Document pmVR5ERBjMGan9w2pbkv9ZE4w

MEMORANDUM DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE HEALTH SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health USPOB, Rm. 521, 5th & Walnut Sts., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 TO Regional Administrator, OSHA, Region IV DATE: Through: Regional Program Director, NIOSH, Region IV September 29, 1972 FROM : Acting Deputy Director, DFSCI SUBJECT: Notification of Suspected Violation of OSHA Asbestos Standard RAYBESTOS-MANHATTAN COMPANY NORTH CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA In January 1971 NIOSH*s Division of Field Studies and Clinical Investigations conducted an industrial hygiene survey of the Raybestos-Manhattan plant in North Charleston, South Carolina. The results of the study were forwarded to the South Carolina Board of Health on December 16, 1971. Average exposure levels in the following jobs exceeded the current asbestos standard of 5 fibers/cc: 1. Mule spinning 2. Ring spinning 3. Spin doffing 4. Dry twisting 5. Winding 6. Foster winding 7. Spool winding 8. Winder fixing 9. Tape weaving In addition, 46 samples exceeded the peak level of 10 fibers/cc. In May 1971 NIOSH*s Division of Technical Services responded to a request for technical assistance from the South Carolina State Board of Health for an evaluation of asbestos at this facility. Approximately 165 personal asbestos samples were taken in the textile operations. These samples were to be counted by the South Carolina Division of Occupational Health; however, this agency was unable to complete the asbestos fiber counting due to problems with phase contrast microscopy. Subsequently, the samples have been forwarded to the Western Area Occupational Health Laboratory in Salt Lake City, Utah. Regional Administrator, OSHA, Region IV Through: Regional Program Director, NIOSH, Region IV September 29, 1972 Page 2 It is noteworthy that a NIOSH medical survey of February 1971 showed several workers in many asbestos textile operations with restrictive pulmonary function abnormalities, rales, clubbing, and chest X-ray features consistent with asbestosis. The NIOSH medical and environmental data raise concern about the health status of this plant. Enclosed is the January 1971 air sampling data for your information and evaluation. In view of the potential serious medical consequences associated with excessive asbestos exposures, would you please inform us of OSHA's follow-up of this situation. Enclosure: January 1971 Sampling Data cc: Director, DFSCI Director, DTS Chief, Industrial Hygiene Services Branch, DTS Assistant Director for Regional Operations, NIOSH South Carolina State Board of Health Commissioner, South Carolina Department of Labor Division or rieia otucnes a Liinicai inves ti ga'cioiii November 9, 1971 Asbestos Plant #313 Raybestos - Manhattan Charleston South Carolina Asbestos Textile Plant U.S.P.H.S. Survey January 1971 Personal Samples OPERATION <5 JOB 'SAMPLE If CONCENTRATION FIBERS >5u/cc IOC Fiber Preparation Blender Operator Blender Operator Biender Operator Blender Operator Blender Operator Blender Operator Stock Packer Stock Packer Supervisor Carding Carr1 Tender Card Tender Card Tender Card Tender Card Tender Card Tender Card Tender Card Tender Card Tender Card Tender Card Tender Card Tender Card Tender Card Filler Card Filler Card Filler Card Filler Card Filler Stock Ro1ier Stock Roller Stock Roller Weigher (carding) 14 3.8 198 7.0 197 10.9 19 14.7 10 6.9 196 0.41 1 1 .4 15 19.3 17 . 3.7 90 5.3 104 6.3 ICI 4.5 93 3.7 200 8.8 195 10.8 118 1 1 .2 102 12.8 98 12.6 99 5. 1 86 6.7 120 4.3 199 1 .9 254 1 .4 227 7.0 226 2.0 225 0.7 233 0.8 96 9. 1 105 23.2 106 7.3 67 9.7 y f t > & f | jj $ 11/9/71 u.b.P.ri.S. Asbestos samples Plant 313 Page 2 OPERATION & JOB Spinning Mule Spinner Mule Spinner Mule Spinner Mule Spinner Mule Spinner Mule Spinner Mule Spinner Mule Spinner Mule Spinner Mule Spinner Mule Spinner Ring Spinner Ring Spinner Ring Spinner Ring Spinner Ring Spinner Ring Spinner Rinq Spinner Ring Spinner Ri ng Spinner Ring Spinner Ring Spinner Ring Spinner Ring Spinner Ring Spinner Ring Spinner Ring Spinner Ring Spinner Ring Spinner Doffer Doffer Doffer Dof fer Yarn Weigher Spool Cutter Foreman (mule spinning) Twisting Dry Twister Dry Twister Dry Twister Dry Twister Wet Twister Dof fer Twisting Quality Control Twisting Quality Control Technician Technician SAMPLE # 80 67 64 70 61 65 75 71 63 78 69 41 208 53 48 54 56 58 52 218 46 45 44 210 209 55 212 60 57 43 77 100 51 50 47 66 203 201 95 91 100 183 92 1 19 CONCENTRATION FIBERS >5\i/co 9.9 10.8 5.7 8.4 21.6 10.0 19.3. 16.3 20.2 19. 1 12.6 6.4 3.8 13.5 1 1.3 24.8 15.5 1 .0 18.0 6.7 13.6 10.6 5.6 6.5 3.9 21.2 5.2 40.9 19.7 7.5 3.7 16.0 11.1 5.7 4. 1 18.2 25.3 12. 1 15.3 18.0 8.5 3.6 1.1 0.5 U.S.P.H.S. Asbestos Samples Plant #313 Page 3 OPERATION & JOB 140 Winding Winder Winder Winder Winder Winder Winder Winder Winder Winder Winder Winder Winder Winder Foster Winder Foster Winder Foster Winder Foster Winder Foster Winder Packer Packer Packer Packer Packer Packer Packer Packer Packer Packer Packer Packer Packer Winder Fixer Wi nder Fixer Winder Fixer Winder Fixer Spool. Winder Spool Winder Winding Supervisor Packing Supervisor Winding Quality Control Technician SAMPLE if 205 204 185 79 132 133 184 34 36 130 82 94 84 72 73 74 68 62 175 167 172 178 171 168 177 170 179 162 161 83 176 134 16 12 9 206 207 81 180 85 CONCENTRATION FIBERS >Sv/ca 7.7 8. 1 0.9 13.9 3.7 7.0 1 .6 6.8 0.3 8.6 5.8 7.7 9.1 1 .8 12.5 14.0 13.8 12. 1 0. 1 0.3 2.2 0.4 0.3 O.i 0.2 0. 1 0.5 6.3 1 .8 9.8 0.0 2.6 16.6 0. 1 2.2 17.9 10.8 14.6 0.3 2.3 U.S.P.H.S. Asbestos Samples Plant 313 Page 4 OPERATION & JOB . Weaving Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Wea ve r Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver C1 oth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver' Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Cloth Weaver Draper Weaver Draper Weaver Draper Weaver Draper Weaver Draper Weaver Draper Weaver Draper Weaver Draper Weaver Cree 1 er Cree1er SAMPLE if CONCENTRATION FIBERS >5\i/co 115 1 .4 186 2.9 127 1 .9 126 3.1 124 2.9 187 3. 1 1 39 3.7 125 7.2 123 4.2 135 5. 1 137 2.1 1 14 2.4 1 13 4.3 1 10 3.5 140 21.6 122 0. 1 217 0.2 181 4.9 21 1 1 .7 213 3.8 121 1 .8 202 2. 1 190 0. 1 1 1 1 4.7 108 5.2 107 7.1 219 1 .3 182 2.3 215 2.5 4 2.5 5 2.3 7 6.2 3 2.9 37 1 .7 38 1 .3 1 1 4.1 8 3.5 216 0.4 128 3.4 U.S.P.H.S. Asbestos Samples Plant tf 313 Page 5 OPERATION <5 JOB Weaving (continued) Cree1e r Creeler Tape Weaver Tape Weaver Tape Weaver Weaving Inspector Weaving Inspector Weaving Inspector Weaving Inspector Foreman Foreman Ropej Wick, Braid & Cord Braid Winding Operator Braid Winding Operator Ring & Braid Press Operator Ring & Braid Press Operator Finishing Ca 1ender Operator Calender Operator Calender Operator S1itter Operator S1itter Operator Dryer Operator Finish Press Operator 1nspector Miscellaneous Supply Room Clerk Supply Room Clerk Sheet Metal Maintenance Sheet Metal Maintenance Sheet Metal Maintenance Sheet Metal Maintenance Sheet Metal Maintenance Fly Puller Fly Puller Machine Shop Worker Machine Shop Worker Machine Shop Worker Machine Shop Worker Utility Operator SAMPLE # 138 136 220 39 40 1 12 109 1 17 1 16 6 33 164 163 173 149 154 152 151 160 142 153 150 139 . 22 23 30 24 31 28 32 13 129 26 27 21 25 2 CONCENTRATION FIBERS >5\i/cc 5. 1 6. 1 10.7 7.6. 5.0 6.0 2.2 0.9 0.3 4.7 9.1 l .0 3.8 0.4 0.1 2.4 2.2 2.0 0.3 0.2 0. 1 1 .0 2. 1 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.2 2.2 1.8 2.7 3.4 0.5 1 .4 1 .0 0.3 1 .8 OPERATION & JOB 180 Miscellaneous (continued) Utility Operator Utility Operator Uti1ity Operator Meehan i c New Operations Novatex Operation 2 Weaver Weaver Weaver Weaver Weaver Spinner Spinner Carding & Extruder Ccnd.iny a Exrruder Revolite Operation Mixer Mixer Mixer Revoiite Worker Revo 1ite Worker Revo 1ite Worker Revolite Worker Revolite Worker Revo 1ite Worker Unknown Textile Packing Operator Extruding Operator Ring Press Operator Ring Press Operator Ring Press Operator Multi press Operator Multipress Operator Ring Inspector Ring Inspector SAMPLE # 42 49 141 89 CONCENTRATION FIBERS >5\i/cc 3.4 8.4 1 .9 17.6 232 1 .9 222 0.8 223 1 .4 224 0. 1 221 1 .4 191 1 .8 192 1.5 193 0.3 i 94 U. 2 239 2.3 240 0.9 238 ___ 3 230 0.2 237 1 1 .4 235 0.2 236 1 .5 231 0.2 229 1 .2 145 0.5 158 0.3 156 0.6 157 0. 1 146 0. 1 143 0.2 155 0.5 147 0.6 148 0.6 U.S.P.H.S. Asbestos Samples Plant # 313 Page 7 ' OPERATION < JOB 191 Office Workers Industrial Engineer SAMPLE U CONCENTRATION FIBERS >5v/cc 59 21.3^ Worker on break New process} all operations are wet Background dust too high to get a good count Engineer doing time studies in spinning