Document mmKw07nvrpaqb37d1gN5Drmw4

FILE NAME: Z< DATE: DOC#: Z< DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION h^^ZDZZD DZ -. .. . ~ ... ~. UtlI1'EU STATES STEEL CORPORATION <':1./\ I K'I"oN W\'RKS ~. ~;NV[RONHF.NTAL , UALTH SERVICI::S UECUlSER 11, 1979 KD!ORANDUH SUBJECT: Mechanic and Apprentice Mechanic Exposures Garage and Locomotive Crane Repair Station Compensation Claim - Julius Onyika On O~cobcr 9 and 10, 1979, a 8urvey was condUCted by the ~nvironmental and Health-Services Department to determine the exposures of the mechanics and apprentices to Various airborne contamlnants. Criteria: Section 1910.1000 and 1910.1001 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act limita employee exposures to various physical and chemical agents. The Permi1b1e Limits for those substances present 1n the garage and .repair stations are as follows: SUBSTANCE Total Particulates Chromate. Iron Oxide ~sbestos 8-Hour Limit (TWA) 15.00 mg/m3 0.05 mg/m3 10.00 mg/m3 2 fibers/cc Ceiling Limit 10 fibers/cc (greacer 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/m3 0.10 mg/m3 0.14 mg/m3 and an Asbestos exposure of 1_35. "nofibers/cc. The samples collected for chr'omates analyses indicated detectable levels of exposure. Recommendations: As indicated, exposures to Total PartLculate. Chromates. Iron Oxlde. and Asbestos were well below established safe limits; therefore. no precautions need be taken by the mech~nic or mechanic helper against these contaminants. USEI000082 Discusaion: The garage ia.primarily used for motor vehicle repair, an~ general upkeep of motorized equipment such as portable-welders. All t~ of &~rvices are performed. from visual inspections to engine overhauls. The personnel were sampled for exposures to Total Partlculates, Iron Oxide. Chromates. and Asbestos. The Particulates. including Iron Oxide were eV9lved by mechanical attrition. although SOme Iron Oxide may have resulted from the amall amount of burntng 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 Part1culates averaged less than 51 of the allowable level of 15 mg/m3 (1.18 mg/m3,' 0.18 mg/m3 and 0.25 mg/m3). No Chromate. were detected since very little welding or burning was conducted in the shop. The majority of Iron Oxide found wa~ present in the form of ~ust. Iron Oxide exposures to the mechanic and apprentice were well below the Permissible Exposure Limit of 10 ms/m3 (0.26 mg/m3 0.10 mg/m), and 0.14 mg/m3). An asbestos sample was collected during a visual inspection of the brake pads of '15 fire service truek. 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 ce1ling limit, it could be assumed tha~ his exposure would have been considerably less had proper procedures been followed. His exposure to Asbestos was 1.35 fibers/cc while the permissible ceiling limit is 10.00 f1bers/cc. TI1C/cay cc: W. C. King H. S. Miller T. F. Weir, M.D. Ceneral Supervisor Environmental Health & Safety USEI000083 OCCUPATlON Mechanic Apprentice Apprentice Mechanic MECHANIC ~ APPRENTICE MECHA~tC EXPOSURES GARAGE !!Q LOCOMOTIVE ~ REPAIR STATIONS 10 - 9 and 10 - 79 Time (Hin) 421 420 422 7 Total Particulates <m8/ m3 ) Chromates (mg/m3) Iron Oxide (m8/1II3) Asbestos flee 1.18 0.0 0.26 0.18 0.0 0.10 0.25 0.0 0.14 1. 35 Substance: Total Particulate Chromatea Iron Oxide Asbestos 8-Hour Limit (TWA) 15 mg/m3 0.05 mg/m3 10.00 Mg/m) 2 fibers/cc (greater than 5 microns) Ceiling Lill11t lO fibeu/cc (greater than 5 microns) USEr000084