Document gmZRbZn0LwO2Eq5gm7gYZX1L

SPECIAL HAZARDS SURVEY ,, , , GOODYEAR TIRE AND RUBBER CO. Prepared for: NIAGARA FALLS PUOT %0d BAKER AVENUE NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK SUBJECT INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SURVEY P.S. PERSONAL SERVICE FROM THE OFFICE OF AIEXANDER & ALEXANDER S Prepared by: S. R. WHEELER INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST Survey date: FEBRUARY 2, 1970 An Engineering Service oh UF & CASUALTY Hartford, Connecticut ** \ nuon <s prepared to assist tne named insured in a loss control protram r \ confidential and is not to be used for any other purpose. It does not purror? tc include every loss potential, code violation or eieeption to codd oractice r*ijte-s om* tn tnose hjjardt specifically eiammed and described herein ? ' 6= 60041966.2 GOODYEAR TIRE AND RUBBER CO. NIAGARA FALLS PIANT 5408 BAKER AVENUE NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK February 2, 1970 PURPOSE; This survey was conducted at the plants request to evaluate the employee exposure to various air contaminants in the vinyl compound plant. Several noise level readings were taken within this area to de termine the employee exposure to noise, also. CONTACTS; With our Buffalo Engineering Representative, Mr. R. Narad, I contacted the following gentlemen: Mr. J. Pollock, Personnel Manager; Mr. T. Gilmore, General Foreman, Department 232; Mr. J. Blackley, General Foreman, Department 245. CONCLUSION; Our air sampling results indicate the airborne concentration of contaminants in the vinyl compound plant are below the recommended threshold limit values established by the American Conference of Govern mental Industrial Hygienists. The noise level readings obtained in the vinyl compound plant were in a marginal range, 87-89 DBA, even though below the recommended criteria established by the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act. Studies should be made of those areas where noise criteria exceeds 90 DBA in an effort to reduce noise exposure and the potential hearing impairment. Two samples were taken in Building No. 32 to determine the concentration of airborne organic vapors. The results obtained from these samples indicate the airborne concentration to be above the recommended threshold limit value. Elffort should be made to reduce the airborne concentration by providing better ventilation and improving housekeeping conditions. PROCEDURE: The organic solvent vapor samples were collected using silica gel tubes. In this method, air is drawn through a collecting medium, silica gel, which absorbs the solvent vapors. The solvent is then extracted chemically and analyzed in a gas chromatograph. Having collected the solvent vapor at a knowi now rate, and for a known time, the airborne concentration can be determined. The dust samples were collected by drawing air at the rate of 0.1 cubic feet per minute through midget impingers containing distilled water as the collecting medium. Lead and chrome dusts were collected on millipore membrane filters at a flow rate of 20 liters per minute. These samples were then returned to our Hartford Laboratory for analysis. The samples were then analyzed polarographically, using a SARGENT, Model XV Polarograph. 60041966.3 -2- Two methods were used In sampling for hydroquinone. Both the midget -implnger technique and the millipore technique were employed in sampling. These samples were then analyzed an a BECKMAN Model DU Specktrophotometer. RESULTS: Listed in Appendix A are the results of our air sampling. For each location sampled, I have included the contaminant sample for, and also its prospective threshold limit value. The noise level readings and their locations are given in Appendix B. DISCUSSION; In interpreting the results of our air samples for chemical substances, we used as a guide the threshold limit values (TLV), which have been adopted by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. These TLV's should be used as a guide in the control of health hazards and should not be regarded as fine lines betweoi safe and dangerous conditions. They represent conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed, day after day, without adverse effects. The values given refer to a time-weighted average concentration for a normal workday, unless otherwise assigned a ceiling limit. Where assigned a ceiling limit, that concentration should not be exceeded, even for short periods of time. The samples taken during this survey were not for contaminants with ceiling limits. The threshold limit values, as well as the particular contaminant, are given in Appendix A. The results of the survey for chemical cantaminents did not indicate any exposure in excess of the recommended levels in the vinyl compound plant area. However, our data (samples 8 and 9> Appendix A) indicate the airborne concentration of organics solvent vapors in Building No. 32 to be in excess of the recommended threshold limit value. Since toluene is the most toxic vapor present at this location, the air sample results were based upon the threshold limit value for toluene. Control measures should be adopted in this area to help reduce the employee exposure to these organic vapors. The hydroquinone samples taken in tte dedic transfer area were representative of general background concentrations. The concentrations I found were, I consider, fairly high for a general background reading. The air borne concentration may indeed increase when the dedic hopper is being loaded and unloaded. Due to a faulty valve on cne of the reactors, a transfer of material could not be accomplished when the samples were taken. Perhaps when normal operations resumes, it might be wise to further monitor this area to determine more accurately the concentration of hydroquinone in the air. Continuous exposures to excessive noise will lead to permanent hearing losses. An individual who is hypersensitive to noise could easily de velop a partial hearing impairment at a noise level reading below th 90 DBA criteria established by the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act. 60041966.4 -3- To reduce the noise exposure, I would suggest a study be made of those areas where noise results exceed 85 DBA. The primary noise sources should be pinpointed and efforts should be made through engineering control to lower the exposures. An alternate method of noise control is the use of personal protective devices, such as ear plugs or ear muffs, rather than environmental con trol. In the event that these are chosen for the controls, each em ployee should be correctly fitted for the chosen defender by a competent person, and these devices should be kept thoroughly clean so as to avoid possible ear infection. RECOMMENDATIONS; A. Additional control measures should be implemented in Bulking No. 32's reactor and storage tank area to reduce the airborne concentration of solvent vapors in the employees' working environment. B. Efforts should be made through engineering controls to reduce the noise levels within the plant to 90 DBA. C. A hearing conservation program should be instituted which includes pre-employment audiometric testing. X6zm.ro X Steven R. Wheeler Industrial Hygienist J 60041966.5 No. Time 1. 10:1x0 am 2. 10:5li am ?. 11:1* am li. ll:li5 am 5. 6. 1:1x1 pm Contaminant Dust Lead Chrome Hydroquinone 7. 1:1x5 pm Hydroquinone fl. 2:l6 pm Toluene 9. 2:10 pm Toluene APPENDIX A GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO. NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK February 12, 1970 Air Sampling Results Location Fourth floor mixing, OBZ. Top of Banbury Mixer, general area. Top floor compounding room, OBZ. Top floor_compounding room, OBZ. Roll Machine;-* Bldg. No. 33-dedic transfer, hopper loading station, general area, PZ. Bldg. No. 33-dedic transfer, hopper loading station, general area, BZ. Rldg. No. 32-2-between reactors No. 1 and 2, BZ. Bldg. No. 32-1-chemical storage tanks, general area, BZ. Results 11.5 mppcf trace 0.02 mg/m3 0.17 mg/rn^ trace 1.2 mg/m^ TLV 50 mppcf -- 0.20 mg/m3 0.50 mg/m^ -- 2.0 mg/m^ l.li mg/m^ 2.0 mg/m^ 255 ppm 2711 ppm 200 ppm 200 ppm 9996117009 OBZ - Operator's Breathing Zone ppm - parts contaminant per million parts of air mg/m3 - milligrams contaminant per cubic meter of air `^Sample 7 and 6 were taken using different sampling techniques. wVinyl Chloride & associated vapors APFENDIX D GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBHER CO. NIAGARA FALLS PLANT 9I(08 BAKER AVE. NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK February 12, 1970 Noise Level Readings No. Location "A" Scale Reading "Overall" C Network 1. Dicer Station-approximately 6 feet from dicer. 87 93 2. Roll Station-at operator's desk. 87 93 3. Roll Station-adjacent.to rollers. / 89 96 Sound level readings were obtained using a General Radio Company, TVpe 1,905-A, Sound Level Meter, 60041966.7