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FILE NAME Brakes BRK DATE 1981 DOC BRK138 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION US Government Report - Assessment of Asbestos Concentration on Marine Vessels Maintenance and Repair 930-81027 FEBRUARY 1981 ASSESSMENT OF ASBESTOS CONCENTRATION ON MARINE VESSELS MAINTENANCE AND measurements Add mont 2 p 436 valves U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Technical Report ASSESSMENT OF ASBESTOS CONCENTRATION ON MARINE VESSELS MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR eee Oe Prepared By David R. Jones IIT Research Institute 10 West 35th Street Chicago Illinois 60616 February 1981 Prepared For U.S. Department of Commerce Maritime Administration Office of Research and Development Rate Fd oral ~ CONTENTS a 2 i i Foreword '... . . et eweee List of Tables ee ee . . ee 1. SUMMARY 2... eee ete 2. INTRODUCTION 3. CONTAINING MATERIALS 2... ..020C+~~ * ' e@' # ' 4. PROCEDURES .. we eee 4.1 Protective Devices . 4.2 Sampling ... eee ee eee 4.3 4.4 Analysis . os. Quality Assurance .....0.0202., 5. TEST OPERATIONS AND RESULTS . ., 5.1 Lagging and Pipe Repairs . 5.2 Welding Operations 5.3 Brake Cleaning and Operation . 5.4 Valve Rebuilding Operations .. 5.5 Cleaning and Miscellaneous Operations . 5.6 Background Measurements 5.7 Evaluation of Safety Precautions . 5.8 Discussion of Operations .. 6. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .. . ll dl; 6.1 Conclusions ....04., 6.2 Recommendations Report Optional Form Documentation vii Potential Sources of Asbestos Aboard Ship Partial List . Asbestos Categories 1... wee ee ee et eet Empirical Ranking of Exposure Potential During Repair or Maintenance of Containing Shipboard Materials . . Test Operation Test Operation Pipe Lagging Removal and Replacement Pipe Repair Operations Removal and Dismantling of Pipe Systems Test Operation Welding Operations .... 7 Test Operation Brake Operations Test Operation Valve Repair and Gasket Cutting . 23 23 9 Test Operation Clean After Lagging Repair . 2525 10 10 Operation Clean From Piping Repair 11 11 Test Operation Monitoring of Engineroom Personnel Background Engineroom Samples Viii ~. 1. SUMMARY The objective of this study was to identify exposures of shipboard personnel to airborne asbestos fibers during typical board repair and maintenance operations Asbestos fibers have been causally related to several respiratory diseases and were extensively used in shipbuilding until 1975. A previous study detected the presence of low concentrations of asbestos in ships enginerooms This present study measured the exposure levels to the ships personnel performing routine maintenence tions are made on how to modify work practices and the tion control and personal protective devices operations Recommendaapplication of ventilarespirators first asbestos fibers aboard ship and to rank the probability of disturbing the containing material Literature sources were reviewed and asbestos- containing materials were evaluated for fiber releasability frequency of a disturbance and categorization of materials This effort resulted in the selection of the following operations as candidates for evaluation * pipe lagging repair * boiler or turbine insulation repair + clutch or brake maintenance hotel system repair - * electrical rewiring and repair * welding operations The final selection from the list of candidate operations was done two trips on U.S. Flag other a North Atlantic Vessels One trip was a long coastal voyage trip The actual tests monitored were and during the * pipe lagging repair * pipe repair ' * welding operations * Jones D. Assessment of Asbestos Concentrations in the Engineroom Environment of Marine Vessels Phase I IIT Research Institute Report J6449001 IIT Research Institute Chicago Ill 60616. 1979 1  brake cleaning and operation - valve rebuilding operations clean procedures for asbestos waste In addition the ships background fiber concentration and the exposure of crew members standing watches were measured The samples were analyzed using the Occupational Health and Safety Administration OSHA specified procedure enumerates all fibers NIOSH Analytical Method CAM 239.2 greater than 5 ...m in length present This on filter samples using contrast microscopy The method does not specifically identify asbestos fibers The fiber counts obtained are combined with the volume of air filtered to determine the concentration of fibers in the air The concentration fibers centimeter fibers of air then compared to two limits The first is the hour time weighted average and the second is the ceiling exposure limit CEL both defined in 29 THA CFR 1910.1001 Currently the limits are 2.0 fibers for the TWA and 10.0 , fibers for the CEL The results of the fiber enumeration showed that during several test operations concentrations exceeding 2.0 fibers were measured These operations were performed over short time periods If these or similar operations were conducted over an hour time period the exposure levels would exceed the OSHA TWA limit One test situation brake cleaning resulted in exposures in violation of the OSHA CEL for airborne asbestos fibers A concentration of about 70 fibers was measured during cleaning which used velocity air to blow the accumulated dust out of the brake box The cleaning of brake enclosures using forced air blowing should be stopped The following procedures resulted in airborne fiber concentrations above the 2.0 fibers limit and are considered potentially hazardous operations_ depending on the duration of the operation 2 U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Revised Recommended Asbestos Standards 77-169 1977. Available from Public Health Service Robert H. Taft Laboratories 4676 Columbia Parkway Cincinnati OH 45268 2 7 . : . : r piping clean after up to 3.4 fibers or lagging repair with broom of * operation an open brake drum inside the ship 2.1 fibers welding 5 fibers Currently OSHA has proposed a reduction of the TWA to 0.5 fibers If this proposed change in the rule becomes effective the term potentially hazardous operation will also apply to lagging removal 0.2-1.1 fibers vacuum clean of piping repair waste 0.2-0.9 fibers Background quarters of the method On two samples collected in various areas of ship were below or near the detection the engineroom and living limit for the analytical successive nights however higher levels of airborne fibers were detected in the engineroom fidley Four samples of twelve collected on two nights showed tration being 1.0 elevated fiber concentrations with the highest fiber concenfibers The cause of the elevated levels is believed to be the lagging on a vertical pipe entering the bottom of the deaerator which had eroded to the extent that the insulation inside the wrapping had worn to an eliptical shape almost touching the outside wrap Since the affected samples were collected on successive nights the elevated airborne fiber levels existed for 24 hours This type of potential exposure could could contribute term health effects probably to long- The following conclusions are drawn from the study * It is unlikely that the OSHA TWA of 2.0 fibers is exceeded during routine repair by ship's personnel The current practice of blowing dust from brake enclosures exceeds the CEL limit and is not a safe work practice + The next highest exposures were measured during - clean after repairs : There are many sources of exposure to airborne fibers during routine repair and maintenance operations involving containing materials  A housekeeping problem is present as a result of open brake operation in ventilated areas generation Spontaneous generation Spontaneous of of concentration can result ssigniifgicannt isignifficant isicgnaifincatnt airborne airborne airborne from eroding lagging by the ship's motion or vibration fiber fiber fiber caused - Disposable or powered respirators are adequate protection during most repairs involving asbestoscontaining materials * Work rules to minimize emissions can be readily formulated The following recommendations are made * Respirators should be used when cutting or exerting mechanical force on containing materials * Clean should use vacuum cleaners equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air HEPA filters or wet methods to minimize emissions Vacuum cleaners with efficiency filters should not be used - Control of access to repair areas should be part of each type of task Scrap and dust generated during repairs should be contained by drop cloths and local ventilation - Procedures for the disposal of containing materials should be developed and implemented - Stricter personal hygiene procedures should be adopted the procedures should include methods to change and launder outer clothing extensive wash or shower before eating or smoking after working with containing materials and a continuing education program to alert the personnel to the potential hazards of asbestos Consideration of local exhaust ventilation in the shop areas to prevent accumulation of dust which may contain asbestos fibers 2. INTRODUCTION There There is anan increasing increasing increasing increasing awareness of the significance of environmental factors in causing illness The fibrous minerals known as asbestos used in many applications and products have entered the environment in both occupa- tional and occupational settings The lung disease asbestosis and some cancers of the lung abdomen and other parts of the body are clearly related to asbestos exposure. Asbestos was used in the shipbuilding industry shipyard workers both those who worked directly with asbestos and those who were indirectly exposed have a higher incidence of asbestos diseases than the general population Recently there is evidence that some ships personnel are exhibiting symptoms typical of asbestos exposure This evidence led to the study Assessment of Asbestos Concentrations in the Engineroom Environment of Marine Vessels Phase I with the limited objective of establishing the feasibility of measurement methods and developing a plan to survey the U.S. Merchant Marine fleet The study was conducted by IIT Research Institute for the U.S. Maritime Administration under Contract No. 5-38072 The final report on the study was issued in January 1979. This study found airborne asbestos fibers in the enginerooms of ships The measured fiber concentrations were well below current and proposed regulations governing the occupational exposure to workers However no safe level of asbestos has been established and it is impossible at this time to confidently estimate the degree of risk associated with level exposures The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA and the scientific community 3 Anon Containing Materials in School Buildings A Guidance Document Part I U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Toxic Substances Washington D.C. 20460. March 1979 * Selikoff I.J. et al Asbestos Disease in United States Shipyards Annals . of the New York Academy of Science Vol 330 1979. of Science 2 East 63rd St. New York N.Y. 10021 The New Academy 5 Dr. Robert N. Jones Testimony before the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Navigation Available from the subcommittee librarian H2550 House Annex 2 Washington D.C. * See Reference 1 page 1 See Reference 2 page 2 _ ON A - r ge t ta 0 believe that any exposure to asbestos involves a degree of risk Critique of the Phase I study indicated that an extensive program to assess asbestos fiber concentrations aboard ship was needed More crucial however was the deter- mination of asbestos exposures during routine repair and sea maintenance operations involving containing materials Therefore the current study was undertaken The objectives of the current study were to define the repair or maintenance operations which could result in potentially hazardous exposures to air- borne asbestos concentrations to test several typical operations and to provide data needed to improve work rules and practices that would reduce or eliminate potentially hazardous exposures During the study the major uses of asbestoscontaining materials aboard ship were identified Repair and maintenance operations involving containing materials were performed under existing work practices albeit with adequate worker protection Samples were collected to determine exposure levels and work practices were observed to determine where revisions might reduce asbestos exposure Asbestos in the workplace is regulated by the Occupational Safety and _ Health Administration OSHA The current OSHA time weighted average TWA for an hour exposure is 2.0 fibers greater than 5 ...m in length The ceiling exposure limit CEL is 10 fibers Reduction in the permissible levels is under consideration * The current limits are found in 1910.1001 6 a 3. CONTAINING MATERIALS extensively during Asbestos and asbestos containing Asbestos and asbestos containing materials were used the construction of ships from World War II until recently Ships completed as late as 1975 contain some asbestos materials The uses of asbestos board ships are numerous due to the excellent fire retardancy resistance to thermal degradation and durability of asbestos fibers Table 1 lists materials containing asbestos which may be found aboard ship is given the numerical rankings mean A releasability ranking 1 Free fibers locked in at all 2. Fibers locked in but releasable in normal use or where handling is such that intentional abrasion cutting sanding etc. is expected to occur Fiber release may occur if there is a defect in the product's performance 3. Fibers locked in and not likely to be released in normal use Potential for release exists if a user engaged in rtieopnaiorccuarcscidbeenctaaulse aobfraasgiionng morodwiefairciantgioonf tor he ifprdoedtuecrtiora- 4 Fibers locked in and unlikely to be released under almost all foreseeable circumstances Table 1. POTENTIAL SOURCES OF ASBESTOS ABOARD SHIPS6 Partial List Source Pipe lagging and wraps Gloves Paint Gaskets Fire retardant wallboard Floor tile Spray thermal insulation Electrical insulation Electrical tapes Releasability Ranking 2 2 Ase P. et al Exposure to Asbestos IITRI Report No. 06438C01 IIT Research Substances Institute Chicago IL 60616. February 8 1979. Special Report prepared for Office of Toxic USEPA Grant R806269010 USEPA Washington D.C. 7 Simpson F. Memorandum U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission 1978 May 1978 1978 1978 7 27) 2 eo re In consultation with persons having shipboard experience the asbestos- containing materials board ships were placed in the following categories Pipe lagging and wraps - Spreadable insulation turbine Friction products clutch " Caulks and joint compounds ; * Personal protection fighting suits Construction materials Miscellaneous An estimate of the maintenance frequency and dust emission level of typical operations performed at sea with containing materials in each of the above categories is given in Table 2. Frequent maintenance work includes repair of pipe insulation welding gasket making repacking valves and the use of gloves High dust levels are associated with repairs involving welding spreadable insulation friction materials and pipe insulation Several attempts were made shown in Table 2. However the to rank current the exposure potential for each category data base was judged insufficient to support a sound ranking system In addition shipboard observations showed that large variations existed the spatial restrictions in the physical condition of very under which repair or maintenance similar materials was performed and the ventilation in the areas Based on the limited maintenance opera- tions observed and sampled during this program an empirical exposure rank was developed Table 3. The exposure rank indicates the relative exposure from current work practices and serves to set priorities for reducing or eliminating exposure to airborne asbestos fibers Note that cleaning the brake housing an infrequent maintenance practice sea and clean after insulation repair a frequent practice head the list Type of Material Pipe Insulation Lagging Wraps , Trowled or Spread Insulation Boilers Turbines Friction Materials Clutches or Brakes Caulks & Joint Compounds Air Duct Joints Personal Protective Devices Gloves _ Construction Materials Marinite Wallboard Transite Electrical Enclosures Paints Welding Miscellaneous Gaskets Packing Floor Tile Frequency of Repair Maintenance or Use Dust Level High High Low Low Low Low Moderate to high - Low High during only High removal Very high High dust frequently located in poorly ventilated areas High Low Low Low Low Low High High High Low Moderate Moderate Moderate High Low Low Low 9 Table 3 EMPIRICAL RANKING OF EXPOSURE POTENTIAL DURING y REPAIR OR MAINTENANCE OF ASBESTOS CONTAINING * SHIPBOARD MATERIALS - Type of Repair or Maintenance Cleaning of Brake Housing Cleaning after Insulation Repair Handling Containing Scrap Removal of Insulation Reinsulating Procedures Shop Operations with Noninsulation Routine Clean of Area Materials Rank H 2 3 4 5 6 7 Using existing work practices 10 : 4. PROCEDURES The equipment the sampling and analytical procedures used in this study are described Safety and personal protective devices are discussed in Section 4.1 sampling and analytical equipment and procedures are discussed in Section 4.2 Quality Assurance is discussed in Section 4.3 4.1 PROTECTIVE DEVICES The test plans included provisions to protect both the ships personnel and IITRI engineers from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers The protective devices available included MSA 9910 disposable face masks * MSA Type F powered respirators * W298-50 system half compressed air respirators * Tyvek Model 2127Z impermeable hooded jump suits with attached Model 2200 shoes * Plastic sheeting and bags for containment of asbestoscontaining wastes contaminated filters respirators and clothing Although no specific regulations are in place for shipboard repair tenance operations the protective equipment was selected based on the guidelines appearing in 29 CFR 1910.1001 The protective equipment was made available to the ships personnel IITRI recommended but could not mandate its use The Tyvek jump suit was unsuitable for use The maintenance operations were in the warmer restricted in parts of the engineroom scale in part by consider- ation of ships personnel safety and decontamination problems 4.2 SAMPLING 4.2.1 Personal Samples Both MSA Model G and DuPont Model 4000 operated personal sampling pumps were used to sample the airborne dust levels Samples were collected on Millipore 37 mm diameter 0.45 um pore size membrane filters at flowrates from 1.7 to 2.5 liters per minute 2pm The filter holders were 11 Chemina enhance airborne airborne fiber fiber concentration concentration concentration concentration concentration phase CIS The The method method method required by required by the the OcOcccuuppaattioinaoOlccunpatioanal lOccupational Safety Safety Safety and and procedure the the is NIOSH procedure described described described in OHEN NIOSH NIOSH NIOSH procedure described described OHEN NIOSH . fibers fibers fibers greater than all all Basically Basically mote - Basically Basically . Basically Basicaly all fibers greater than fibers : _ mmicriosccopr y omicsrosccopy opy a at t 40 -50 X microscopy ; . - ane Filter is : between between the the the fibers fibers fibers asbestos of asbestos asbestos asbestos asbestos asbestos asbestos workers izion izion ppositove sitive identification identification identification identification identification identification reported reported reported hus reported hus represents #iger #iger :) ntration ) ] ntration ntration ntration nnttrraatitoinon ntration will will be be 4 ara = oaconios maximum and and _ < Ta . Preparation Prior Prior Prior Prior counting counting to counting counting counting the the a fibers fibers a cheard cheard cheard The The clearing clearing processprocess process process involves involves - J Ster is is from from from saturating saturating saturating the saturating saturating saturating saturating the eet oY Le pores of the the structure structure A solvent mixture mixture re Bee : ey no n n - ee 0a ter oc ter dichloroethane and dioxane is dichloroethane and p dioxane is saturated saturated saturated saturated saturated saturated collapsed collapsed collapsed collapsed used used used collapsed collapsed as as ret ret . eee aa . eu . ~ oe - Membrane Document Document ) Document Document Document Filver Filver Document Document 76-187 76-187 76-187 Millipore 755012 Millipore Filter Corporation Milipore Milipore Filter Corporation Bedford MA Bedford Corpation Asbestos ne - - o - 4 PROCEDURES The equipment the sampling and analytical procedures used in this study are described Safety and personal protective devices are discussed in Section 4.1 sampling and analytical equipment and procedures are discussed in Section 4.2 Quality Assurance is discussed in Section 4.3 4.1 PROTECTIVE DEVICES The test plans included provisions to protect both the ships personnel and IITRI engineers from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers The protective devices available included MSA 9910 disposable face masks * MSA Type F powered respirators * W298-50 system face compressed air respirators Tyvek Model 2127Z impermeable hooded jump suits with attached Model 2200 shoes * Plastic sheeting and bags for containment of asbestoscontaining wastes contaminated filters respirators and clothing Although no specific regulations are in place for shipboard repair tenance operations the protective equipment was selected based on the guidelines appearing in 29 CFR 1910.1001 The protective equipment was made available to the ships personnel IITRI recommended but could not mandate its use The Tyvek jump suit was unsuitable for use The maintenance operations were in the warmer restricted in parts of the engineroom scale in part by consider- ation of ships personnel safety and decontamination problems 4.2 SAMPLING 4.2.1 Personal Samples Both MSA Model G and DuPont Model 4000 operated personal sampling pumps were used to collected on Millipore fi 37 sample the airborne dust levels Samples were mm diameter 0.45 um pore size membrane filters at flowrates from 1.7 to 2.5 liters per minute 2pm The filter holders were 11 Fieg PS placed onto a clean glass microscope slide cleared by exposure to acetone vapors and a drop of 1.505 refractive index fluid added The preparation is completed by covering the cleared filter with a clean coverslip The clearing procedure differs from the one recommended in the NIOSH procedure its advantage is a permanent sample mount Lightly loaded samples present the microscopist with the special problem of locating and maintainitnhge filter surface in the focal plane oxide spheres 1 ...m in diameter were added to these samples to insure that counts were made in the correct plane Blank samples with the iron oxide spheres demonstrated that no artifact fibers were introduced with the spheres This procedure is similar to the addition of aluminum oxide particles to the suspensions used for preparation of the PAT samples PAT described in Section 4.4 Quality Assurance 4.3.2 Counting Rules Prescribed fiber counting rules are used to assure valid statistical results Fields of view are selected selected for fiber counting at random along a traverse line The fields of view are defined by a Porton graticle placed in the eyepiece ofthe microscope The graticle is calibrated using a stage micrometer The specific counting rules are 1. All fibers particles with an aspect ratio of 1 completely contained in the field of view and over 5 ...m in length are counted 2. Fibers with one end within the field of view and over 5 ...m in length are counted as fibers 3. A minimum of 20 fields of view are counted to insure valid counting statistics 4. Counting continues until 100 fibers are enumerated or 100 fields are examined 4.3.3 Computations The concentration of airborne fibers is computed using the following equation where FA C nevs airborne fiber concentration fibers number of fibers counted in all fields of view 13 5. TEST OPERATIONS AND RESULTS The test plan submitted during the early portion of this program identified sources of containing materials aboard ship and the routine maintenance tasks associated with these materials that were performed by n ships personnel at sea The final selection of tasks to be monitored was made site based on both crew availability and location of a suitable site The tasks monitored were " Lagging repair Piping repair| Welding * Enclosed brake box cleaning . Open brake operation + Valve rebuilding In addition clean procedures and ships background fiber levels were monitored 5.1 LAGGING AND PIPE REPAIRS Two separate repairs involvinginvolving lagging lagging were carried out during this during program These repairs are described below 5.1.1 Lagging Repair Operations short section of steam pipe immediately behind a valve was partially exposed The steam line was not active during the repair thus everything was cold The exposed section was irregular and it to cut away a portion of the existing lagging prior to repair section of lagging was removed and the end squared off a total was necessary After an 8 in length of about 18 in of new lagging was installed Personnel Protection and Sampling to beginning the test activity a respirator powered issued to each of the crew members performing the test Both the crew members and IITRI personnel decided against using the impermeable Tyvek suits on the basis of the small size of the operation and the potential for heat stress in the area 15 preparing In respirator for this task one crew member had difficulty in fitting the With assistance the respirator was fitted and sealed before the beginning the test The experience brought home an important fact facial characteristics of various personnel must be considered when selecting styles and sizes for respirator inventories _ During the repair task the crew member performing the test observers wore personal samplers Two area monitors one upwind and the two of the repair site and one downwind were also operated The filters were changed at specified intervals to obtain samples representing the following activities - removal of the old lagging installation of the new lagging clean after initial removal of the large pieces of lagging and gross dustremoval Additional area samples were collected during the time the area was hosed down and mopped Background samples had been acquired prior to the repair The results of the test samples are shown in Table 4. The highest value 0.87 fibers was measured directly downwind of the work area The worker and observer were exposed to lower levels of airborne fibers Table 4 TEST OPERATION PIPE LAGGING REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT Code 010211 Type Area 010208 010221 010220 010215 010214 010215 Area Personal Personal Personal Area Area Duration min 24 24 24 24 24 37 37 Sample Location or Description Approximately 3 from work area air draft toward this pump Approximately 7 from work area Observer upwind side of test area downwind of work area Worker sample as 010211 as 012008 Samples taken after lagging repair and prior to cleanup Fiber Concentration cc 0.87 0.08 ND 0.19 0.08 0.09 ND * ND = no fibers detected sample during period independent The [ The collected this this period is considered independent is considered an test operation in the category of cleaning practices A 16 5.1.2 Pipe Repairs ~ The pipe repair task consisted of repairs to an line strainer and valve in the steam whistle system This repair was performed in the system could not be isolated and shut down at sea American port since . Flag vessels do not use shore personnel in foreign ports except for essential repairs thus this task was within the purview of the program The section of 1 in pipe which required stripping was about 15 in in length The lagging was badly deteriorated due to a steam leak however the lagging was dry The stripped lagging covered a short length of pipe a valve and an line strainer After stripping the lagging inspection showed that the only steam leak was from the strainer seal thus the valve was not torn down The strainer seal was repaired a new gasket installed and the parts reassembled The steam line and fittings were cleaned for relagging The replacement lagging was clearly labeled asbestos free and was therefore not included in the test Personnel Protection to the test each person whose presence was required was fitted with either a disposable asbestos approved respirator or a face powered respirator The deck mechanic performing the repair was instructed to take special precautions to avoid dropping the lagging and to wash thoroughly preferably to shower and change clothes immediately upon completion of the task Sampling to the specific geometry of the test site the deck mechanic was not fitted with a personal sampler However one IITRI observer was stationed within 3-4 feet of the operation and a second approximately 6-9 feet away Both IITRI observers wore personal samplers Three area samplers were located in the area removal another near One one of the samplers was placed within exhaust duct and the third about 2 feet of the 10-12 feet from the operation The third sampler was mounted on a rail in the center of the access route to the work area through the deck below the work area and at a height of about 5-6 feet above the deck The results of analysis of the samples are presented in Table 5 The highest fiber concentration 1.14 fibers was measured at the exhaust ventilator intake The exposure of the worker and observer were about 17 4=4 aa _ te = 4 | 0.4 fibers This was higher than the exposures measured during the lagging repair test which averaged 0.14 fibers Table 5. TEST OPERATION PIPE REPAIR OPERATIONS-LAGGING REMOVAL AND DISMANTLING OF PIPE SYSTEMS Code 010405 Type Area 010713 010718 010506 010719 010507 Area Area Area Personal Personal Duration min Sample Location Location or Description Description 360 360 23 23 Background prior to operations Breathing zone near repair site Background near exhaust ventilator Near repair area Near exhaust ventilator intake 23 ~= 23 Os bserver near worker feet Observer about 7 from worker just below exhaust intake Fiber Concentration cc 0.05 0.01 0.50 1.14 0.35 0.44 5.2 WELDING OPERATIONS The welding operations were evaluated in two steps first in the shop where a new support frame for the emergency radio was assembled and second during the installation of the support frame to the deck in the emergency generator room The material being welded was standard angle iron to itself and to the ships deck It has not been determined whether or not the welding rods used contained asbestos as part of the outer flux coating Both area and personal samples were collected at each location The personal sampler worn by the welder was attached to his shirt front outside his welder's helmet Personal protective devices for asbestos were not used during the welding tests IITRI judged the exposure levels to be low in the welding areas and felt the welder's helmet afforded some protection Significant quantities of fumes were emitted during the welding operations In addition to a potential asbestos hazard welding fluxes emit fluorides and metal fumes which are of industrial hygiene concern especially in poorly 18 ventilated or enclosed areas One common technique used to control welding fume emissions is to incorporate a local exhaust ventilation system into the welding electrode Such equipment is commercially available and can be readily adapted to shipboard use Its capability to remove asbestos fibers can be measured and if required improved Such equipment could reduce several potential health problems The results are presented in Table 6 . Table 6. TEST OPERATION WELDING OPERATIONS Code Type Duration min Sample Location or Description Fiber Concentration cc 010404 Personal 16 010606 Area 26 010511 010522 Personal Area 10 120 010722 Area 120 4 Worn by observer acting as assistant Dust background during set for welding port wall 15 from test site Worn by observer acting as assistant Port wall from test site 2 hr sample following test Port followed previous area sample 4.5-5.0 est 0.2 2.2 est 0.4 0.2 * Concentration too heavy to count accurately due to loading large total particle Two of these samples 010404 and 010511 presented the analyst with a special problem Welding fumes form straight chain agglomerates These chain agglomerates are counted as fibers when adhering strictly to the NIOSH procedure The the 10 fiber concentrations reported are estimates of the fibers present excluding welding agglomerate artifacts The concentrations reported represent about of the total fiber count obtained using the NIOSH procedure Due to the difficulty in the analysis and the heavy it was concluded that these tests do not loading of fibrous metal fumes permit the assessment of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers from welding operations It is again mentioned that welding produces fluoride and heavy containing fumes that are subject to OSHA regulations 19 19 5.3 BRAKE CLEANING AND OPERATION One of the most common uses of asbestos is in friction materials such as brake shoes and clutches Asbestos emissions resulting from a large number of brake applications have been measured in the ambient air near toll collection points by Murchio During one voyage an open brake drum in an enclosed minimal ventilation cordage storage area was tested as was a winch motor whose brake was enclosed * 5.3.1 Enclosed Brake Box Cleaning - It was determined that the anchor winch brake box had not been opened for cleaning or repair for slightly over one year and arrangements to clean the brake enclosure were made The method suggested was to moisten the dust and then brush or wipe the dust into a bucket of water The assigned personnel elected to use a portable blower to save time High exposure levels were anticipated from this air blowing technique and all nonessential personnel were removed from the area those whose presence was required were stationed upwind of the operation and fitted with respirators ERNE ERNE 8, ten or Me 9 Oe AN e ee ee ee ena Oe Te vnmer oak operator's legs on the opposite side of the cloud The operation was interrupted and not completed for two reasons + the presence of rain squalls in the area rs or > the intervention of the first engineer at IITIIRTRII''sITRI'ss request to cease the test Even though the cloud dissipated rapidly it was the concensus of the technical mae observers that an alternative technique must be developed to clean enclosed brake boxes confirmed by That the potential exposure the visible discoloration of from this operation was high the area sampler filter was The sample collected from the dust cloud presented an analytical problem Since it was very heavily loaded with material a dilution step was necessary prior to analysis of the sample A wedge representing fourth of the Murchio J.C. et al Asbestos Fibers in Ambient Air of one California Air Resources Board Sacramento CA. March 1973 eT 20 OR we filter was cut and suspended in particle water an ultrasonic bath was used to remove the particles from the filter wedge and suspend them in the water The suspended particles were filtered onto a second filter which after drying was analyzed in the usual manner The accuracy of the result result given given given in in in Table value 7 is considered due to losses of to be 25 to 30 with a tendency to be material during the dilution process below the true Code 010513 010501 v Type Area Area Table 7. TEST OPERATION BRAKE OPERATIONS Sample Duration _ min Location or Description 4 Approximate 1 ft from dirty area of brake 4 Within 10-12 of operating open brake drum The brake was operated 10 times in a 10 min period . Fiber Concentration cc 70 est 2.09 * This sample was heavily loaded and the sample could only be counted after a fourfold dilution The concentration level 70 fibers found in the cloud generated by blowing out the brake enclosure was the highest found during the study and exceeded the ceiling exposure of 10 fibers forced air blowing should be stopped It is concluded that brake cleaning by 5.3.2 Open Brake Operation The winch used to had an open brake drum release during braking take the hawser used at the dock to tie the ship located in a room in the stern of the ship Asbestos has been a matter for controversy in the scientific community One report to asbestos minerals states by the that the asbestos in temperature rise due brake linings is coverted to the friction during operation Another study shows a significant rise in ambient asbestos levels observed near toll booths where use of vehicle brakes is mandated Since 11 Jacko M.G. et al 81 38-40 1973 Bow Much Asbestos Do Vehicles Emis Auto Engr 21 it is possible that fiber emissions may result from use of an open brake a -test was made to measure fiber emissions during use of the brake An area sampling pump was set up with the filter face filter was suspended down at a suspended near the brake distance of 12-15 in from The the opennearest edge and of the during brake shoe a minute The test personnel went to the controls on the stern period operated the winch ten times The sample was then secured and the test operation ended As can be seen in Table 7 the operation of the open brake produced concentrations of 2.09 fibers If personnel were exposed to this concentra- tion for an hour period the OSHA standard of 2 fibers would be exceeded While use of the brake system results in allowable fiber concentrations in the room during operation the airborne asbestos of the fibers winch the lack of adequate generated will result in an ventilation to remove accumulation of asbestos fibers in the area through settling These settled emissions can be reentrained when the area is cleaned or the cordage disturbed for use The material can also spread throughout the ship and It isrecommended that brake to prevent direct such rooms be unoccupied during exposures or the brake enclosed use of the winch to eliminate the direct emissions The latter solution is dependent on the development of brake cleaning techniques combining dry vacuum cleaning wet wiping drop cloths and other good housekeeping practices This action would eliminate open brakes as sources of airborne asbestos emissions within the working and living quarters of ships as well as avoid extreme exposures during routine cleaning of the enclosed brakes located on the open deck 5.4 VALVE REBUILDING OPERATIONS There are several steps required to remove rebuild and reinstall a valve or to regasket a flange two of the more common performed repairs involving containing materials The basic steps required are valve or flange removal flange cleaning and packing removal * gasket cutting packing cutting and shaping valve repair only assembly installation 22 The first two and last two steps are part of pipe and insulation repairs The shop operations of gasket cutting for the flanges and preparing new packing rings for valves are the steps included in this test A valve was selected for the test from the spare parts storage area The valve was a 2 in packed valve The worker spent time attempting to cut two gaskets for the flanges material was labeled as from an old dried piece of gasket material containing asbestos and tore rather than cut This The gaskets were then cut from Everseal HP jointing material which also had an asbestos caution label The gaskets were cut using a pin and blade compass device Each gasket required an inside and outside cut The bolt hole locations were marked and the material removed using a punch 1 In preparation for fabrication of the packing rings the worker brushed the scraps and crumbs of gasket material out of his way The packing rings were prepared by tightly wrapping packing around the valve stem seven or eight times cutting the rings to length and flattening the square packing with a hammer prior to shaping the circular rings The tools used were a homemade knife sharpened hacksaw blade and a hammer Samples of the two gasket materials shop area samples and personal samples measuring the exposure of the worker were obtained during this operation The results of analysis of the air samples are given in Table 8 Table 8. TEST OPERATION VALVE REPAIR AND GASKET CUTTING Code 010505 010502 Type Personal Area 010501 Area Sample Duration min Location or Description 33 Worn by operations participant 29 Near work bench about 5 from operations 360 Background after test includes clean Fiber Concentration cc 0.23 0.17 0.02 23 23 ^' of of exposure exposureexposuerxeposure exposure found foundfoundfoundfound were were were low lowlow , well well wel wel below below below below the the fibersfibers / the level the ( 2.0 2.02.0 fibers fibers fibers fibers and ) cccc andand : a the the proposed proposed proposed propospedroposepdroposedproposed OSHA OSHA OSHA levellevel level intersting detcion interestinginteresting interesting interesting interesting interesting interesting interestinginteresting about aboutabout about about this this thisthis test test test test is is thethethe detectiondetection detection detection detction detection detection of of fiber fiber that rules detcion While While While While this this this this test test shows showsshowsshows thatthatthat that accordinagccording according according according acording to to test levl lev l logic in in an acceptableaceptable acceptable aceptable aceptable aceptable aceptable exposurexposure exposure exposurexposureexposureexposure exposure levellevel , logic logic logic logic and and and experience experience experience experience an aceptable clean gasket gasket gasket gasket removalremovarlemovalremoval removal removal from from a flange flange flange or or clean clean clean clean - out , ofof aged aged aged aged packing indicate indicate would operations operations Another out valve valve wouldwould would be farfarfar dustier dustier dustier dustier dustier dustier operationsoperations operations operations operations operatioonsperations . AnotheArnother Another Another Another Another important important important important important important fact would indicates indcates betwen between between betweebnetweenbetween the areaarea area and personaplersonal personal personal personal personal samplesasmplessamples samples samples samples samples , which which which indicatesindicates the relatively personal conetraion relatively uniform shop shop work work areaarea area waswas was at at a relatively relatively relatively relativelyrelatively relatively uniform uniform uniform uniform uniform concentratiocnoncentration concentrationconcentration concentration concentration concentration concentration concentration concentration . work cored during during during during during during the the the study studystudy study study . SpecificaSlpeycifical ySpecificaly Specificaly Specifcaly Specificaly Specifcaly Specificaly SpecificalySpecifical ySpecifcaly Specificaly , theytheytheythey areare are : ? } * clean clean clean - up up fromfrofmromfrom the the the piping piping piping piping piping piping andandand routine routine routine routine routine routine routine cleaningcleanig cleanincgleaning cleaning cleanig cleaning cleaning byby a wiper wiper wiper wiper wiper repairs lagginlgagginlgagginglag ing laging lagging laging repairs repairs repairs repairs repairs repairs standers during during during the the the night night watchwatch watch watch watch during measure measure measure measure measure measure airborne airborne airborne airborneairborne airborne airborneairborne Fiber Fiber Fiber Fiber Fiber attributable atributable atributable atributable atributable atributable atributable atributable atributable atributable atributable at ributable to to all all all and and and the the the night night night night watch watch activities activities activities activities activities activities activities activities activities activities , includ includ includ includ includ includ 7 a (5 . oX tht - f During During During During the the the day day day work work work work period period period period period period , no no repair During control control control control area area area area . , r repair a ) 40 - 1} " PisingPising Pising Pising Pising Pising andanad nd Lagging Lagging Lagging LaggingLagging Lagging Lagging Repair RepairRepairRepair RepairRepair CleanCleanClean Clean Clean -Up Up were were were two two repairs repairs reparires pairs repairs repairs repairs performed performed performed performed performed pperformeed rformed performed duringduringduring during during during requires containg two materials The were asbestos - containing containing containing containing containing containg containing containing waste waste waste waste materials . The on relay relay or or , oO. : : 24 24 bucket The scraps were thrown or dropped into the scrap buckets with no precautions taken to minimize dust release After the larger picked up the two clean procedures diverged In one instance the into a dust pan and dumped into superficial dust and smaller chips were swept the scrap bucket In the other clean procedure a standard shop vacuum was used to pick up the dust from all sur- faces including adjacent equipment and the personnel This procedure should have been superior to the first but the vacuum either had a faulty bag or the the bag air was an inefficient filter A visible dust cloud could from the vacuum cleaner exhaust This resuspension of be seen entering dust into the air where it can be inhaled is unsatisfactory unsatisfactory The vacuum cleaner should be powerful and fitted with a High Efficiency Particulate Air HEPA filter Under these conditions a vacuum cleaner is the best available dry cleaning method The crew that used a Preliminary data indicate Improper application of a wet down and wash away broom completed cleaning by hosing the area that the hose may have been too vigorous water jet can aerosolize the dust it is intended to Table 9 presents the results of samples collected during the lagging repair clean Table 10 presents the results of samples collected during the clean after the piping repair Table 9. TEST OPERATION CLEAN UP AFTER LAGGING REPAIR Code 010210 010219 010218 010212 010213 010223 010222 Type Area Ss Area Personal Personal Personal Area Area Duration min 4 4 4 4 4 120 120 Sample Location or Description Approximately3 downwind of repair Approximately 7 upwind of repair downwind of clean Observer area of clean This pump failed to function properly 3 from work area 7 from work included the final hosedown * ND = No fibers detected 25 Fiber Concentration cc 2.5 2.6 3.3 2.4 - NO 0.12 Table 10. TEST OPERATION CLEAN FROM PIPING REPAIR Code Type 010912 = 010720 010917 Area = Area Area 010716 Personal 010508 010701 Personal Personal Duration min 22 22 22 22 22 4 Sample Location or Description Located one deck below repair site , Near exhaust ventilator intake Near repair site Observer near wiper cleaning up lagging Observer near vacuum cleaner exhaust Worker transferring lagging waste for final disposal 3-5 min period during which clouds of dust were visible Fiber Concentration cc 0.11 0.85 0.27 0.24 1.92 3.40 The clean procedures following the two operations involving the removal of pipe lagging show some of the highest exposure levels measured during the program The magnitude of the exposure levels suggests that asbestos waste clean procedures are inadequate and need to be modified Dry sweeping or ee e dumping of these wastes should be avoided since exposure OSHA limit for an hour work shift may be generated levels exceeding the The vacuum clean of the work area after the piping repair operation e generated exposure levels lower than after the lagging repair The greatest exposure was near the vacuum cleaner and resulted from dust penetrating the ee filter bag Attachment of a more efficient filter such as a HEPA filter to the vacuum cleaner is recommended for clean of containing debris 5.5.2 Routine Duties of a Wiper - During one watch a wiper wore a performing his routine duties personal sampling pump and filter while The duties performed during the monitoring period included 26  wet mopping dusting and sweeping of machine shop done both in the morning and afternoon * cleaning area where welding had been performed * storing the arc welder power cables ion * cleaning electrical shop * conducting miscellaneous cleaning chores The total monitoring time associated work was approximately 2 hours A fiber measured as seen in Table 11 with the wiper's concentration of engineroom cleaning 0.11 fibers was 5.5.3 Monitoring of Watch Standing Personnel Much of the project activity consisted of collecting background samples and samples of specific activities being done aboard the ship On one day when the personnel involved in the test operations were occupied with essential duties two of the IITRI staff stood a watch wearing personal samplers One trailed the deck mechanic and the other the watch engineer The engineer and mechanic shared the duties of making the rounds During the inspection and data logging trips the watch personnel inspected most of the areas in the three lowest decks of the engineroom the rooms containing refrigeration equipment and the steering mechanism at the stern Personal sampling pumps were operated throughout the watch A similar test was performed at night mechanic on duty during the watch A personal sampler was worn by the The in Table results of monitoring engineroom 11 showed that the wiper whose personnel during normal duties routine duties include dusting given and mopping was exposed to a low but significantly higher than background level of airborne fibers The watch standers had exposure levels of 0.01 to 0.04 fibers during the hour watch periods 8. + 2 eee fanene i T lrew ndenen nem ee der a venir : ee ee an -: : a : - pr Table 11. TEST OPERATION MONITORING OF ENGINEROOM PERSONNEL Code 010610 Type Personal 010519 Personal 010512 010414 = Personal ...Personal Duration min | 150 240 240 240 Sample Location or Description Worn by wiper during normal cleaning duties Worn by engineer pm watch Worn by mechanic pm watch Worn by mechanic standing 8-12 pm = - watch Fiber Concentration cc 0.11 0.01 0.04 0.01 5.5 BACKGROUND MEASUREMENTS Table 12 presents the results from background samples collected in the engineroom and at other selected locations and times during With four exceptions the levels are very low ranging from no fibers 0.06 fibers for the hour sampling periods each night the program detected to On October 3 1980 a high fiber concentration of 1 fiber was obtained sample near the bottom of the deserator 010515 0.13 fibers was obtained on level 7 one level A concentration of above the deaerator On the following night , October October 4 1980 1980 elevated ffibier befr ibefirber concentration concentration levels levels were were obtained two levels below the deaerator sample sample 010518 and at the intake of the engineroom exhaust fan sample 010608 On October 9 1980 it was noted by the IITRI staff and the first engineer that a long section of lagging had eroded It is believed that the high fiber concentrations between sea were a ships direct result of the erosion motion and elevated background This apparent relationship fiber counts may be a potential source for regular relatively high exposure to airborne These exposures would be independent of any personnel activities fibers 5.7 EVALUATION OF SAFETY PRECAUTIONS The specific safety precautions taken during all of the test operations consisted of using either The use of such equipment disposable or for personnel self powered air purifying protection is approved for respirators concentrations 28 Table 12. BACKGROUND ENGINEROOM SAMPLES nan Sample Date Sample Code Location 9/23/80 10/3/80 10/4/80 10/5/80 10/6/80 8 10/6/80 10/7/80 10/8/80 10/9/80 010204 010207 010203 010206 010202 010205 Control console area Near front side boiler Near starboard side boiler Lower starboard boiler Lower level boiler Field blank 010709 010604 010810 010515 010609 Control console area Turbine generator area Level near steam return manifold Level port side near deaerator Level foreward hot water return 010521 010611 010518 010614 010608 010710 010607 010817 010818 010705 010709 011613 010902 Control console area Level -- machine shop Level crosswalk above deck Level crosswalk above deck Level near starboard exhaust ventilator Control console area Level near boilers Level Level Level near boilers damage to insulation attached to lube oil gravity tank near starboard exhaust ventilator Control console area Level starboard stairs wall Level starboard exhaust ventilation 010422 010421 010417 010416 Air conditioner intake plenum Control console area Level foreward Level starboard exhaust ventilator 010520 010601 010413 010510 010612 010603 010412 010423 010702 010724 010405 010713 Control console area Machine shop Open brake cordage storage area Level near starboard exhaust ventilator emergency generator room Control console area Level afternoon boilers = Level starboard exhaust ventilator Air conditioner intake daytime Control console area Level near prospective repair area Level starboard exhaust ventilator 2 Background sampling time = 6 hours * NO = no fibers detected 29 Fiber Concentration cc 0.01 0.03 0.04 0.06 0.01 ND 0.01 ND 0.01 1.00 0.13 0.02 0.03 0.13 ND 0.41 ND ND 0.01 ND 0.03 0.03 0.01 0.03 0.06 0.02 0.02 ND 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.03 0.05 0.01 = limits PEL During the work in the up to ten times the permissible exposure no enclosed spaces concentrations exceeding these values were found thus the While the estimated local concentrarespiratory protection used was adequate tion during the brake box cleaning exceeded the limits the working and observing personnel were not breathing the highly concentrated dust cloud Only one person was close to the cloud and a brisk breeze swept the cloud away from his breathing zone i Personal sanitation under the direct control and laundering of contaminated clothing were not of the IITRI personnel however instruction advice the benefit of good examples were used to encourage the use of proper and were cleaned practice in these important areas All contaminated respirators and the disposable filters or respirators packed in plastic bags sealed and labeled asbestos waste by IITRI staff The bags were given to the ships crew for ultimate disposal The protective devices used during this study adequately protected the personnel involved in conducting and observing the operations However the operations were small in size Potential repair zones were observed fiber concentrations might exceed those experienced in the present study all where due to combinations of local ventilation and the magnitude of the mainten- ance operation Ships personnal informed the IITRI staff that the more extensive repairs are usually done in American ports or dock by shore personnel Since this study was limited to repairs routinely carried out by shipboard personnel no effort was made to have the crew undertake larger repairs on this study However since larger repairs may be made by shipboard personnel in emergency situations the potential hazards of larger operations should be considered when revising work practices 5.8 DISCUSSION OF OPERATIONS During the tests formulated to minimize current work practices were observed and recommendations emissions and exposures There are two categories of repair to Emergency result in piping and other repairs were not similar exposure insulated emergency and routine maintenance part of this study although emergency repairs can of ships personnel to airborne asbestos fibers Routine maintenance of piping and insulation sea is performed selectively 30 based on manpower and safety considerations and the priority pairs to other operating systems aboard ship When repairs involving the removal or disturbance of lagging or insulation are performed several precautionary measures not currently used are recommended to reduce emissions and limit exposure to asbestos These include the following Personnel not actually involved in the repair should be excluded from the work area . - i + Plastic sheets should be arranged to catch falling insulation * Insulation insofar as practical should be wetted prior to removal + The removed pieces of lagging or insulation should be placed in a plastic bag which contains water + All personnel whose duties require them to enter or pass within 15-20 feet of the operation should wear respiratory protection + Ships personnel engaged in the repair should wear either disposable or special clothing upon completion of the repair the clothes should be changed and personnel should shower immediately - ATTclean of containing waste should be done using wet methods or vacuums fitted with highefficiency particulate air HEPA filters * Contaminated clothing should be placed in clearly marked containers * Protocols for the final disposal of asbestos debris and contaminated articles need to be developed Shipboard personnel were noted to have varying attitudes regarding working with asbestos The attitudes range from avoidance to so what it's too late for me Ge To ~ 6. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS In this section the conclusions based on all the data are detailed detailed first followed by IITRI's recommendations 6.1 ; CONCLUSIONS maintenance The test data clearly indicate severalseveral shipboard repair and maintenance maintenance | eemee | to airborne fibers At this point the data ee operations that involve exposure ee reveal that shipboard personnel are frequently exposed Neither the Re do nontot reveal hour time weighted average TWA OSHA limit of 2.0 fibers per cc cc or wee | the ceiling exposure limit CEL of 10 fibers is regularly exceeded | The data show that during certain maintenance operations and the associated clean fiber concentrations exceed 2 fibers The operations monitored involved time periods of less than a full work shift thus the TWA is below OSHA limits However if these operations or similar tasks were conducted over longer time periods the exists One operation the cleaning of potential to exceed the OSHA limits brake boxes using air exceeded the CEL limit The existence of a situation where either the TWA or the CEL exposure limits can OSHA regulations to be expected to be exceeded requires eliminate or control the emissions an industry covered by Thus this brake box cleaning procedure should be eliminated controlled or modified to reduce the emissions In several operations fiber concentrations were measured at levels sufficient to warrant concern by MarAd the ship owners and the personnel performing the tasks represent the greatest Clean procedures used after cause for concern followed by lagging lagging or pipe repair removal The short term exposure levels measured during these operations exceeded 2 fibers Welding operations require further study Due to the heavy fume emissions the fiber counts reported are questionable However asbestos is not the only nor perhaps even the primary health hazards associated respirable with other material emitted during welding Potential emissions may govern any action taken Two maintenance events were observed that require attention 32 These are erosion of lagging and the operation of open brakes within enclosed spaces Common ship | above background operations levels but and routine daily clean gave fiber well below current OSHA standards Crew and officer attitudes toward asbestos hazards should be concentrations of concern 4 The training of personnel and enforcement of any preventive and protective measures taken will require methods more effective than those currently in 3 place The conclusions are summarized below The time weighted average of shipboard workers does not exceed 2.0 fibers the current allowable maximum maximum * One operation brake box cleaning using air to blow the accumulated dust from the enclosure exceeds the ceiling exposure limit of 10.0 fibers * Higher exposures were measured during the clean of asbestos lagging materials than during the removal operations Asbestos waste clean procedures produced short term concentrations exceeding 2.0 fibers * The use of a vacuum cleaner reduced the exposure of the clean personnel at the point of pick but increased exposure at the vacuum cleaner exhaust + The standard vacuum cleaner very efficiently puts fibers into the air Vacuum cleaners used to clean asbestos debris should be fitted with HEPA filters + Detectable concentrations of airborne fibers are generated during small tasks such as gasket cutting and repacking of valves + Personnel who perform routine cleaning stir up small quantities of fibrous dust * Open brakes on winches and hoists emit measurable quantities of fibrous dust motion * Ship vibration and motion can erode lagging causing higher than normal fiber concentrations in localized areas for at least 24 hours + Most minor repairs in ventilated areas require only the use of a disposable or powered respirator to provide adequate protection for the worker continued 33  Some changes in work practices and in equipment would eliminate most of the exposures found during the study Additional emphasis on crew awareness of asbestos hazards are needed and a method to enforce safety rules is essential 6.2 RECOMMENDATIONS A number of standard work practices aboard ship should be modified to reduce the overall exposure of shipboard workers to airborne asbestos fibers - one practice should be abandoned Recommendations are given below Based on the data the cleaning of any enclosure containing a mechanical brake by means of air blowing or a compressed air hose and nozzle should be prohibited unless all personnel in the area are equipped with powered respirators impervious protective coveralls and the area itself is isolated from the balance of the ship Isolation includes all air intakes and passages available to any unprotected personnel A negative pressure airlock shower room and change area would also be required for this practice to to to be acceptable The development and use of an alternate cleaning procedure is recommended Candidates are water jet cleaning which would include a thorough wetting of the dust before hosing application of a cleaning fluid followed by manual wiping and brushing of the dampened dust a combination of these two methods i.e. wetting the dust with scraping and wiping of the bulk of the material into a container followed by pressure water cleaning of the enclosure or vacuum cleaning of the enclosure using a velocity nozzle Any procedure selected should be evaluated to determine exposure levels and the need for personal protection Any vacuum cleaner used to clean up wastes suspected to contain asbestos must be fitted with HEPA filters Protocols for a safe method to empty the bag and dispose of the hazardous waste resulting from collection of containing materials must be developed and implemented Based on the observed distribution of the labor time it is possible that exposure levels exceeding OSHA standards could result during larger repairs e ee where more lagging is removed and more time is spent on a particular job or Oe when the repairs are conducted in poorly ventilated locations These factors owe plus that evidence supporting a lowering of the TWA as an educational program should be implemented proposed by OSHA indicate for shipboard personnel 34 The educational program should provide an awareness of the hazard skill in use of personal protective devices and knowledge of appropriate disposal procedures and good work practices The shipboard work rules should include Use of approved respirators when handling cutting or removing materials known or suspected to contain asbestos clean approved equipment Limitation of up methods and to vacuum cleaners and wet methods . vacuumcleaners must be of a type approved for asbestos collection wet methods must include prewetting procedure before general hose - Special instruction on personal hygiene use of either disposable clothes or change and special laundering procedures full shower or thorough clean immediately following asbestos contact and prior to eating or smoking Control of access to areas when containing materials are being worked : Control of spread of waste asbestos by means of drop cloths local ventilation when needed and wetting of all asbestos waste upon primary pick * Modifications to disposal methods to minimize emissions during removal or handling of asbestos wastes * make a single repository available * clearly label waste containers as an asbestos hazard Personnel may be exposed to asbestos and other airborne particulate matter welding fumes in particular in the shop area If well ventilated the shop area may not be a significant source of exposure It is recommended that efforts be made to assure that each shop is well ventilated and that the ventilation is designed to exhaust air from the bench grinder lathe and other potential emission sources out of the ship It is recommended that the ventilation be ducted into the blown into other larger spaces boiler or independently exhausted for dilution rather than The results of this program indicate that some additional effort is needed 35 to determine the numbeorf open brakes in enclosed spaces and that effort be made to eliminate the potential exposure from these open sources of emissions At a minimum shipboard personnel should be kept out of the area when the equipment is operating The preferred solutions are either to enclose the brake completely or to exhaust the emissions through a hood Since enclosing the barke leads back to the worst case emissions found during the study the recommendation of this report is to provide electrically interlocked exhaust hoods to remove the airborne asbestos fibers from the area as they are generated Asbestos toxic brake shoes should be obtained if available The replacement of all enclosed brake shoes with alternate asbestos toxic ens material is the best term solution to this problem cote The study also indicates that an immediate going inspection of pipe lagging for actual and potential erosion or vibration wear should be begun The pipe lagging erosion noted during this study if repeated with different ventilation and traffic patterns could produce a significant exposure to shipboard personnel ee e The recommendations are summarized and highlighted as follows * Change the cleaning procedures for enclosed Drake boxes Prepare and put into practice work rules to include e Use of powered respirators during disturbance to suspected containing material Use of special equipment and during clean of suspected containing materials procedures asbestos- + Improve personal hygiene and laundry practices for personnel working with suspected containing materials Control access to work sites Improve waste disposal and handling practices + Measure and if required improve ventilation in the shop area - Take measures to eliminate or enclose open brakes operating in enclosed spaces 35 Institute an inspection and maintenance program to materials locate and repair eroding containing materials IITRI recommends that any future tests be under greater control of the personnel responsible for the test Control of test conditions should include authority over personnel especially with regard to equipment and work practices control of access to the test site ~ Yy control of decontamination and waste disposal operations scheduling and site selection 37 REFORT DOCUMENTATION i FAGE fte - Subtrie . 1. REPORT NO * 930-81027 ~ 1 Assessment of Asbestos Concentration On Maintenance and Repair 7. Autho TT . 7 David R. Jones ; 7. Pamming Organization Organization Henue and Address Marine * -- Fe . Vessels IIT Research Institute 10 West 35th Street Chicago Illinois 60616 . { : i fP - amoring Organization Name and Aduress U.S. Department of Commerce Maritime Administration 14th and E Streets N.W. Washington D.C. 20230 . 15 Sumentan Sumentan Nues Project Officer Mr. J. Seelinger 377-4826 11. Recipient's Accessi~ im Ni 3. Report Date ~~ os , February 1981 rs 8. Performing Organization Rep Na : C6483 Final . 10. Task.WoTr ask.k Work Unit Ha | Contract Grant 7 111. MA-SA- C-01008 C. SAC (Gs 11. Type of Regum & Period Ci Ci : Final * 34 2/80 to 2/81 | -- 16. Anbar Limo 300 Wran This report contains a listing of containing materials board ships and the repair or maintenance tasks during which the materials might be disturbed Tests measure the potential exposure to airborne asbestos fibers during routine repair and maintenance operations were done Included in the test operations were pipe repairs shop work welding and cleaning both routine and of containing wastes Background fiber concentrations were measured The primary exposure risks were found during cleaning operations and removal of pipe lagging One routine operation cleaning brake enclosures produced airborne fiber concentrations exceeding the ceiling exposure limit and several operations have potential to exceed the permissible exposure limit for airborne fibers Exposures can be minimized by proper use of personal and of modified work practices protective equipment 7 ni ; : | ; ' t lo; |3 { | | me: t { ! i 1 : : ' , ene ~ ! . us Sep - Anal 813 Descripters Descripters Asbestos Fibers Hazardous Exposure Procedures bident.lem bident.lem Over Indied Term Emissions Occupational Exposure |3 - ol: : ; COSATI FiekerGrous 10. Auditaminy Statemer Approved for Release National Technical Information Springfield Va 22161 Service Service Service top Cine Cine Repai 20. Security Class in I 1500 237.181 See instrucimas am Hoontre 8h NJ al Pog 38 ' 32Face | OPTIONAL FORM 272 2"