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Volume 34, Number 5 Contents for NOVEMBER, 1936 far Pn-blent's Address--Cassias H. JFaison. M.D............................11 fcw Rules for the Game of Life--Hon. Harold G. Hoffman............13 panning Safety for Tomorrow's Railroads--Ralph Budd ,............14 ifw Jersey Salutes Safety--Carman T. Fish......................................16 Officers of the National Safety Council, 1936-37 ............................. 20 potion Study Is Safety's Partner--William R. Mullee.....................22 [Oetroit's Drive for Safer Driving--C. F. Scheer............................... 25 jLtfs Handling Means Fewer Injuries--P. H. Hunter....................... 27 t <Hwrd at the Congress.......................................... 30 U Hunting We Will Go.!........................................................................32 [Uuer Known Facts About Occupational Diseases-- 1 Robert B. Hunt, M.D......................................................................... 34 ? Jerrosilicon--Industrial Data-SheetD-Chem. 20................................38 Did You See It at the Exhibit?--C. H. Miller....................................52 Trophy Winners in Sectional Contests ................................................ 58 National Officers.................................................................................... 62 REGULAR DEPARTMENTS Vitoria 1 9 '*e Managing Director's Page ...10 Safety Exchange ....................... 31 ^Wrial Health................................34 ae Bulletin Board............................40 *fet.r Instruction Cards...................48 The Safety Library........................... 64 Asked and Answered ....................... 66 Personals ..............................................73 Coming Events....................................77 The Honor Roll................. 89 With the Manufacturer...................90 a^IAN T. FISH, Editor - KERSHAW, Poner Editor C. F. SCHEER, Associate Editor C H. MILLER. Advertising Manager ^1 1 ItSI b. National B.faor t'Auaeit. * ' i'ih *n O. fl. A. KaiKtd u iremtl-diu matter J \l* 4t *** ^*otl t Guca*o. lU.. under ^ ----- - ,,J. 1*7?, AdOltleca; miry..at 3l Jo--oa. 10 netnhen f#r extr* lub--rlptlovu to I ^ ** RA>*KTT NE^Cr u Jt.bO per y**r. Sine!* `mu Keduoed euartUU pner* for yearly iurw --rttMloax mrt tintU m Suhtertotlen* ttr xrtiltbU only l* mvwbnt <* the Nxctontl fUfeiy Cornell - Ueaher Audit Bunu f Clr.\lUtton. *7L71tu**la is Ud*Md ia U-- Zodusutl Arts Index. Pittta--QU and pinten xcttnenl in trued truclr* -- lodltldutl opraMlont ft tuwr tuthm-t. n<n tlinee of tit# Nxtlaosj CiiunelL 13.70*1 rtiplex at (kin Issue were prilled. National Safety Council, inc, 70 w.-t.. n.:.._ i~l:______ tie a National Safety Council Officers, 1936-37 Cassius K. Watson, M. D. President I). U. Kennel. Vice-President for Pub lic Deletions Hast E. Fishes. M. D., Vice-President for Health John B. Gisson, Vice-President for Safety Councils Hon. Hasolb G. HorrxAN. Vice-Presi dent for Public Safety \lscst S. Riouu. Vice-President for Engineering A. V. BoHwsncs. Vice-President for In dustrial Safety R. T. Solenitzn. Vice - President for Membership Albest W. Whitnst, Vice-President for Education Wiujam E. Wosth, Vice-President for Finance and Treasurer W. H. Cameson. Managing Ulrrctor i Executive Committee Members at Large The Ason omesas and: Babble S. Bcttenkcix. The American City Hassv Guiuzst. The Pullman Co. and Surety Co. Hasst GlilssSt. The Pullman Co. William C. Knoclx. Milwaukee Safety Commission Eswaao J. MExasK. Portland Cement Assn. 1. W, Millasb. Industrial Gloees Corn. Hasold L. Minis. E. I. duPont de Ne mours 4 Co. Geoace . Santoro, General Electric Co. C. W. Smith, Standard Oil Co. (Ind.) Safety Council Representatives Roesst R. Wauucz. Worcester Safety Council Waltes Dent Smith, Delaware Safety Council Case L. Smith. Clereland Safety Connell E. J. CBaixK, Ja_ Louisville Safety Council R. B. FoarotN. Lehigh Valley Safet Council W. J. Mttntn, Chippewa County Safety Council Sectional Representatives liensuc J. Adams. Paper and Pulp C M. Allxn, Metals C. \V. Densest. Food C. \V. Giaas. Mining E. C. Holbrn. Jr.. Msrlne Hasst J. Kelley. Wood Products D. 1. Rotes. ASSE-Enalneeitut Past Presidents IIorkst \V. Cixmu I.aw R. Palmes Chasles P. Tolxam i Asthus H. YofNr. Mascvs A. Dow Lewis A. Daikon Carl R. Auel Charles It. Scott Waltes G. Kinc Lt.-Coi- Henbt A. Reninck C. Euccne Pettibone CaRI. W. llERGQl'ITT James I. HaMash John E. Long Honorary Members anarar w. camticll irw s etr c. r 8 t? \ 1-. : Qndu&biiaL epartment for Physicians and Laymen Lesser Known Facts About duce the original disease with all its dis comforts. Occupational Diseases One can readily see, then, that in somt cases investigation of previous occupa tions is quite necessary to determine the By ROBERT B. HUNT, M.D. original contact with lead. Heating of molten lead causes a black America* Mutual Ltablltta Iniurnnct Company scum-of lead suboxide to form on its surface, and the heat from the metal disburses the fine powder into the air. ROBABLY the leader in the pa . the discomfort now produced by in Hence, in the process of smelting ores P rade of industrial diseases is an acute or chronic inflammation of dustrial dermatitis. the skin which we call dermatitis. TMhies tals such as zinc, copper and silver, mixed with lead, we find a rather high lead poisoning rate. disease may present itself in any type of shop, factory or foundry. Any paste, powder, gas or liquid which comes in contact with the employee's skin, even the water supplied by the town in which he lives or works, may be the potential cause of such a skin disturbance. The wide diversity of causes, to gether with the varying susceptibility of different individuals, makes the problem of control difficult. Lead: The distribution of lead poisoning is quite extensive. The skin of the body is a protective covering, and as long as it remains in tact it does a good job except in the case of tetraethyl lead, which is used in blending gasoline and which is readily absorbed through the skin, having a tendency to create changes in the nerv ous system. The effect of other forms of lead, through that avenue of entrance, Those engaged in the manufacture of lead wire and cables, batteries, glass, pottery and rubber industries, plumbers and users of dry colors offer their share of lead poisoning cases. Probably the greatest source of lead poisoning may be found among those who sandpaper, scrape, chip or burn lead paint, for the dust and fumes caused by those activities are rather rapid in their action. Such workers may become in Much investigation is under way to determine why one person may be sus ceptible to a certain substance while an other is not. It has been proved many times that a poisonous substance formed is practically nil, which explains the ex tremely low poisoning rate in typeset ters, painters and others who continually come in contact with metallic lead. Lead in any form, introduced through capacitated in a few days because the inhalation of lead dust causes the maxi mum amount of absorption into the blood stream in the minimum space of time. I within the body has been able to prolong the action started by some external in fluence. A printer developed a marked dermatitis from ink which persisted for two years. Finally food tests were made and showed that he was susceptible to lettuce. Removing this from his diet cleared the skin. He returned to his usuaLr-ccupction viithcui: a return of symptoms. The poisoning of allergic substances is usually an accumulative process. It takes time to produce a manifestation of the mouth, acts rather slowly when com pared with the inhalation of lead dust or fumes. However, no matter what the portal of entry may be, lead is acted upon by the body fluids and so con verted that it may eventually be de posited within the bones. Those bony safe deposit vaults may retain their lead contents for days or for years, and if the exposure is removed, may also free the employee of all signs and symptoms of lead poisoning. But imagine the surprise of that supposedly Chromium: Chromium is a metal widely used as a foundation for colors, and dusts from its various salts may produce lesions of the skin and mucous membranes of the nose. Chromium plat ing by electrolysis may cause fumes which are similarly irritating. Although chromium poisoning does' not' "usually cause death, the number of days of ab sence from work on account of 'rX2' parity which it causes is gradual!;- in creasing. disease, but let any other substance cured person when years later, perhaps Other Metals: The most efficient cause the disease, and the irritating food following some type of infectious disease portals of entry of foreign substances may be of sufficient strength to mag or the excessive use of alcoholic bever into the body are the nose and mouth nify its action. ages, he awakes to find that he suffers The smaller the dust (the size of sm<Ar All cases of dermatitis cannot be the aches and pains and paralyses of an particles for example, the greater the cured by eliminating offending foods, acute lead poisoning. As the body fluids speed of absorption by the blood. Fun,f5. but further investigation along these alter lead that it may be deposited, so from hot metals carry not only Pjs`,n'_ lines may give us a clue with which to may those fluids attempt to de-lead the but numerous minute riust particle^ lessen the Ieras of time from work and hndv. nnd too rnnift ahe/irntinn mat- nro. *V'*WU 'tuuas VUh^r*vu *' electric cutting and welding. When men are so employed over a prolonged period of time, the constant inhalation of fumes and dust might pro duce symptoms of the metal upon which they work. In the shipbuilding trade, particularly in the construction of metal ships, we find occasional cases of metalfume fever. "Brass chills" and "spelter shakes" from zinc are names applied by the lay people to-such diseases.--The-ter rific heat applied to some of our com mon metals and alloys by acetylene torches produces sufficient fumes to cause a temporary incapacity in 24 hours. Permanent disability from such causes is rare, however. Diseases Due to Dust Twenty-five per cent of ail workers exposed to high concentrations of inor ganic dust are expected tp develop changes within their lungs due to that agency. We are at a loss to explain why the other 75 per cent are not so affected. Mining, quarrying, foundry work, grinding, sandblasting, abrasive soap manufacturing, asbestos work, the mak ing of emery and carborundum products and many other occupations offer op portunities for employees to inhale mic roscopic dust particles and create a foundation for possible future inca pacity. We are interested particularly in those men who work with sandstone, quartz, flint, granite, and sand, because they expose themselves to silica, and the chemical changes between that dust and the body fluids, in the presence of tuber culosis, may and usually do lead to a fatal ending. It is safe to say, in light of our present knowledge, that the action of other in organic dusts is much less virulent and incapacitating. That, however, does not allow us to lower the vigilant methods to improve dust control and protect em ployees, because all dusty occupations are'puCEiitial trotiuie makers."' Although the actions of various dusts differ within the body, the exposure to asbestos fibres, present in the weaving and grinding of dry asbestos material, offers another type of dust which may cause fatalities among workers. The organic dusts from cotton, silk, wool, tobacco, flour and similar sub stances are practically harmless. Such dusts rarely reach the lungs but may cause irritation of the windpipe and larger air-tubes and result at the most in a mild bronchitis. mind, particularly when dealing with silicosis and asbestosis, relates to the progression of such disease. When changes occur within the lungs as a re sult of the presence of such dusts, nature forms scar tissue to heal such lesions but may fail to stop when the job is finished. As a result, the continuation of that healing process may lead to such structural changes within the lungs thatpartial or-total incapacity may follow months or years after the employee has been removed from his dusty occupa tion. Benzol-Benzene Benzol is a distillate of coal tar used extensively in industry. It is an essentrial ingredient in the manufacture of explosives. It is an excellent solvent for grease, oils and cements, and because of that property it is important in many phases of the rubber and cleaning indus tries. In the manufacture of shoes ben.zol may be an ingredient of the dressing applied to the leather and of the cement which fastens the heels and soles. Not only in the shoe trade but in other branches of industry where employees work with gummy, sticky material, the workers soon leam of the solvent and cleansing action of this liquid and use it freely for that purpose upon them selves. The subsequent outbreak of skin afflictions may be the first indication of such unauthorized use. Benzol is extremely poisonous, enter ing either through the nose or mouth or absorbed through the skin. Its action within the body is varied and may pro duce a multitude of signs and symptoms. The bone marrow becomes affected which in turn alters the character of the blood; hemorrhages are common; it may cause death. The fumes from benzol are heavier than air and lie near the floor, which is an important point in the engineering problem of ventilation. The members of the benzene group are absorbed through the skin, and more cases of poisoning are found when men perspire than when their bodies are cool. Probably the answer to that is that the fumes may solidify as they cool and the powder may settle on the skin. The sweat on the body may dissolve this dust so that it is more readily absorbed through the increased surface blood supply. Chlorinated Hydrocarbons This group of petroleum derivatives lias heen known to science for years but the industrial field has been widely (jjs. tributed and most important. Led jjv carbon tetrachloride and its chemically associated members, it has furnished in. dustry with refrigerants, excellent soi. vents for rubber, wax, oil and grease thinners for lacquers and a very fjnf household necessity for the removal of spots from clothes. Hospitals have been using it more and more for the removal of adhesive plaster.,. Due to the non-flammability of car bon tetrachloride, it is used in fire ex tinguishers. The rapid evaporation pro duces fumes which may smother a small blaze, but we must not forget that ex cessive heat of the actual fire may bring about combustion sufficient to produce such by-products as hydrochloric acid and phosgene gas . Like its associated member, choloroform, it may produce sleep when inhaled by an individual, and only 1/350 of an ounce in a quart of air is necessary to produce such action. That thought must be remembered when a large quantity of those liquid products is spilled on the floor, perhaps accidentally. Action should be started at once before the liquid gasifies, and employes should be notified to keep their heads up to avoid the low ceiling of gas. Chemists have developed and intro duced to industry many new products, the basis of which is the chlorinated hy drocarbons. These derivatives of petro leum distillation are frequently combined with those from coal tar to form valua ble chemical combinations. They have been placed on the market so rapidly that medical science has been unable to determine their physiological effect upon the health of man. We have known tha' some of these chemicals are capable of creating changes in the liver, and or.iy recently in a city in Massachusetts urnof these newer products caused the death of two employees and a battle to retain life among two others. Carbon Monoxide You remember thr-ntianef- "Wherethere is smoke, there is fire." We might add to that, "Where there is fire there icarbon monoxide." This odorless but poisonous gas ma? occur in any industry r >n an>" ,ome but the poorer the ventilation the better the chance of producing physical capacity. Since the advent of the motor whose exhaust pipe may pour forth <* high as six per cent of carbon room*ide, we are all exposed to that gas. ticularly in crowded cities. The "r,':n' 111/ passenger cur nuefutca auuut iwv> cubic feet per minute, and one can readily estimate the physical damage that may be done if such a motor is allowed to run within the doors of a poorly venMlated garage or shop. For tunately, serious cases of such poison ing are not common among those em ployed in public garages, but many em ployes are likely to complain of head ache and faintness at the end of a day's work, especially in colder weather when doors and windows remain closed. In the steel industry, where gas is used as the heating agency in the blast furnaces, care must be taken to provide proper ventilation. Within the mines, workers are warned to allow enough time following blasts for the escape of this gas. Infection The skin is a protective covering of the body against infection and is ex tremely efficient as long as it remain in tact, but allowing it to be broken or punc tured introduces bacteria, and a battle ensues between the offensive agencies of infection and the defensive powers of the body. The winner of such a struggle may determine the presence or absence of incapacity. Infections are common throughout industry, but two types are particularly prominent--infection re sulting from anthrax and infection among meat packers and fishermen. Many of our fur, hair or wool- covered animals may contract anthrax. The germs of that disease defy the ordinary methods of sterilization and may linger on hides, bristles or hairs for long periods of time. Tanners, woo! sorters, and hair or bristle workers may introduce the anthrax spore beneath their skin and undergo much physical suffering and sometimes death. Infections are frequently found among meat and fish packers and those engaged in deep sea fishing. Although death rarely occurs, the loss of fingers, hands and nasty septic wounds are the result. 'Summary I feel that the time has come when an employer must demand of a manufac turer the answers to two questions: 1. How witl your product affect my hun- ness? 2. How will your product affect the Health of rnr employees? That employer is entitled to honest answers based upon sufficient chemical and physiological examinations of the questionable product. Too many lives have been lost or jeopardized by too little knowledge of a product's action ' '* - *> I* / Ferrosilicon,1 a.. ' i Industrial Data Sheet D-Chem. 20 / A. Problem 1. What are the hazards of ferrosilicon and what precautions are necessary in its use? B. Hazards 2. The principal hazard is that of poisoning by inhalation of the gases that may be given off, especially in the presence of moisture. C. Discussion 3. Ferrosilicon is prepared by melting iron ore or steel shavings with coal or coke and ganister or quartz at a temper ature of about 2,000 degrees centigrade (3,632 degrees Fahrenheit) in an elec tric furnace. In making steel, ferrostlicon is used for removing objectionable gases and oxides and also as an alloying dement. When alloyed with cast iron, it affects the carbides and renders the iron soft and gray. More concentrated silicon alloys are sometimes used in cer tain processes for making hydrogen gas and in the manufacture of explosives. .4 The hazard in connection with fer- rosiiicon results from very small percent ages of phosphorus together with other elements which may be present as im purities originating in the raw materials used. In the presence of moisture the phosphorus compounds react to form phosphorated hydrogen or phosphine. This is a gas which in sufficient quanti ties is decidedly poisonous. It has a strong and distinctive odor somewhat re sembling garlic so that its presence can be readily recognized. The stability of ferrosilicon depends upon its silicon con tent, grades below 48 percent and above 65 percent being entirely stable and ferrosilicon in these ranges does not give off 'any appreciable quantities of phosphine, even in the presence of moisture. It is, therefore, only in the intermediate range between 48 percent and 65 percent that there is any appre ciable hazard. Symptomi of Poisoning 5. When a person has breathed poison ous gases -liberated from ferrosilicon. the symptoms of poisoning usually de velop quite oiddenlv and are character ized by general and abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hemor rhages, loss- of consciousness, dilated pupils, cold clammy perspiration and coma. Cases - of poisoning have beer, mistaken for cholera, gastro-enteritii. ptomaine poisoning, pneumonia and in fluenza. First Aid 6. When a person displays any symptoms of poisoning because of the inhalation of the poisonous gases lib erated by ferrosilicon, he should be promptly removed to the fresh air and. if conscious, be given a mild alkali drink. If unconscious, the prone pressure method of artificial respiration should be started immediately after the patient has been removed to the fresh air. In all cases of poisoning the services of a doctor should be promptly obtained. Precautions 7. Ferrosilicon should be stored away from such places as offices and work rooms or living quarters of any descrip tion. 8. All buildings in which ferrosilicon is stored should be well ventilated and diy. (See Note X.) Ordinarily, in an open factory building the natural venti lation through monitors in the roof or through windows is sufficient if the ferrosflicon is kept diy. 9. If men are required to handle wet ferrosilicon in a confined space, artificial ventilation should be provided. 10. In case phosphine has been al lowed to accumulate in a closely con fined space such as a closed room or box car, so that a strong odor of the gas i? noticeable, no one, unless he is wearing a suitable gas mask -or-fresh air hose ' mask, should be allowed to enter the room until it has been thoroughly vrnre lated. (See Note Y.) NOTE X. Detailed Information on eentii* Hon will he found in National Safety Count*1 Safe Practice* Pamphlet No. 37 ~ioduifr*Ventilation." NOTE Y. Detailed Information oo'frwh ,r hose masks will be found Jn National Council Safe Practice* Pamphlet So. **Re*ntrator. <Jas .Mask*, lime Mask* #n t'.rcftlhlita Anoamtuv" National Safety Council, Inc. 20 North Wacker Drive _ Chicago, III.