Document kDG2EYmd6v9Vvo44LyJq60meB

FILE NAME Brakes BRK DATE 1979 Dec 11 DOC BRK214 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION US Steel Corp Memo RE Mechanic and Apprentice Mechanic Exposures ewes , UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION CLAIRTON WORKS . i ENVIRONMENTAL 6 HEALTH SERVICES DECEMBER 11 1979 MEMORANDUM SUBJECT Mechanic and Apprentice Mechanic Exposures ~ Garage and Locomotive Crane Repair Station > Compensation Claim - Julius Onyika On October 9 and 10 1979 a survey was conducted by the Environmental and Health Services Department to determine the exposures of the mechanics and apprentices to various airborne contaminants Section 1910.1000 and 1910.1001 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act limits employee exposures to various physical and chemical agents The Permissible Limits for those substances present in the garage and repair stations are as follows SUBSTANCE Hour Limit TWA Ceiling Limit Total Particulates Chromates Iron Oxide Asbestos m 15.00 mg 0.05 10.00 mg 2 fibers ~ - 10 fibers greater than 5 microns greater than 5 microns Conclusions The personal sampling results indicated the exposures of mechanics and apprentices in the Garage and Locomotive Crane Repair Station to the substances listed were well below the Permissible Limits Sampling conducted October 9 and 10 indicated Total Particulate exposures of 1.18 mg 0.10 mg 0.14 mg and an Asbestos exposure of 1.35 fibers The samples collected for chromates analyses indicated no detectable levels of exposure Recommendations As indicated exposures to Total Particulate Chromates Iron Oxide and Asbestos were well below established safe limits therefore no precautions need be taken by the mechanic or mechanic helper against these contaminants USEI000082 he s Discussion The garage primarily used for motor vehicle repair and general upkeep of motorized equipment such as portable All types of services are performed from visual inspections to engine overhauls The personnel were sampled for exposures to Total Particulates Iron Oxide Chromates and Asbestos The Particulates including Iron Oxide were evolved by mechanical attrition although some Iron Oxide may have resulted from the small amount of burning and welding done in the shop The Asbestos was generated from changing brake shoe pads The exposure results indicated all the personnel were below the permissible limits for all substances sampled The Total Particulates averaged less than % of the allowable level of 15 mg 1.18 mg 0.18 mg and 0.25 m No Chromates were detected since very little welding or burning was conducted in the shop The majority of Iron Oxide found was present in the form of rust Iron Oxide exposures to the mechanic and apprentice were well below the Per- missible Exposure Limit of 10 m0.26 m0.10 mand 0.14 mg . An asbestos sample was collected during a visual inspection of the brake pads of 15 fire service truck The mechanic wearing a Dustfoe 66 respirator blew off the brakes and drum with an air hose According to his foreman it is not common practice to use an air hose Thus even though his exposure was well below the permissible ceiling limit it could be assumed that his exposure would have been considerably less had proper procedures been followed His exposure to Asbestos was 1.35 fibers while the permissible ceiling limit is 10.00 fibers TMC cay CC W. C. King H. S. Miller T. F. Weir M.D. General Supervisor Environmental Health & Safety USEI000083 OCCUPATION Mechanic Apprentice Apprentice Mechanic MECHANIC AND APPRENTICE MECHANIC EXPOSURES GARAGE AND LOCOMOTIVE CRANE REPAIR STATIONS 10 - 9 and 10 - 79 TABLE I Time Min 421 Total Particulates mg Chromates mg Iron Oxide Asbestos m cc 1.18 0.0 - 0.26 420 0.18 0.0 0.10 - 422 7 0.25 ~- 0.0 - 0.14 [= - 1.35 Substance Total Particulate Chromates Iron Oxide Hour Limit TWA 15 mg 0.05 mg 10.00 ug 2 fibers greater than 5 microns Ceiling Limit - - - 10 fibers greater than 5 microns USEI000084