Document qkQyRZe9q6nZReeYQwQ4BbEe5

McsHcm,ns-g 60(HW EIW SdJtRVEV Of GRANITE MONUMENT, MEMORIAL. AND BUILDING STONE INDUSTRY IN TEXAS i \i! I 1939 Texas State Oepastuent or Health orDivision incuSTBial hygiene Austin, Texas I / 3 <o s '<TJ Ac -crew 1 ec --.e r.ts The State Department cf Health wishes to acknowledge with thanks the splendid interest, coop eration, and aoslstan.'-e 1*. received from employers and mployeeo of the granite, monument, memorial, and building stone industry in Texas in an Industrial Hy giene survey of this industry. V/ithout such help and cooperation, this study cculc. not have been made. The Department sincerely hopes that this survey reveals seme interesting facts and in some measure a3sist3 in promoting an understanding of, and an interest in, the potential 111 effects of cccucation on health. GIO. V. COX, M. D, State Health Officer v3 /*( 1 'i 3 45 inducThial srais;.* sukvsy of shanits, mcu.um*?", me-dhial and 3u:u>r:r. ~rciaduttby i:; tzxah Introduct Ian Some months ago, the Division of Industrial Hy giene of the Texes State Department of Health completed Its preliminary survey of a cross-section of representative industries in the U-ANUTA! TUB I .VC, MECHANICAL, AND MINEPAL Industry; T3AN3P0PTATI0N end COMMUNICATION; DOMESTIC end PERSONAL service. This study covered 12f)U plants employ ing some eighty-eight `housand fS-'i, OCC1 people and was made for the purpose of locating peter.*i'i health hazards irisi.n- cuT nr or associated wi*.n, the nature of the wore of the employees Personal visits wore made by an engineer end/or a physician who attempted to familiarize himself with the mate-lals used, proces-es involved, by-products, finished products, environmental conditions, and general plant sani tation. These surveys led to the compilation of certain data 'll which were projected to cover the entire employed population In the classifications named and led to the con clusion that Mi.Texas employees in Industry are exposed to ~-<ny ''01 e:.t 1 aI h"iith haz' -ds r'cr '-'hi-h "hero ir no it- t Vrrptn read- "or -c-.trci It .tun* --phis '.sod that THI3 c?:c::;al .th-vey revealed o:.ty pctevtialittei: aio did :t .-j.t v;ay imply a.;tltal z::.~~r. Based ups:-, -his survey, '.her-' nr ',Kpca"d to **11 lea dust in Texas Industry gone t'-.lrty thousnr i ''<0,000 sr torn people. In the repo-t of this pro! itinary survey It vn.-i 3tn*CTi that ocr1* detail"! st ;d!"S ''t-ii/i have to be mde oi th" potential hazards b-'fore *i:.y defi'.it" statements could b" fid" relative to the reality and seriousness of the po tent i"ii hazards. there 13 it; :exa3 :;o :cm?o"3atic:j for occupation AL DI'EA3I3 7h" courts hav" definitely ruled against such sr. interpretation for Industrie! incidents. There have been sever1:1 liberal ir.tcrr.rccsticr.s, however, for '-'hich w can of- f"r "x expl'initions The detailed studies necessary .oust cover not only the environ:-.".the! conditions, but also the health of the verhers They roqui-e engineering, oher.ical, and medical investigations TBjrStudy covered In this report was brought abou# by the ftMWT'that arly in our general preliminary sur vey* our attention was called to "sllico8is." The question -2- <4 t k i i s i i i * 3 i i i v'isi i3'<'.'d whether the condition Is ."iliy to be found tr. Texas and whether It in a problem. Potentially, ns stated, thirty thousand `'30,000) or mere workers ere exposed to siliceous Lusts, the inhalation of which any lead to silicosis, >1 chronic disease usu-ily occurring only after en exposure of ten years or more. Cocas'.orally, however, an exposure of two years or less is suf ficient. The amount of free silica in the u.ust, the amount of the dust, th" size of the dust particles, and Individual suscepti bility all play a part. For some un't.ncvn reason the Inhalation of this dust leads to the replacement of normal us"ful lung tissue by a useless uu-ir tissue. This reduced amount of lung manifests Itself in a shortness of breath which Is the outstanding symptom ar.d complaint. After *hio disease has begun, it is difficult to step ever, though the Individual is removed from the dust exposure. The Important factor to consider, however, is the susceptibility of people with silicosis to tuberculosis, and the rapidity with which they 3uccumb to this disease. Indeed a very large percentage of all these with silicosis die of sllico-tuberoulosls. Silicosis is a disease which can and must be prevented. Only when employers and workers beg'n to realize this, however, will any thing helpful bo accomplished It is hoped that this study may impress these groups with these facts and if it leads to saving the life of only one person through prevention of sllico-tuberoulosls, it will have been worth while. 3- '..s.V.-'r a- .T'af' Mr'Ti'V % 'Vi Cur pr"l iminury surveys lead us to believe that in T x a s ther-' is v"ry Little atter.:t made tc control the potent lei dust hazard. I* seem* to be ccr.cn lly be lieved that the trees of sheds used urs rot conducive to .?<* .`ft .accumulations of dusts Much of the vers Is actually done out doors. The usual shed is narrow and runs east and west lr the longest direction tSee rig "o. I). The south side is usually crtir"l.v open and the north side has openings which car. be used. It Is tel eved that in the summer the prevailing south winds blew, the dust out on the north side end in the winter the r.crth wind blows the dust out on the south side. 1 There have been a number of workers known to have silicosis with ;r without infection; but it is be lieved that such cor d it ions ire seen .'.cost frequently in stone workers who hav" migrated here from the last where they have worked in closed sheds under conditions which were more conducive to *h-' development of silicosis. It is also felt, that these workers have come south to prolong their lives and that th'-y are the ones we hear of as dying because of silicosis o" s 11 ice-tuberculosis. 9 i P- used. v/i orcc-ss-'S Involved sc night b" b'-ttr re mintlens fer haenrds It. should b*- emphasized *.hit r.-i*h''r employer .'tor cmciovee was silver. 30" info-nation of the x-ray findings In any employee unless the request was aide by both and the information given to bc*h it the same time The employer, how ever. was given general information as to the percentage of his employees showing '.-I'-'cn of patholo^i-s 1 Injury as revealed by the x-ray as well as specific information as to the amounts of -lus' to which the employees were being exposed in various Locations In his plant. The employ-'-1 was not given this lat ter Ir. format 1 This oollcy was followed Ln erd-- t.. f>- "'-.Ir to both the employer end employee 30 that there would be no cause frr 111 feeling resulting from, our surveys. Ir. our opinion the plan was well received and both employer and em ployee felt free to "talk" since they knew that any information they might give us would be treated as confidential and that our studies were of a "fact-finding" nature. Process of Manufacturing In order that one may understand how much time and effort are ope.nt in the manufacture of memorials and monuments, -7- a r." fror. *.!s- --h f.-: .T-i::!-- quri-r l";i, To 3'.-- h" ' ;j Ivr. ' ' -i.-*--!, to vntnh ` c:iy ic.-'j'' p-T 'iC^l of `ii-- .> !;' oui' 'ibi- for -j:'- --rf} l.-.ly a"v`.r.'iir.s of *h** ; 3 >: ^ ; * ;> ** o ." !"l d iff p'-o-'-'Ox o-' q^'srry'.:^ Th** s* o;." Is* u?uit. ly -rj* to "-j*.0 i*:3ircd alzo 'in tho qu*:rr*y or V r.tir r. 2 * h~ quarry 7*'ry t,,xv p 1 i::r.s--*?< nV'T c!' n: ly c:'.o cl' Vr.' fo-rt.o,,:i 'lM oi':::na a'jrvvvod 1*. 7- x .*yU':.. y n 1 3: i by 3 oi *t sirdar*; dovr. no`ir nh? ou*Li:;*` cl' nho *`l: Ish--! .rcijr**- Thr' atcri- la nhcr: vcrfcod -inh tho a-jr:'**'* I;:,r .Tv^r.n 'wv-- ri,r. \\ 2) '2 rcu^hon It dovm to ins :pcrox Imn^ ?h :p*' in .*5r* *-1: -. smoother surf^cs ir.d nc 3h-*uo nhn- cun 11: oi n iv prodo '' , ` p*`'ur-'inir hf*.::d noci "Sec Fir. No. 3^ is ioy'.'d . ?oMshi;:r i:; ei or:* ' ''"or nh.' smooth surface hna obn--i:.--!. bv 9*r.dbl is?*' 1 ui' 'i 1 ncoi fcr riiod !**.*.,,r,n j,. r^ o'* Hcrompl iahed either *h pr.oumtio U i ;**i*o t*"'' cV the opo:* *yp-\ or: F1 * 'ii 'Iivr*o mro * <3 ( I i i \ i -c nr -e mechanical control methods for the -emcval of dust except at *he 3end c 1 astin.g operation 'See rigs. .Vo.5 i Vo 6} Sever, of the fourteen plants have enclosed sandblast rooms equipped with exhaust fens for renovel of the dust In dost lr.3tar.ces th-.se rooms are not air-tight and dust car. escape from then through cracks in the vails and celling. But in all but or.e instance the dust is blown. Just outside the shed where it be comes either a nuisance to the neighbors on nay be blown back into the shed through openings. The sand blasters in all of the plants are furnished protective helmets and respirators of varying types. Respirators and goggles are available ir. east Instances to "cutters." 3ut usually they are not being used either because of the discomfort attending the use or because I the employee has never recognized the hazards to which he is being exposed. A damp sponge in each nostril or a handkerchief covering the nose and mouth are the most common methods practiced for control, but even these are not usually used I Very few of the plants surveyed have artificial means of lighting, and only one operates at night, doing only sandblasting at that time. The majority of the plants employ from three to nine men, no one having a specific duty to per form. Since the population of the plants is small and operating conditions are seasonal, it is necessary that each man be capable of performing all operations with the exception of designing and -9- 'SA* t * /V; *^r***> aci Dus* d^t-'-r: l-:a* icr? of value for *.'*s reasons: "t9 v .**.*'* hch 2*** * im"!*'Ir.^ of* ensure in dusty atmospheres; tvo. far d-'-e--rin irg the ef f icicr.cy of various dust control equior"r.t From nr: analysis of thl3 sur rey !* -an bo see.-. tho* the value of dusa determine* lon.3 in this state i3 thnt they sononly ns * m^ah-rd of 'atinna1::? the de cree of exposure to dusty atmospheres. All of tho fourteen plants surveyed, with tho exception of .one, ere of the open type. The only control equipment used is exhaust .'ins in enclosed send ciast booths. Therefere, a cc. 'son cf counts with end without the use of control d 'vices >*oul- ct b" or-ide, except at the send* blasting operation. Dust Counts--Procedure The Division, of Industrie! Hygiene has, as pert of i*s equioment. a truth end c arnli-'r c** "he n.cuse typ-.-. as. illus trated (See Fig Ho 71 Considering *he greet distnr.ee between plants in Texes end the time it va- n*nessnry to spend at each plant, most of the laboratory -,,rh had to b don" in the field ior., cf ?cu~s-. cC Th^rr.!-**.; ^r.-ilys^s The -10- Cwiiejt , ::o*h?', - ':-pi'- i = or ?f !..?* vi-hcu*'. `.Jw of iu.'* ~0''~0l -cui J ' V nd-- h i* -eif;:: i*. v%? d`-*'.dod h? vj?* r' :'-7 o- r-:* "u*h r pci.-" -hi'h --ould t'i * i i*:* " i *:' ? of vs. u.r of (!- *'h,i* sigh*. '? ir.hsl*! or a:.*- of 'O-h'"'.- ci.rpi--.? >*-' '*'*:: i*.: ; 7h" hr=-;*hi-..-; ;v: pr'"o< *"ly s:.-s foe* fror. -he '' ~r.r oo-*"'*.* or A;j or "v.!" v ` -.y : h-- of ori- ^ir. "i*h"r Or. or cu* of ;:? p-'h o`` *h lu?" 5 A hi vf'-hi: *.h" pi.il.' ii'-r-l `o b" aos1, r-i c"r.O". *. i V" of *.h-' .r-v.ori L ' - t 1 I * !o':p - A pir^'ir "r.r i -S" Tvo re : 7 S'-r.o.-'i ........ *.o Oh" r.urb'ir o' mhirr opr-~ :* io: r -.:.d r.oiit.*. do:.- i* '.hi . 1.T-: 0" *.hi vl.-i* D-.*.=! O' 1 `.gh* .vd : to: v--*- '''ordrd i-'for" ; r/frg. rid i d ;-o---r ' p .;-. 1 llu = *;r-r *. 'h Fir Vo .? :r-d Th-' ' r:p . "i --J il-'iy? -'.-hi* i p'-.-io-i o'' -y- fev r.c.:-" - : -> i hi 1. - -. p'-lod of fix hours* fros *.t;- * in** *5*' 'o. or: T-o h"ll? for i-i'h -'ihipl-. M'h - o:v i'i.-: l:.5 *i sri o y or.- ~ubl* l-`i*.=>- o'- * h ?urp '.o- . nidi ir.d il'.owod Vo ***.'.I* J ipicyees :;CI.;E*3I:C oUKVTY DATA Locat lor.Date___________________ ManagerDept. Surveyed Site & type of machinery & equlp.ten*___________________ *a a I a I Locat '.on. .Vo. Ft. Vol. Sol. Dust Sanple Data Operation Hesarics Lighting Data csr.ditlo.ts .do conditions Ventilation Data Out3lde conditions Inside conditions -13- i Dust Counts - -Results Timber of Plants Surveyed.................................114Tote- riur.ber of Dust Determinations ....70 Of the fourteen plants surveyed, only seven were equipped with enclosed sandblast booths having an exhaust fan. The other sever, were of the type as illustrated (See Fig. No.61 Oust determinations were .made In five of the sever mod-'rnj y equipped sandblast booths and three of the unequipped booths. The following table represents a compari son of conditions with and without the use of control equip ment at the sandblasting operation -15- ji { .I io: 1*.!or to tpO i->!;r""s ' - - .c6 * - I /. ,:n ` ; H:J . - - 5 Ci 1> I j L03 3 tO H,j:r5 'si --a) - - 65.66 % LCOi1 t.O H2F2 s':i'!'1 r-'SidU'? - - 28.9'* % -- .08 $ 2-ir.pl-.' " 2 1 1.053 ;.- isr:-:sr :s 5?0 0 -- -2 i Z.055 -o Ho. , . 6 60 * Lo?:> *c %3i?$ L-.53 *0 :-:2"3 - - 6** 93 * - - 05 IC ^ H-ia idi;-' I .. 20 f, t Loss cr. isri*.ic:- to tJC t-^r-.-'s 10 * Lcs3 te'Hc: - - 3 2^ 31 i.c?3 to HgSir^ -'silifi'cst - - 65 76 * Loss to ^"2 ' 3 11 to *.'> - - 30 68 $ ^-0 : i u" -- . 22 i IOC.GO $ u*3* y i i t \ ii * i j i ! * 5{ :P '?' ^"V,.1'' > ; Jr#-V * * * safe. t r." .ricu? using : portable u-it v;p-.b> of icveic?- irg 50 KV >i-"d 15 MA. Th" t lr" fa-tor varied fro- 5/6 - 2 sec Ir- sen *i's*i^^? *:h*5 ril^s v*??**? `d^vclcri in trailer laboratory. where-;? 1:; other cases they were brought ch hone office for developing and reading. Ir. criy a few in stances -a? it ross ible cr deened advisable to ask for a "re take " Our report ices rot include flirts `which were not -or- ?iderd to be 4legr.ostit. The av-rage ege of the workers x -d Table io *0 p* ^ cr r: * j-n:. " rr*ir? - - 3 " ? u l*fl "i-,-% -- ? - ; * .5 *.;** *-*.*,.**>rc L ". L ?*.uii*? ?j*.y be 5,::rr,irl?ad n follow? 0*' h" *15 wcr'<e*'? x-reyd: ; 20 ?hc* ; jo'/.iv? "'/Ider.co of penhological Vr.^.r.g-*? ditgr.os*!'* of ? l. i *osi.- withou*. inferior. 2 ? 2 % 'ex-lusLve of the 20 $ ir. So 1) show pc? ve evldcn-'1' of pathologies; changes diagnostic of o'liccsis with Infection 3. 21* 6 % ' --x-ius 1 v : of the 25-2 $> described in Ho. 1 end 21 3he- cositL*' eviie-e of change? which ciey- be described ns Noorn fibrosis then c?e:l." 50 . i is show to 'videnoe of n:.y changes fro= the healthy chest. p. ?d i. ^ .f th werhors exoosed 0-9 years show no 0v Id*?r.c? cf ch'iru^s fren fc.h,-i h'?"*>hy "host 6 3C i of the wor>nrs exposed 10-id veer? show no ^f c'',.cir*r?s fr*o~ ho h**'*!* itv ch"3*- ~ ;9 ^ of th cr>"r? exposed 15-19 years show r.c 3 !' 1 -e*- t;ie w.-->--= 'xpesed 20-2'9'yenrs show no *?vidor.c^ of ch**.t'.i`"`"r frer. t-h^ h-ti^rv' chodt 9 20 it of the vorhe-e exposed 30-39 year show no v iden :e of "hnnges froc: ~he healthy chest 10 Vo worsen exposed over ^0 years felled to show ovid-or.ee of tcthcl off lee ': hanns -21- An e-cly-i-- '.h" i-*--, tbv-i- *-. >-* the*: 1 The dust ~o: '':*"=>* io:. - th- survey reveii? . 'so high Is inch shed 2 25 of 'S' .i5 :.*.er x-reyed she definite roent- rer.o log ice I ?ig-:.= of -J 1 - i-os is--*t'h"r -'i'h os vl'hout infection f Ano`h'*r 25 i> ?h-- 'litre'!r *h*;beyond '.ho :c~ 1 exp-/.c'-*d In henl'hy p-' p." of *.h" 3"is-* <>503 Vhile re positive ? v:c-.r.-r *3 o*..-. be -ode os to the onus'* cf this Ir.crees-'-d ''loros:?. 1* s-* *rrs reHSO:**bie to presume chel " iirge port, --t leest, Is th" dire-* result of exposure to slll'-'ous dusts. If this so roe group - out in.ues l.t l*s present eco rustler: without prot'*'.-'. :c." end 1? x-rtyed ter. yesr? her.r-e. lergo cerc = rv*.g-* will 'urioub'edly show rs-:.'.g-- til evidence o' .= 11 loos Is ?l-!-t owners, 0? vr. 1 ; -.9 employe"?. --n* to >-.ow: 1 Ho-' much do?" '. be t:''.-*"eted without hnrm.fu 1 = 'feots? 2 Vhit nn they dc to corre't present condition? wr.i-h ire not sitisfe-ctory? .. The firs* que?-' lc" '*:. be sr.svered by quoting froor the United 3'etes D"p"-irtme-' of L-.to" Bulletin Us 21 ,5l: "Multiply the po*tcerrge of free silice by the tctel pe-tlnl* du?* count r the result Is under 5 million, the -end 1'lor: mey be considered per missible If *h.e -Sul* !. over 5 million, the 1 -22- V'',^r.i*iVKV'i.*' .-v- w5*. -- -*5* ^7*.* - 9 i condition .r;;r bo considered too high. Fcr example, 10 ter cert fr*1" silica with an average total duat ccr.ccrtrotic:: of 50 million particles per cubic foot -cull give 0.10 *ime? JO .tilllor., which equals 3 sillier, '.cocci pracric"': .0 per cert with an average total dost concentr-i'-lor of JO million, would equal 0.J tir.es JO, or 1J sillier 'unsatisfactory). This formula is r.ct applicable to cry dust containing less the:: 5 per cert free silica." The second question car. be answered only when conditions prevailing l.n each particular plant are considered. Vcrkers often ash, "Shall I quit my job and learn a new trade--one less hazardous?" This is recemended too freely. It has beer, learned, however, that It is r.ot so easy for a laborer of ^0 year? of age and over to learn a new trade and to t t a new job. A r.uch .-.ore sensible plan is to rera in in the trade for which a worker is trained but to protect himself eai.-.:* further exposures known. to be hut.ardcu3 This car. be accomplished or: a cooperative basis by employer ar.d employee. Attar., ns must be made to control dusts at the origin ar.d where this is not practical or possible, then the worker must be provided with, and must use, a:i approved type of filter mask. All workers with active tuberculosis must be taken off the Job and provided for In some way. Certainly they mu-t not be permitted to be In contact with other workers and especially with those who show roentgenological signs of silicosis. It is known that sllicotics are extremely susceptible to the tuber culous infection and a large percentage die of this disease. .oa. ?: .1 Ce.-."r-; Scfl usior-.s 1. The iaa*. ~o:.~`-: * rations *.r. gr-.n.ite sheds ir. Texts are too high. 2 n lirge percenttge of the 5rer.it" verhers show rcer.t.nr.olo=,io-''.I evidence of silicosis. 3 Vorlcers do net believe thut there is a serious .cod to veer r.eshs . d Steps r.ust be ta-ter. for the control of dust at the point of origin. . . - - -2U- . 1-- * - ;s Ser-i up'" the ~-"ii-:'; 1 and ngl-.-.eerir.g findin.gs of this survey, th" following m- c~r.-^r.inil:::,s are offered for cons iderat ion: 1 That 2: "itt-.rpc do made to -or.trol the concen trations of dust created. by: a Control of dust at the point of origin, using local exhaust devices b. Adequate general natural plant ventilation c. Good housekeeping. It is important that dust not be remitted to accurwlste on rafters, machines, and floors d. Adequate disposal of dust from collecting devices, thereby preventing such dust from re-entering the plant c. Segregut ion of du3ty operatior.3 f. Conducting sandblasting operations in. a booth designed for that purpose and -"'quipped with an exhaust far. capable of removing ail dust The operator must work out side the booth and be equipped with both respirator and goggles 2. All workers fc" not only encouraged but required to use goggles, respiraters, he n"ts, gloves, and ether protective devices when needed 3 Fre-enployncn . and periodical medical examinations bp. made of all workms. sunh -:r,nmin."ttlo:".3 including x-rays of chests U Frequent dote "mirations of dust concentrations in the various operations be made -25- DUST DETERMINATIONS IN EACH PLANT AT SPECIFIC LOCATIONS TABLE HO. 4 num ber of persons 45 TASLE n;c 3 i J layout of TYPICAL granite shed FIG. NO. 1 J 1 FIG. -4-.A mJ 1 no. m wmmmammasm %. F IG F IG N O .7 iv'.. r^--. <" jI ***.- BIBLIOGRAPHY I. evaluation of the Industrial Hygiene Problem in the State of Texas. Texas State Department of Health (1939). 2. Bloomfield, J J.; Dallavalle, J. M.: Tne Determination and Control of Industrial Dust. Public Health Bulletin ilo. 217, United States Treasury Department, Public Health Service, Washington, D. C. (19351- j. National Silicosis Conference. Report of Medical Control. Final Report the Committee on the Pre vention of Silicosis through Medical Control. Bulletin No. 21, Part I, United States Department of Agriculture, Division of Labor Standards (1938).