Document emVQnGnXwMG9KgRrjQE850DLy
FILE NAME: General Electric (GE)
DATE: 1942 DOC#: GE052
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: PA Dept of Labor Safe Practice Bulletin Occupational Disease Prevention
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INSULATION MAIJFACTURg '' 'n v
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Edited byt- '
Robert L.'Houts, ' Industrial Chemist
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When asbestos is used as an insulation agent in the manufaoture^ pf .
wire it enters the plant in a refined form, having been through ^. previous
manufacturing or processing treatment at some asbestos factory, Vfhioh has - .
conditioned the raw supply of asbestos.
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'. ' tvh--''P- Thus we find two general types of asbestos supply, one the y a m of-,.-
asbestos in the spool form (to be used for braiding the outside of the
finished wire), and the other the batt, or lap, form of asbestos whioh is -
loosely wound in a reel (this is the form that is used on the carding machines).
High grade asbestos, of long staple and free-from-iron content, is used in
wire manufacture intended for electrical insulation.
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The wire manufacturer is more concerned with removal of a rather longstapled waste, than the finer dust particles which are found associated with asbestos-ore processing about the picker-carding machine for example.
However, this asbestos by-product, if allowed to escape into the
_
workroom, would soon float into the far boundaries of the plant and hang like
Spanish moss, even from the rafters, and settling on belts, pulleys and
eou-'oment. It soon gets bevond the control of good housekeeping if unrenoved
1 ** ` :s origin.
Asbestos
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a
d.e.c.i.d.e.d..a.b.r.a.s.ive
acjt-i-on-
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ii-tus-
presence=
ps
not
beneficial to the long life of plant equipment with which it comes in comae.
The plant procedure of the General Electric Company's -wire works at York, Pennsylvania is considered a model in its asbestos waste removal system, and or. illustrated description of the processes used, makes up the oasis of this Safe Practice Bulletin.
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This is a general view of the insulating room of the General Electric Companys ire Works plant at York,Penna. The asbestos carding machine ventilating hoods are ndicated by #1, with the white reel of asbestos felt , marked "A".
The larger ventilation hoods, marked #2 are to carry away the volatile fumes of lcohol-base solvents used in lacquers for the wire, and are over the drying ovens.
This general type of machine is known as M-Machine. This turns out magnet wire for otors and generators, and electric railways. The asbestos dust is delivered to the angbora Dust Collector, and this system is independent of the one for alcohol fumes..
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The following illustrated talk was presented by Fred R.. Kaimer,
ftt a monthly safe practice conference sponsored jointly by Pennsylvania
State College and the State Department of Labor and Industry. This
conference was held at the Nittany Lion Inn and was under the joint chair
manship of Dr. Frank C. Whitmore, Dean of the School of 'Chemistry and
Physics of the College and Mr. William H. Chesnut, Director of the Bureau
of Workmen's Compensation.
.
mAPgTING ASBESTOS FIBER AND DUST IN WIRE INSULATION MANUFACTORY
by
"
Fred R. Kalmer,
Assistant to Manager
General Electric Co. York Works
The use of asbestos fiber in the manufacture of insulated wire
usually introduces a dust control problem which may require attention
either as a potential dust hazard, a housekeeping problem or both, These conditions depend upon the quality and grade of fiber used, the form in
which it is applied and the method of applying the insulation material.
The York Works of the General Electric Company includes in a complete program of control not only the essential exhausting and collecting equipment for controlling the asbestos fly and dust at its source, but a routine inspection and continuous maintenance of all systems, a periodic check of air conditions, thorough physical examination of all new employees and re-examination periodically for all employees.
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The success of this program depends upon the uniform stress
*
J placed uPn 69011 unit of precautionary measure. The employee, as well as
the employer, share a definite responsibility to insure safety, improved " : heslth and better working conditions.
th e o O l v u i t a l c o h o l 1 . 11 cin oved, t l n o u g h t h e a g e n c y o f g a s f i r e s i rand sv e ^n t i l na t i o ^n , t ^o g e t ih Se r Ew i i h mm e c h a n `i ca ls??-
ncloaure.
T h i ; ; i s an M-ivi. i c: 111 ne a nd h a n d l e s t h e l a r g e r d i a m e t e r w l r o , u s u a l l y c o p p e r r a n d n f i f r o m
9 g o u g e ( o . l l 4 m . ) t o 0000 g m, ,e (0.-1f,0 i n . ) , A m e r i c a n w i r e s t a n d a r d s . The m a g n e t w i r e i d o b s e r v e d a s
tjl1, ,
i f 10 1111 l o s u r e f r om t h e l e f t s i d e t h r o u g h t l i e o p e n i n g . ( I n a p r e v i o u s bu l l e t i n , S a f e P r a c t . D u l l e t l n
, r s l , , , r . Kai'iier lies dose n bed : I n s u l a t i on o f 'f i r e w i t h S y n t h e t i c U a x . I l l u s t r a t e d )
A brief outline of the method employed in asbestos wire manu
facture is essential to qualify some of the illustrations and clarify the mechanics of asbestos fiber removal and collection.
"Deltabeston" the General Electric Company's trade w m s for
asbestos insulated wire, comprises an insulating fiber of the crysotile
variety H4M 93Si20g free from iron and other foreign elements. The fiber
is physically recognized as pure white #1 quality insulating fiber, length
f" - 1" or #2 grade length 3/8" - 5/8". The method of grading employed
by the asbestos mill comprises a screen test which is described briefly
as follows: A 16 oz. sample of asbestos fiber is successively screened
using first, two mesh screen, then four mesh and ten mesh. The bottom
is a solid pan which retains "shorts" or fine splinters-of unopened fiber,
A typical screen analysis of #1 fiber and #2 fiber is given below:-
Method of grading
Fiber 16 oz. samle
First screen 2 mesh
Second "
4 "
Third "
10 "
15,376 oz. .354 " .240 "
96$ retained n
Bottom - Solid pan
First
#2 Fiber
Second
Third
Bottom
.030 " 0.18$ shorts
15.085 oz. .640 " .193 " .082 "
94$ retained
n 1$ shctts
The above grading represents a final control test of quality of Uflcd in the manufacture of asbestos textiles, such as roving, yarn
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es of
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l e a d s and f l u o r e s c e n t l i gin f 1: d u r e s. Th
( 2 ) r u n t h r o u g h v i s o c u : coop GOO. o
(2)
'cur.d, The movement o f w i r e t h r o ^n*n 0 2 :oacr. i ne i s
at 50-o0 ar.ourts of thine,The asbestos is dust and v.-aste f r e t th e : is used in e le c tric step s are ^. J asb e: polish out1 exces:
iron left to rizht,
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and lap designed for use in insulated wire manufacture. The fact may now
be recognized that the quality and grade of product supplied by the asbestos mill for wire insulating purposes is already highly refined. The crushing, grading and refining has been completed leaving the product which the wire manufacturers must handle free from dust particles. The problem therefore becomes one of controlling the fly of short asbestos fibers. If permitted to fly in the work room, the fibers adhere to practically all rough surfaces and projections, settle on operating equip ment, floors, beams, etc. and cause in a short time an unsightly appearance. Ihe abrasive action of the asbestos on rotating members, bearings, gears, cams, is also extremely violent necessitating costly replacements and repairs or high maintenance costs. The installation of adequate ventilating equipment and control measures at York has effectively eliminated these conditions as well as any semblance of health hazard.
The process of manufacturing asbestos insulated wire et the General Electric Company, York Works, requires the utilization of asbestos
iber in the form of lap or rolls.(Sample for illustration). The material eceived from the asbestos mill in this form is re-carded and fed to the Ire element in the required quantity to produce the desired insulation hickness.
The process of ro-carding the asbestos fiber and transferring e to the wire element generates asbestos oust and fly, which is contrail, proper exhaust equipment. The simplest, most effectue and lowest cost thod which we have devised, without Interfering with production, incorpo-
hood Completely enclosing the generating unit utilizing hinged b shatter proof glass windows for operating control. The volume
air handled Is a function of hood opening and velocity, the latter being
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' ''!"'stou dust, or waste, is olTiciunI '" s 1. a n 1 b c Ior , o u t s i d e t ho 111!i]d iup .
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removed
by t ho
illustrated
ventilation
system
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dependent upon particle site, specific gravity turbulence and location of hood opening for most effective control.
C.F.M. Area (Sq. Ft. ) X V (F.P.M. )
Referring to figure #1 - Slide No. 1 pictured isw a typical hood used in the process completely enclosing the generating unit. The hood
opening measures 1 * 3* x 1 making an overall area of 3 sq. ft. The
velocity used at hood opening is 300 ft/ min. or a volume of air handled
of 900 C.F.M,
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The single branch pipe velocity at entrance to hood is 2000 ft/ min. A blast gate and by pass damper are also provided for reducing velocities if desired.
Figure (2) Illustrates the method of fiber collection and system
of removing the collected fibers. The equipment comprises a Pnngborn Cloth
Screen Dust Collector, arranged for outside location and selective opera
ion. There are 124 screens covered lth cotton filter fabric arranged
He spaced 5i" centers providing an active area of 5150 sq. ft. These
= equipped lth motor driven screen vibrating mechanism utilising 4
600 RRI motors.
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The collector is provided with a central partition through the Hector screen section and dust box shown belcwtc permit continuous oration. Under normal operations, air flows to both sides of the collector. :visions have been made permitting the entire air flow to be diverted f the collector in order to vibrate screens In the other half and clean
the dust box section below the isolated screen section. The air flow
*hS r87SrS0d t0 * . vibration and cleaning of the site half of the collector. The air flow gates are finally opened so 0 return both screens sections t= tho llae, rais oparatll,g cy01e ls
ormed onco each day as a result of our experience. The removal of
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asbestos fibers from the dust box section is accomplished manually through four unloading thimbles in the bottom of dust box. large collector bags positioned with bag clamps receive the asbestos fiber (See photo.) The dust velocity maintained throughout the main duct system is" 4000 ft/ min.
The system is operated by a single exhauster, backward curved blade type, designed to handle 16,420 C.F.M. from 70, 4 diameter exhaust connectors. A 10* leakage allowance brings the total C.F.M. to 18,120,
at 1629 R.P.M. A 40 HP - 1800 RTM motor is used to operate the exhauster]
This installation has now been in operation approximately three years con tinuous service and has proven its value through results secured in improved housekeeping, working conditions and good health insurance. The w^ste asbestos fiber formerly thrown away has been reduced by 20*. In other words we have added to our saleable waste 20* of good fiber which is valued at $500, per year.
Health Routine
The procedure which constitutes e complete program of health routine at the York Works, I feel is of tremendous importance and if tine remitted would justify more detail regarding the adninistration of each precautionary measure. In brief, this program to protect the health and safety of employees develops the following practices:
1- a
aJld PK-omploymcnt history
pr- requisite to initial employment
2 ' rreeqcuiiir/emie3*Sn*nttssi0rreq0ufi,rGi-ngE 'emCp-loyBe0e0stlseitgSna01t1urSedsn.sral safety
3 ` i l \ Strib^ l0Y i ; booklets on rules and precautions of safety and health applying specifically to the York Works.
4. Distribution and furnishing of following materials: (a) Clothing - Coveralls - Underwear - caps - gloves. (b) Towels - Soap - Protective Cream