Document dYD91B95V4V0q7wbpEV4Z4719

Interoffice Alemoramluiu TO and Location, . K. A. Rose ( < (Nam* ana Location) A. R. Hancock", J. H. Pritchard & F. Soliz OATE 6-21-79 reference no ARH-21-79 FS-ll-79 OSHA Compliance Asbestos Measurements in the Special Products Unit______ Summary: Various operations personnel in the Special Products unit have been monitored for asbestos exposures during Celanex SEO-3310 natural and SEO-3210 black production run, 2/22-3/26/79 (Table I). Analytical results show all exposure levels below the allowable 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) of 2 fibers/cc longer than 5 micrometers. The highest asbestos concentration found was 0.68 fibers/cc while making an asbestos blend. Several recommendations are made: 1) Revise the current SOP for asbestos blending with attention given to the present placement of empty asbestos bags in drums outside the dump chamber and the present declothing procedures. 2) Use disposable gloves when handling asbestos. 3) Label the "decabromo" drums (used to store empty asbestos bags) with proper asbestos warnings and precautions. 4) The vacuum system must be in good working order at the time of the blend. Asbestos monitoring will continue in accordance with federal regulations. Discussion: Attached are the results of the airborne asbestos monitoring during Special Products production of SEO 3310 natural and SEO 3210 black Celanex, 2/22-3/26/79 (Table I). Semi-annual sampling frequency is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Section 1910.1001. Measurements were obtained by attaching the monitoring equipment to operations personnel during an asbestos blend. Several "full shift" personal samples were taken for asbestos. This was done to ensure that personnel were not being exposed to asbestos elsewhere in the unit besides the asbestos blending procedures. The operator C of MS 409 was also monitored for asbestos exposure (while on an 000601 ARH-21-79 JHP-4-79 FS-11-79 ( 2- - June 21, 1979 asbestos run). All results were below the 8-hour TWA and the action level for asbestos. The highest concentration of asbestos seen was 0.68 fibers/cc while making an asbestos blend. The asbestos samples were analyzed by National Loss Control Service Corporation, Long Grove, Illinois, accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association. The 8-hr. TWA's reported in Table I were calculated from their analyses. The current SOP for making asbestos blends (posted on the dump chamber) is not being followed. Asbestos bags are being removed from the chamber and placed in the empty decabromo drums outside of the chamber instead of inside the chamber, as stated by the SOP. Most of the asbestos exposures are probably coming from this altered procedure. Also, the blending personnel take off their disposable clothing (coveralls, dust masks, gloves) and place them into the decabromo drums along with the asbestos bags just prior to sealing the drums." The personnel do not have on their dust masks at this time and there is a noticeable amount of dust from "mashing" the bags and clothing into the drums. It is suggested that two drums be used for the disposing procedure. The drums with the asbestos bags could be sealed first, then the disposable clothing could be removed and placed in a separate drum. This "clothing" drum could be used several times before sealing permanently. Since the sampling pump is attached over the protective clothing, the monitoring equipment is usually removed from the blending personnel by this time. Therefore, no concentrations can be supplied for exposures during the declothing operation. Recommendations: It is recommended that the SOP for asbestos blending be revised with attention to the present placement of empty asbestos bags in drums outside the chamber and the present declothing procedure. Several recommendations previously made^ should again be re-emphasized. 1) Disposable gloves should always be worn when handling asbestos. 2) The "decabromo" drums used to store empty asbestos bags should be properly labeled immediately after the blend is made. 3) It is a must that the vacuum system be in good working order when the blend is made. L 000602 ARH-21-79 JHP-4-79 FS-11-79 -3- June 21, 1979 Future Work: No further asbestos sampling in the Special Products unit is scheduled until the third quarter, 1979. A. R. Hancock ARH:sIh 1. Hancock, A.R., "OSHA Compliance Asbestos Measurements in the Special Products Units", ARH-7-79, 2-1-79. cc: A. C. Abshier C. A. Amond R. L. Bunkley H. P. Hohon G. Ille R. W. James J. L. Merian M. P. Neff P. M. Sykes File No. 21.100 000603 TABLE I ASBESTOS MEASUREMENTS RESULTS ( Name SS No. Don Strecker 476-30-8043 Date Job Description 2/22/79 Operator 8 hr. TWA Exposure^- > 2 3 Fibers/cc Highes t Exposure^.4 Fibers/cc 0.01 0.01 Comments Operated MS-409 Extruder. Area Sample 2/22/79 NA NA 0.01 Sample taken near MS-409 chopper. Benny Rodriguez LMq 2/22/79 450-82-1183 Operator Helper 0.01 0.01 Did not make an asbestos blend. Jus to Suarez 4/^1 453-60-3595 Area Sample 2/22/79 2/22/79 Utility NA <.01 NA <.01 <.01 Did not make an asbestos blend. Sample taken on top asbestos dump chambeNo blend made. Benny Rodriguez 450-82-1183 2/23/79 Operator Helper 0.03 0.03 All day sample. No blend made. y ' Suarez 4L- o0-3595 n 2/23/79 Utility <01 <.01 All day sample. No blend made. Faye Loving 454-86-5247 ^ 3/01/79 Operator Helper 0.05 0.56 ' Made an asbestos blend, vacuum system not working. Pat A. Schroeder 3/01/79 449-17-0495 ^ Utility 0.01 0.09 Same as above. Area Sample HQ*) $00 3/01/79 NA 0.01 <.04 Area sample taken on top of asbestos dump chamber. Kevin W. Childs 1 3/13/79 457-82-0912 c^jz. Utility 0.01 .06 Made an asbestos blend. Asbestos fibers on floor. Larry M. Trevino 3/13/79 450-82-1744 1 Operator NA 0.04 Area Sample ^0^ 3/13/79 NA NA .06 Area sample by asbestos dump chambei La--v M. Trevino (*3/14/79 4' i2-1744 Operator <.01 <.01 Did not make an asbestos blend. 000604 Name SS No. < Childs 45/-82-0913 Area Sample 5>l Date Description 3/14/79 Operator Helper 3/14/79 NA Tomas Garza 6^ 3/21/79 Not Available Kevin Wickham 049-79-0532 3/21/79 Ignacio G. Reyes ^(4 3/26/79 Not Available Delmino L. Garcia 453-84-9268 3/26/79 Operator Helper Operator Utility Operator 8 hr. TWA Exposure^-^3 Fibers/cc Highest Exposure2,4 Fibers/cc A o b-* <.01 NA <.01 0.02 0.02 0.57 0.68 Comments Did not make an asbestos blend. Area sample by asbestos dump chamber No blend made. Made an asbestos blend. Same as above. 0.01 0.11 Same as above. 0.04 0.57 Same as above. 1. TWA - time weighted average. Calculations of 8 hr. TWA, General Industry Standards and Interpretations, U.S. Dept, of Labor, Volume 1, OSHA 2077, 1910.1000(d)(1), p. 701. .'ermissible 8 hour TWA exposure to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers, 2 fibers, longer than 5 micrometers, per cubic centimeter of air. Ceiling concentration: 10 fibers, longer than 5 micrometers, per cubic centimeter of air, at any time. 3. Monitoring Method: According to Federal Register, Section 1910,1001(f)(2)(L). Analyses: Phase microscopy fiber counting by National Loss Control Laboratory, Long Grove, Illinois. 4. Most of the "highest exposure" samples occurred during asbestos blends. Each sample was approximately 15-30 minutes in duration. C 000605 GI-83 ASBESTOS PERSONAL EXPOSURE DATA REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS DISTRIBUTION R. G. Brandt J. T. Gore H. P. Hohon R. L. Bunkley A. R. Hancock C. W. Harrison A. C. Abshier A. B. Milam V. R. Timmans N. J. Stemadel R. Updike 000606