Document wryXr2JowaE2G65bOZ729Ga16

presence of asbestos calx on floors, equipment, end clothing, end excessive duct generation curing scooping and weighing. The levels during three different sampling periods were 8.74 fibers/ral, 3.01 fibers/ml, and 5.19 fibers/nil. These values do not vary significantly from those encountered at more fastidious blok preform operations. This lack of effect of parsonal variables tends to further indicate that the source of excessive asbestos exposure is common in origin- Remain ing, heavy sources of exposure at both book and blok preform are the mix buggies and tha manual operations associated there with. In relation to tho airborne lead results in Appendix No. 2, excursions above the 0.15 agAJ.^ Threshold Limit Value uera confined to two locations in Blok Preform. One of the loca tions was blok preform No. 5 (cample No. 25) which, as pre viously stated, was selected for sampling because of excessive duct generation, and poor housekeeping conditions. This opera tor also worked at Blok Preform No. 3 during the morning hours (sample No. 10) where airborne lead levels were high (.135 rog/K^) but not above the Threshold Limit Value. It would be aaviscable to provide this operator with instructions as to proper work habits and the need for consistent good housekeeping. Throughout tho plant, it was observed that only a few people were waaring respirators. In known exposure areas, only one man was so equipped. This operator's respirator was not worn continuously during dusty operations, but was only worn when the operator himself felt that protection was warranted. I inspected the respirator after the operator had deposited it on a dusty ledge, and found it to bo dirty, and smudged both inside and out, and the filter was thoroughly caked with asbestos fibers and particulates. It is imperative that a respiratory protection program be established in the plant whereby all exposed employees are provided with and required to wear approved, properly main tained respiratory protection. This recommendation has been sot forth in several previous reports. Although respirators are provided on a voluntary basis within tho plant, this is not sufficient since virtually all of the exposed employees remain unprotected. To have any positive or lasting effects the program must be implemented cn a mandatory basic. In addition, tho employees should be thoroughly instructed in the use of the equipment, and a central maintenance program should be established.