Document rBvKERqJ90xEZdxYd50J9wpwe

REPORT OP INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE STUDY #17 . AT VICTOR MANUFACTURING & GASKET COMPANY CHICAGO, ILLINOIS This report covers the results of a study made in this plant on March 18, 1966. Investigated during the study were the asbestos fiberizing, bagging' and beater operations, and the solvent vapor concentra tions at the rubber sheeting mills. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. That the sheeting mill #2707 be more completely enclosed on the sides and bottom to provide better capture of solvent vapors by the ventila tion system. (See Discussion) 2. That the covers on the raw rubber containers be kept in place at all times when material 13 not actually being removed. 3. That the operators of the asbestos bagging operation and the beater operation be provided ^ with and required to wear united States Bureau of Mines approved pneumoconiosis producing dust respirators on the job. SUMMARY OF RESULTS The operator of the bagging operation is exposed to asbestos dust concentrations of almost nine times the threshold limit value of five million particles per cubic foot of,air. The beater operator is exposed to between three and four times the threshold limit value for asbestos dust. me operator of the sheeting mill #2707 is exposed to toluene concentrations of more than twice the threshold limit value of 200 parts per million of air. DISCUSSION ` The rubber sheeting mill #2707 at the present time is equipped with local exhaust ventilation. However, it is not very effective because the hood on the mill is too far away from the source of production of solvent vapors. The canopy hood on this mill is two or three feet above the rollers. The rollers become coated with solvent, and solvent drips off of the rollers onto the floor beneath the mill. If the vapors from the evaporating solvent are captured at all, they pass through the operators breathing zone before entering the hood. Any draft in the area VMO-33.0001838