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TRUNSB CTIONS 32nd NATIONAL SAFETY CONGRESS /ot ( General Subject and Industrial Sessions CHICAGO October 5*7, 1943 National Safety Council, Inc. 20 North Wacker Drive, Chicago 6 n--right 1943, National Safety Council, Inc. Industrial Health WEDNESDAY MORNING SESSION October 6, 1943 Presiding:--Walter S. Paine, Manager, Engineering Department, Aetna Life & Affiliated Companies, Hartford, Conn., and Vice-President for Industrial Safety, National Safety Council. An Approach to Tuberculosis in Industry C. RICHARD WALMER, M.D., Medical Department, Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa. Assuming that one of the greatest individ1 losses of earning power in the productive Period of a man's life, that is, in early or fiddle life, is due to tuberculosis, we, in dustry, feel it our obligation not only to *eek out these cases but to counsel them ac cordingly. Our approach to these cases is, of neceslimited due to the fact that, generally, a Prospective employee will offer nothing in *** way of past or present medical history. order to cope with the situation, we must "*ve a system of rules to which we can turn. * ur situation we go about this by: b Preplacement examination--routine of all prospective employees. 2- Transfer examinations--which are re quired of all present employees seeking advancement in certain jobs. 3- Periodic examinations--this type, un fortunately, is limited to those of selected occupations and comprises only 4,000 (or one-sixth) of the total pop ulation of our plant. ^ Cases reported sick and examined upon returning to work. Preplacement Examination 1^* Preplacement examination may be our ^ "Upcc of ever physically evaluating ^*Pfeyee for the duration of his employ{r^jdyour company and, therefore, must .'jpUpteheniiYc and all inclusive. All new J2*5** *re fluoroscoped routinely and Ik* examined clinically. Insofar as en,P,y offering informa- tion about himself is concerned, one would classify him as a mental case if he were to offer any damaging evidence to hinder his obtaining a new job. All new employees are routinely X-rayed, as is any case of doubt ful fluoroscopy or clinical chest finding. We pay particular attention to any case giving past occupational history of employment in mining, welding, or in the dusty occupations, such as foundries. Any prospective employee having sufficient chest findings to warrant his rejection as an employee is promptly told of our suspicions and advised to see his own physician with out delay. We offer him a letter of our findings to take to his doctor and in many cases receive an appreciative reply from both the doctor and prospective employee. Transfer examinees are not routinely Xrayed unless they have actual complaints, clinical findings, or are to assume duties in a dusty atmosphere. Periodic Examinations ' Periodic examinations are, as mentioned before, unfortunately, limited to about onesixth of our personnel. However, we feel that these men and women are the ones whose occupations may cause occupational illness, if environment is not properly con trolled. The system of examination in this category depends upon the type of job and hazards involved. We will limit this paper to that of chest findings only. Each man receiving a periodic examination receives a thorough clinical chest examination indud- Marine Section 401 man after landing to quickly flip seat out from between his legs. The inboard end of the line passes through a block then over a cleat. Several turns of the line are always taken around the cleat. On the end of each landing boom a light has been installed, the rays of which are directed downward and brightly il luminate the surface on which the deck hands have to land. Since putting these rules into effect in 1938, the most serious accident reported to date has been a sprained ankle. You all know that the success of safety work depends upon the support received front company management, and in this regard I would like to say that the inter est and support of our management has been excellent. Safety aboard a lake freighter is a broad subject, but possibly you are now aware of some of the problems with which we are confronted each operating season. With lake freighters performing such an important role in the transportation system of both the United States and Canada, it is imperative that the present manpower shortage is not aggravated by avoidable personal injuries. This challenge is being met. Lake freighters are carrying record cargoes of ore and coal cargoes vital to our war program. THURSDAY AFTERNOON SESSION October 7, 1943 Presiding: D. L. Hartnett, Regional Safety Consultant, U. S. Maritime Commission, Philadelphia, Pa. The Control oi Fumes in Shipyards WILLIAM E. LAWRENCE Safety Engineer, New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N. J. Many articles have been published on this subject, including miles of statistics; however, I am sure that every shipyard in this country today has acquired knowledge through experience and information un selfishly passed on by pioneers in ship welding until it is assumed that everyone knows the most satisfactory fume elimina tion is that of ventilation by exhaustion. Extensive experiment during the past decade with different types of equipment proved that the surest method was to re move the trouble at its source. Blowers od exhausting devices were developed acc?fdingly, with satisfactory results. Res\ Pjrators fitted with metal fume filters will give some protection when fume con centrations are low. I* common with other shipyards and * hfavy industries, much care is being exer cised by plant medical staffs in routine jf*-checks and re-examinations of workers exposed to welding fumes. In so far as we r, we still can honestly state that we not had one case of lasting or per manent ill effect to anyone associated with welding, tacking, burning or heating. New Method and Precautions You may be interested to hear of a de velopment new to us at our plant. It may be new to some of you also. I refer to carbon arc burning in connection with smoothing off the large countersunk heads of tap bolts in armor plate decks. These heads were formerly chipped and ground off flush with the deck plates. This was a long, tiresome, rough and costly job. By the use of the carbon arc, they are burned off so that only a small amount of grind ing is necessary, thus cutting the time and labor to a minimum. (5/16" carbon, 400 amps., 7000 F.) Of course, the fume and dust hazard had to receive special consideration. This was accomplished by the use of a com pressed air jet, which blows the slag and carbon residue into exhauster funnels located at the ends of two 3" metallic flexible tubes with powerful portable ex 402 32nd National Safety Congress, 1943 hausters at the outlet ends of these same tubes. This equipment is skidded easily along the deck as required and is kept close to the job at all times, even eliminat ing the necessity for the use of respira tors. Seasonal Hazards Many other fumes must be controlled in shipyards. One of the seasonal hazards in our own plant will have to receive at tention before the advent of cold weather, which is just around the corner. Men will build fires in any kind of a receptacle in spite of safety men and supervision, and will use fuel, such as charcoal or coke, without stopping to realize the danger in volved and the necessity for proper venti lation. The resulting carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide gases are both deadly and create oxygen deficiencies. We recently issued a notice in connec tion with this hazard and posted it con spicuously. It stated that if any fire pots were found on ship contracts, plant pro tection men should immediately contact a safety inspector and be governed by his decision as to the removal of same. Fumes From Fires I think we should mention the danger of fumes from fires in ships on the ways, while under construction, and in the water after launching. Many of the fires may be trivial but there is always the possibility of men being trapped by smoke and toxic fumes and unable to get out from below decks. This is when the trained safety inspector or a good watch force man comes into the picture. He must quickly don a mask, hook on a life rope and go down to make sure everyone is out He must be followed as closely as possible by another man with a powerful electric lamp. If any deficiency of oxygen is sus pected, an oxygen breathing mask must be worn. Ventilation must be provided at once, smoke and fumes must be exhausted and a fresh supply of air blown in. Much could be added about the maxi mum allowable concentration for carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, but the main point to remember is that carbon monoxide is the number one poison killer, both in industrial and non-occupational life, following close upon auto as a cause of death. It is true that ever there is smoke you may su bon monoxide. By all means take no chances, wait for a chemist's report on the samn^ of air from suspected areas. Venh1ttc, Constant alertness on the part of watch ' force men and safety inspectors ia aa absolute necessity to combat such hazards The education of the men by their super, visors and the use of warning posters recommended, but above all, ventilation by exhaustion and the introduction of a fresh supply of air is imperative under these dangerous conditions. Several nar. row escapes from death have been expert, enced in shipbuilding due to the thought lessness of the men and not because of ignorance. They forget to think. Insulation Materials The use of insulation cement, if it con tains toxic solvents- such as carbon tetra chloride, is a menace to workmen unless precautions are taken to properly safe, guard them under such hazardous condi tions. A large shipyard recently experi enced such conditions which were brought to the attention of the plant health com mittee and the management. The result was that the entire supply was re-distilled and a substitute safe solvent provided, thus eliminating the hazard without loss of material. This demonstrates again^at careful planning will assure safe^^M^ production, always a winning pair.^^^^ The use of water repellent asbestos in sulation has recently replaced some types of material formerly used in ship work. For protection against dust or possible asbestosis from such material, it is rec ommended that both on ships and ia shops, or where the material is prepared, it be dampened and that dust respirators be worn, also that special ventilation be provided. Periodic medical examination of those exposed to such hazards is also necessary. Sand Blasting and Plating Sand blasting and shot blasting, with its silicosis hazard, can be done safeh if provision is made for standard sane blast rooms or cabinets. Special ventila Marine Section boa mast be provided, with frequent in fections of all equipment by an experi enced safety inspector or supervisor. This check-op must never be neglected. Regular periodic examinations, includf X-rays, are mandatory. The least sus- pedoa of a leaking face piece can be easily hiatal by the operator and should be farted at once to the safety department fta fasnediate correction. If an operator to eat sand, he will realize at once his equipment is not safe. and dust from friction saws in hops are easily removed by proper ex- totat ventilation and should be carried by <* from the machine to dust collectors f of the shops if possible. ^Plating room fumes, with modern ven|TMhg systems now available, are no problem in any up to date ship ' A few years ago, however, a dif*ta[.<tary could be told. changes in painting specifications J*l vessels have provided for the use ** chromate which, although perhaps ^particularly toxic, must be considered ^ grayed in small compartments, s are advocated along with safe i. When working in large shops plates are sprayed, after they in racks from the pickling use of air line respirators is ided, as these areas are too large it exhaust ventilation. Howoperators handling material in l!J*tions, especially above pickling ild be provided with respirators, be placed in the crane cabs to and vapor away from the must be furnished for any dust fumes or smoke from ice containing lead is breathed mple; when welding, cutting, king or straightening where metal, coated with paint con- Special ventilation, using hoods or tubing kept not from the job and drawing discharged where the conwill not be breathed, is istruction two types of ven d, local exhaust to remove fumes at the point of origin and general ventilation to supply fresh air to confined working spaces. Lacquer spraying, if done in approved booths, properly ventilated, presents no greater problem. When cleaning com pounds are being used, chemical cartridge respirators will give protection if con centrations are low. The use of proper extinguishers on dif ferent type fires must be considered. Fumes from the use of the wrong ones may cause the death of persons improp erly instructed. Periodic demonstrations by those responsible should be made for the benefit of firemen, watch force men, and safety inspectors. The use of instruc tive posters and bulletins is also advised. Fumigation of refrigerator spaces in ships practically ready for delivery is im portant Precautions must be taken to safeguard men whose duty it is to open and ventilate such spaces after fumiga tion. They must Wear all-service gas masks while installing temporary ventila tion equipment and, if a deficiency of oxygen is suspected, an oxygen breathing apparatus must be used. Cooperation of Management and Employee* An important item in ventilation of ships under construction is to impress manage ment with the necessity for co-operative planning by the engineering department and drawing rooms for the early installa tion of as much of the ships permanent ventilation system as possible, especially in engine and boiler rooms. Present con struction of naval vessels practically pro hibits the use 'of temporary ventilation units, dae to the inaccessibility of such spaces and the impossibility of bringing in fresh air, especially after they are closed in. The importance of the availability of trained ventilation men must be con sidered. Their services are vital in the avoidance of delays in maintaining con tinuous production. The elimination of fumes by their alertness to such hazards and inconveniences will help to minimize absenteeism and assure delivery of ships ahead of schedule, thus assuring a quicker victory. 404 32nd National Safety Congress, 1943 We must not forget the importance of organized 6rst aid crews trained in the use of inhalators, resuscitators"and ap proved methods of artificial respiration. These crews with portable emergency equipment must be available and ready to act at a moments notice. Perhaps one of the most important methods of impressing employees, espe cially new ones, with the idea of danger from respiratory and other hazards is through safety instruction in orientation classes before they start to work. This is being done in many industrial plants with marked success. We believe that such a program will be of vital interest who have had no previous sh~' perience. Before closing I want to met ventilation standards as recomn the LT. S. Navy Department--U. S,' time Commission, "Safety and Indw Health Manual in Contract Shipyaj^^. recent issue, and the "1021 Answer* Industrial Health and Safety ProblejJsS published this year by OccupatVj^lt Hazards, Inc. They are most helpftjTrJ I timely publications and should be av*),') able to everyone connected with safa* * programs in any industry. : ' Crane Safety LIEUT. COMDR. L. F. KENGLE, U.S.N. (Ret) A survey of the information at hand on crane safety shows that there is a wealth of material on this seVious subject. It has been exhaustively studied and reported. As you know, standards of safety have been set up by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, by the Bureau of Yards and Docks of the Navy Depart ment, by the National Safety Council, by the American Standards Association, by the states in their Industrial Accident Commissions and by the insurance carriers for private concerns. It should be apparent then, that since these extensive standards cover the design of the structure and the safety of the mechanical equipment and protective devices, cranes may be acquired, redesigned and overhauled with a maxi mum of assurance that from the items of design every known hazard to health and safety will be eliminated. Criticism of Present Rules From the above sources there may also be gained a well-rounded set of rules covering inspection and test. Not only is this information available from these sources, but methods of reporting, check ing and inspection can be set up, so that positive assurance may be had that these minimum standards will be maintained throughout the life of the equipment. These rules cover the vast majority of all crane operations. The only criticisms that may be leveled at these rules are: Firs* in the simplification of the rules so the* may be easily understood by all operatorssecondly, in the adequacy of the rules to cover all incidents; third, in the standardszation of the equipment used: and,.fourth, in providing weight indicators to supple ment on the part of the operators. . It requires judgment to make the rules fit into one's own crane problems. It * recommended that they be perused thor oughly, so that sets of rules and instruttions may be made out for each activity with extraneous material eliminate the instruction books issued to the tive personnel. Basis for Discipline We find it is better to base your dis cipline on a violation of a rule rather thaa upon an incident. This establishes in the minds of the operating personnel a reali zation of the significance of a published rule or regulation. Although the violatxm of a rule may not result in an accident, the continued violation of a published rule win eventually lead to a serious incident After an incident of serious nature, its effect has a disciplinary aspect. If the rules are ade quate, concise, and understandable and are complied with by personnel, no incident can occur. I believe that if we will check all of our