Document evOZ143dE14Rj67z6VyaQNM24

1986 VCM/LEAD/NOISE/ASBESTOS/RESPIRATORY HEALTH TRAINING -CLASS OUTLINE- 9/17/86 INSTRUCTORS: ATTENDEES: LOCATION: Safety Department Personnel All Plant Personnel Plant Auditorium INTRODUCTION MAIN SUBJECT: EMPHASIS: SCOPE: Employee Health Hazards and Their Control VCM Lead Noise Asbestos Respirators Where we stand Where we go from here Where you fit in 4 VAB.0001052920 i VCM LEAD HAZARDS * Colorless, sweet-smelling gas * Has a low ''flashpoint11 * Can cause "AOL," a finger bone disease * A cancer-suspect agent. Over 100 cases of angiosarcoma * Breathing high concentrations can make you pass out * Touching liquid can cause frostbite * Inhaling smoke from fires can cause severe lung damage * May cause chromosome damage * VCM FACTS PAMPHET - Pass out - Contains a good deal of information we won't cover * Fine, light powders used in Compound * Uncontrolled overexposure can cause lead poisoning - Damage to: Nervous System Reproductive System Blood System Kidneys - Can be fatal * Can enter body by inhaling or ingesting * Warning Signs: Stomach pain Loss of appetite Nausea Metallic taste Constipation Tremors Irrational behavior Insomnia Convulsions Headaches - If you have any you think are related to work, see your supervisor and the Plant Nurse A VAB.0001052921 r NOISE * Hearing loss is a natural part of aging * It can not be repaired * It can be made worse by excessive exposure to noise * The higher the noise, the less time is required to do harm ASBESTOS * Still used in certain parts of the plant (encapsulated, e.g.: in Plasticizer Building) * Very short fibers can lodge in the lung, causing long-term problems, including "asbestosis," the most common sickness * Other illnesses are possible, including cancers of the digestive system A fh VAB.0001052922 EXPOSURE GOALS AND SAFE LIMITS PLANT GOAL: KEEP EXPOSURES TO ALL ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS AS LOW AS POSSIBLE SAFE LIMITS VCM 1 ppm, 8-hr TWA 5 ppm, averaged over any 15-minute period LEAD 50 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air, 8-hr TWA - Lower for more hours in the work period NOISE 90 dBA, 8-hr TWA 87 dBA, 12-hr TWA ASBESTOS 0.2 Fibers per cubic centimeter (as of 6/20/86, replacing older limit of 2 fibers) A VAB.0001052923 LEAK AND SPILL CONTROL GENERAL * Keep all materials contained! * Use the correct container for each material * Keep the container closed * Keep the container properly labeled VCM * No VCM leak is acceptable * Leak repair always has the top priority * Indicators include: icing, hissing noises, condensation, odor, and measurements with instruments LEAD * Keep dusting to a minimum * Avoid unecessary crushing of empty lead bags. Do near the ventilation hood, if possible * Use vacuum cleaing methods to clean with. Use of compressed air with lead is illegal! ASBESTOS * Before handling asbestos - Rope off the area - Get Tyvek suit, rubber gloves, and a "high efficiency" Airhat - Bring plastic bags, open top drums, and plastic sheeting to the site * During the work - Keep dusting to a minimum - Keep material wet at all times - Catch falling pieces of material with plastic sheeting - Make as few cuts as possible - Do not drop material, if possible - Place all scraps in plastic bags as work proceeds * After the work - Put all collection bags and sheets in drums - Put Tyvek suits and gloves in drums - If outside, flush area with water - If inside, wet-wipe - Close drums and apply labels A VAB.0001052924 I PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT RESPIRATORS FACIAL HAIR POLICY * For all personnel who can be assigned emergency duties * No facial hair permitted in area of respirator seal. It seriously decreases respirator effectiveness * Medical certification required for all personnel who may have to use respirators * No exceptions allowed for users AIR-LINE RESPIRATORS * Breathing air supplied to mask via a hoseline * Good for any chemical, but used mostly with VCM (up to 1,000 ppm) * Used for a variety of routine jobs associated with VCM - Hooking/unhooking VCM railcars - Changing VCM filters - Opening, depressuring, or isolating any VCM equipment - Working in the VCM compressor shed - All work, including maintenance, where VCM is present above 1 ppm SCOTT AIR-PAKS * Self-contained respirator * Good for any chemical, but used mostly with VCM * Used for emergencies * Must be used for protection against VCM - Above 1,000 ppm - In unknown concentrations A VAB.0001052925 SLING-PAKS * Smaller version of the Scott, M2A" unit. Gives same degree of protection * Five in the plant, all in Vinyl * Used when finding leaks and during emergencies BULLARD HOOD-TYPE RESPIRATOR * A special type of air-line respirator * Used for Dust Collector entry 3M AIRHAT (DUST, MIST, AND FUME) * A battery-operated, air-purifying respirator * Used when charging Compound blenders, working in the Color Weigh Room, or any other job involving lead * Keep assigned Airhat clean * Check airflows daily. Change filters if needed to keep good airflow * Turn in for thorough cleaning and repair each month * Report any problems immediately. Do not use a bad Airhat 3M AIRHAT (HIGH EFFICIENCY) * 2 Airhats are being modified to become "high efficiency" * For use when handling asbestos, per new OSHA standard HEARING PROTECTION * High noise areas are posted * Can't depend on warning signs for warning in all cases * Recognize high noise danger situations * Wear ear plugs or muffs A VAB.0001052926 Miscellaneous * Keep endangered parts of the body covered, especially when handling acids, caustics, and solvents * Head and eyes - Goggles, faceshields, glasses * Arm and hand - Gloves, long sleeves (no cut-off sleeves) * General body - Aprons, disposable clothing, rainsuits A VAB.0001052927 VENTILATION * Keep all vent fans and hoods running - each serves an important purpose * Report inoperative or defective equipment * Follow department procedures in Compound - Check Magnahelic guages - Keep Building Ventilation System hoppers cleaned out - Check airflows with the department velometer A VAB.0001052928 EMERGENCIES * Must be prepared to handle them * Know what you are expected to do ahead of time * Leave endangered areas when alerted unless your job is to stay and help handle the emergency * ^re-plan what you will do under different circumstances * Remember that everyone must be accounted for as quickly as possible during any emergency A VAB.0001052929 MEDICAL TESTING * Done to see if any medically significant problems related to VCM, Lead, or other environmental agents exist * Repeat testing, including blood-lead tests, will be done, as needed * Take advantage of the program. Participate. * Advise your supervisor of any problems you have with the service * You will be given a copy of your exam results when the doctor has finished his work A VAB.0001052930 DOSIMETRY GENERAL * We measure routine exposures to VCM, lead, and total particulates (dusts). Other exposures, including those involving unusual jobs, are measured when the need arises. * Noise measurement is also done, but on a less frequent basis, and using outside help and special equipment EQUIPMENT REAL "MINIMONITOR" BADGES * Used to monitor VCM exposure * Wear the badges when assigned - Membrane facing out - Do not cover them with outer garments or protective clothing - Do not lay them about, on tables, desks, etc. AIR PUMPS AND CASSETTE FILTERS * Used to measure exposures to lead and dusts * Wear at all times during work period - Wear filter on collar, pointed down - Report pump problems immediately DOSIMETRY CARD * Fill out card and turn in at guard house at end of work period * Note respirator use * Note anything you did, or was near, which you think might have caused an overexposure RESULTS * Examined carefully by supervision and management. No overexposure is considered acceptable to them. * You will be notified of any overexposure as soon as the results are available VCM - Usually within 3-5 days Lead and Dust - Usually within 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 weeks VAB.0001052931 PERSONAL HYGIENE * There is no good substitute for good, consistent personal hygiene * Avoid contact with materials unless necessary to do a job * Always wash hands, face, arms before eating, drinking, smoking, or applying cosmetics. This is especially so with lead, and is a good practice for all materials * Do not take food, drinks, cosmetics, or tobacco products into lead areas * Remove contaminated, protective clothing before entering clean areas, particulary when dealing with lead. VAB.0001052932 i