Document jNnewwem0ZXM4LXRk1QrZnr4k

FILE NAME Caterpillar CAT DATE 1982 Jan 12 DOC CAT058 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Memo RE Exposures During Parts Handling at Delavan Warehouse [} CATERPIllar PEORIA DATE January 12 1982 PLANT OR OFFICE Morton trACTOR . CO OFFICE | DEPARTMENT En ATTENTION DEPT Safety Safety ATTN W. E. Mastronardi DESTROY FILE UNTIL DATE CC C. Carter - Morton B. Ghelardini ~ Delavan R. R. Hoffman - AB3B M. T. Neu M.D. - Morton H. K. Thompson ~ AB1D A. N. Ward M.D. - ABID CONFIDENTIAL Personal exposure and general air samples taken at Delavan on November 30 and December 1 1981 have been analyzed for asbestiform fiber content The personal samples were taken on employee Arthur Watkins during the handling of Part No. 483534 and subsequent assembly of Group No. 4B3533 On November 30 1981 200 pieces were assembled Approximately 211 pieces were assembled December 1 1981. On both days general air samples were taken at a location about six feet to the left or right of the work station oy Notable amounts of loose material were found in most boxes which contained Part No. 4B3534 Analysiosf this material showed the presence of chrysotile asbestos at a level of less than five percent Cellulose was also found in this sample of loose , material Employee Watkins fiber exposure on an hour time weighted basis was 0.5 fibers per cubic centimeter of air on November 30 and 0.2 fibers per cubic centimeter on December 1. As noted per- viously residue collected from boxes of parts contained cellulose fibers therefore one may speculate that some fraction of the fibers counted were cellulose and not asbestos I believe however that we are obliged to consider that the fibers were asbestos and | thus implement work practices and control measures accordingly The OSHA asbestos standard 1910.1001 that employers provide certain medical examinations for exposed employees OSHA has established an exposure level of 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter of air 8 hour time weighted average as the point at which medical 01-898-60505.02 1029681 029 coe W. Mastronardi -2- January 12 1982 surveillance is triggered You will note that employee Watkins on both days had an exposure that exceeded the 0.1 fiber level Per requirements of 1910.1001 this employee should be placed in a medical surveillance program Since we have no past exposure data for this employee I believe we should assume that past exposur~ may have been near the same level as measured recently In the future potential exposure may be significantly reduced i.e. to a level below 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air by vacuuming parts and loose material from boxes prior to handling and assembly Only acceptable vacuum cleaners should be used The collected material could then be sealed and labeled for proper disposal per requirements of the asbestos standard Industrial Hygiene G.O. can offer guidance in vacuum cleaner selection The potential asbestos fiber exposure should be remeasured at this job when work is next planned A tabulation of all exposure data is presented in the attached table Please call if you have any questions REKinser Industrial Hygiene Engineer ABSL - Ext 5315 jw Attach R. E. KinserKinser , 1029682 029