguishers. The rapid evaporation pro duces fumes which may smother a small blaze, but we must not forget that ex cessive heat of the actual fire may bring about combustion sufficient to produce such by-products as hydrochloric acid and phosgene gas , Dike its associated, member, cholorofrm, it may produce sleep when inhaled by an individual, and only 1/3S0 of an ounce in a quart of air is necessary to produce such action. That thought must be remembered when a large quantity of those liquid products is spilled on the floor, perhaps accidentally. Action should be started at once before the liquid gasifies, ami employes should be notified to keep their heads up to avoid the low ceiling of gas. Chemists have developed and intro duced to industry many new producs,, the basis of which is the chlorinated hy drocarbons. These derivatives of petro leum distillation are frequently combiner! with those from coal tar to form valua ble chemical combinations. They have been placed on the market so rapidly that medical science has been unable to determine their physiological effect upon the health of man. We have known that some of these chemicals are capable of creating changes in the liver, and only recently in a city in Massachusetts one of these newer products caused the death of two employees and a battle to retain life among two others. Carbon Mohoxicj'e You remember the adage, "Where there is smoke, there is fire." We might add to that, "When.? there is fire there h carbon monoxide." -This odorless but poisonous gas may occur in any industry or in any home, but the poorer the ventilation the better the chance of producing physical in capacity. .Since the advent of the motor car. whose exhaust pipe may pour forth- as high as six per cent of carbon monox ide, we are all exposed to that gas, par ticularly in crowded cities. The ordin- ary passenger car liberates about two cubic feet per minute, and one can readily estimate the physical damage that may be done if such a motor is allowed to tun within the doors of a poorly vendialed garage or shop* For tunately, serious cases of such poison ing are not common among those atm ployed In public garages, but many em ployes arc likely to complain of head ache and faiutaes at the end of a day's work, especially in colder weather when doors and windows remain dosed. In the steel industry, Where' gas is used as the heating agency in the blast furnaces, care must be taken to provide proper ventilation, Within the mines,. workers are warned to allow enough time following blasts for the escape 'Of this gas. Infection The skirt is a protective covering of the body against infection and is ex tremely efficient its long as it remain in tact, but allowing if to be broken or punc tured introduces bacteria; and a battle ensues between the offensive agencies of infection and the defensive powers of the body. Tin: winner of such a struggle may determine the presence or absence of incapacity. Infections' are common throughout iiidmfty, but two types are particularly prormnent--infection re sulting from anthrax and infection among meat r,radars arid fishermen. Many of our fur, hair or woolcovered animals may contract anthrax. The germs of that disease defy the ordinary methods of .sterilization and may linger on hides, bristles or hairs for. long periods of time, Tanners, wool sorters, and hair or bristle workers may introduce the anthrax spore beneath their skin and undergo much physical suffering anil sometimes death. Infections arc frequently found among meat and fish packers and those engaged in deep sea fishing. Although death rarelv <hxg; s , slie loss of fingers, .hands and u.r-'ty rcpiir. wounds ate the result. Summary 1 feel tiiai the time has come when an employer nnrct demand of a manufac turer the i-mswray, to two questions: 1. H '1' 1.' : Si v .11 j-mtUud a it eel my budoess V 7 , lim y trill your jirnillict affect the health of my eeiriley: a-r That employer is entitled, to honest answers based upon sufficient chemical and physiological examinations of the questionable product. Too many lives have been hw|. o-' jeopardized by too little lmowlodge of a product's action upon those who Inn die it. F a errosincon Industrial Data Sheet D-Chem . 20 A . Problem 1. What are the hazards of fertosil- kon and what precautions are necessary in i t s .rise?; 8. Hazards 2. The principal hazard is that of poisoning bjt inhalation of the gases that may Ire given off, especially in the presence of moisture. C. Discussion 3. Ferrosilicon is prepared by melting iron ore or steel shavings with coal or coke and ganister or quartz at a temper ature of about 2,000 degrees centigrade (3,632 degrees Fahrenheit) in an elec tric furnace. In making steel, ferrosili con is used for removing objectionable gases and oxides and also as mi alloying element. When alloyed with Cast iron, it affects the Carbides and fenders the iron soft ancl gray. More concentrated silicon alloys are sometimes used in cer tain processes for making hydrogen gas and in the manufacture of explosives. 4. The hazard in connection with ferrosilicon results from very small percent ages of phosphorus together with other elements which may be present as im purities originating in the raw materials used. In the presence of moisture the phosphorus compounds react to form phosphorated hydrogen or phosphine. This is a gas which in sufficient quanti ties is decidedly poisonous. It has a strong and distinctive odor somewhat re sembling garlic so that its presence can be readily recognized. The stability of ferrosilicon depends upon its silicon con tent, grades below 48 percent and above 63 percent being entirely stable and ferrosilicon in these ranges does not give off any appreciable quantities of phosphine, even in the presence of moisture. It is, therefore, only in the intermediate range between 48 percent and 65 percent that there is any appre ciable hazard. Symptoms of Poisoning , 5. When a person has breathed poison ous gases liberated frorft*" 'ferrosilicon, the symptoms of poisoning Usually de velop quite suddenly and are character ized by general and abdominal painnausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hem or rhages, loss of consciousness, dilated pupils, cold clammy perspiration arid coma. Cases of poisoning have been mistaken, for cholera, gastroenteritis, ptomaine poisoning, pneumonia and in fluenza. first A id 6. When a person displays am symptoms of poisoning because of the inhalation of the poisonous gases lib erated by ferrosilicon, he should be promptly removed to the Fresh air ami. if conscious, be given a rni'ld alkali drink. If unconscious, the prone pressure method of artificial respiration should be started immediately after the patient has been removed to the fresh air. In all cases of poisoning the services of a doctor should be promptly obtained Precautions 7. Ferrosilicon should be stored away from such places as offices ami work rooms or living quarters of any descrip tion. 8. All buildings in which fercasilioin is stored should be well ventilated and dry. (.fee Note X.) Ordinarily, in an open factory building the natural venti lation through monitors in the lord nt through windows is .sufficient if the fer rosilicon is kept dry. U. If men are requited to handle wet ferrosilicon in a confined space, artificial ventilation should be provided. 10. In case phosphine has been al;lowed to accumulate in al cldsely con fined space such as a closed room or box car. so that a strong odor of the gas is noticeable, no one, unless he is wearing a suitable gas mask or fresh air hose mask, should be allowed to enter the room until it has been thoroughly venti- lated. (fe e Note .) N O T E X. Detailed' informer! Ion on Varrtna tion wilt he found lri National Safety Council Safe Practices Poirnihlet No,,. 87 "Induatrlal Ventilation," NOtB V. Detailed information on fresh sir hose masks will he found In National Safety Council Safe Practices Pamphlet No. $4 - "Ucsnli alni-s. Gas , Masks. Ilose Mask- and , lirHiltilnn Annarath/' National Safety Council, Inc. ,-ra 20 North Wacker Drive Chicago, III, iwaT i n imi t etiyir.TV.itsiKiwr