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HHE Search Results
86 HHE reports were found based on your search terms. Reports are listed in order of year published with the most recently published reports listed first.
Year Published and Title
(1997) Carbon monoxide intoxication and death in a newly constructed sewer manhole. (Click to open report) This report describes three cases of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in a manhole, including one fatality, from CO migrating through soil after nearby use of explosives. A municipal sewer project involved installation of new pipes and manholes. Work of the general construction contractor was interrupted when a subcontractor detonated 265 pounds of nitroglycerin-based explosive 40-60 feet south of the manhole to break up underlying rock. A construction worker who descended into the manhole 45 m... (Click to show more)This report describes three cases of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in a manhole, including one fatality, from CO migrating through soil after nearby use of explosives. A municipal sewer project involved installation of new pipes and manholes. Work of the general construction contractor was interrupted when a subcontractor detonated 265 pounds of nitroglycerin-based explosive 40-60 feet south of the manhole to break up underlying rock. A construction worker who descended into the manhole 45 minutes after the explosion collapsed within minutes, and two co-workers descended into the manhole to rescue him. One rescuer retrieved the unconscious worker, and the other rescuer died in the manhole. All workers had elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels. In the subsequent NIOSH investigation, air monitoring was conducted with real-time instruments, and air samples were collected in Tedlar bags. Laboratory analyses of the bag samples collected near the bottom showed 1905 parts per million (ppm) CO, 19.5% oxygen, and 3% carbon dioxide. Direct reading instruments showed progressively higher concentrations as the sensor was lowered into the manhole. Subsequent chamber tests on sample explosive yielded 27 liters CO per kilogram detonated. Based on this value, the surface blast at the construction site may have produced about 3,250 liters (114.8 cubic feet) CO. The CO in this incident most likely was released from the nearby explosion and migrated through soil and fractured rock into the manhole. The blasting and construction industries should be made aware of this previously unrecognized CO exposure hazard associated with surface blasting. The extent of CO exposure from explosives used in construction is not known, and additional information on the extent of CO exposure must be collected. In addition, confined space entry procedures (including monitoring confined space atmospheres before entry) should be observed; CO monitoring of confined spaces in the presence of blasting can prevent future incidents such as this one.
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(1996) Bruce Mansfield Power Station, Shippingport, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union Local 47, an investigation was begun into possible exposure to arsenic (7440439) and other heavy metals during the rebuilding of coal fired boilers at the Bruce Mansfield Power Station (SIC-4911), Shippingport, Pennsylvania. Metal concentrations were measured in 45 personal breathing zone (PBZ) samples; an additional 12 PBZ samples were monitored for exposure to respirable dust and silica (14808607). Eight bulk ash samples and 11 ... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union Local 47, an investigation was begun into possible exposure to arsenic (7440439) and other heavy metals during the rebuilding of coal fired boilers at the Bruce Mansfield Power Station (SIC-4911), Shippingport, Pennsylvania. Metal concentrations were measured in 45 personal breathing zone (PBZ) samples; an additional 12 PBZ samples were monitored for exposure to respirable dust and silica (14808607). Eight bulk ash samples and 11 hand wipe samples were taken. The workers put in 60 hour work weeks, 10 hours a day for 6 days. Arsenic was detected in 18 samples and ranged from 0.30 to 31 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3) with three of the samples exceeding the adjusted OSHA permissible exposure limit of 5.6microg/m3. In 11 samples, beryllium (7440417) was detected, and ranged from 0.02 to 0.04microg/m3. Cadmium (7440439) was detected in seven samples and ranged from 0.17 to 2.5microg/m3. Both the beryllium and cadmium concentrations were below the allowable limits. Lead (7439921) concentrations were measurable in 12 samples and ranged from 1.7 to 1,82microg/m3, with one sample exceeding the OSHA limit of 28microg/m3. Crystalline silica was below the detectable limit. Wipe samples collected from the hands of the employees indicated the potential for exposure through ingestion. The author concludes that there was a potential hazard from exposure to arsenic, beryllium, and lead. The author recommends that housekeeping procedures and work practices be improved to reduced exposures.
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(1996) Cooper Power Systems, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to a confidential employee request, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at Cooper Power Systems (SIC-3452), East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. The request expressed concern over repetitive motion causing carpal tunnel syndrome and other musculoskeletal disorders in the department where power line hardware was assembled. Specifically, the worker was concerned over threading nuts onto bolts and the nutting room assemblers. An ergonomic evaluation was perf... (Click to show more)In response to a confidential employee request, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at Cooper Power Systems (SIC-3452), East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. The request expressed concern over repetitive motion causing carpal tunnel syndrome and other musculoskeletal disorders in the department where power line hardware was assembled. Specifically, the worker was concerned over threading nuts onto bolts and the nutting room assemblers. An ergonomic evaluation was performed during a walk through of the facility. Confidential interviews were held with all 14 assemblers. The most notable ergonomic stressor for upper extremity injury was the presence of stereotyped repetitive motions. Workers were performing far in excess of the normal piece rate. OSHA medical logs indicated elbow tendinitis, wrist disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, finger tendinitis, forearm tendinitis, and cervical radiculopathy. Eight of the 14 workers interviewed indicated they have hand pain during the work activities. One had carpal tunnel syndrome surgery. Seven of the 14 felt that the production rates were too high. The authors conclude that the high repetition rates of the jobs at the assembly site posed a high risk of upper extremity disorders. The authors recommend that work station redesign and tool substitutions be used to reduce the risk of injury.
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(1996) Philadelphia School District, Franklin Learning Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, an investigation was begun into possible exposure to lead (7439921) at the Franklin Learning Center (SIC-8211), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The building was about 85 years old. There were about 90 employees; blood lead tests and hand wipe sampling were performed on 45. Water sampling showed lead concentrations less than the 3 parts per billion (ppb). Surface wipe samples were collected from floors, desks, and window sills. Wi... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, an investigation was begun into possible exposure to lead (7439921) at the Franklin Learning Center (SIC-8211), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The building was about 85 years old. There were about 90 employees; blood lead tests and hand wipe sampling were performed on 45. Water sampling showed lead concentrations less than the 3 parts per billion (ppb). Surface wipe samples were collected from floors, desks, and window sills. Window sills in nonabated and abated areas were sampled. Dust lead loadings exceeded HUD guidelines on 26% of all window sills sampled. Floors in nonabated and abated areas were also sampled with HUD guidelines for lead on floors being exceeded in 17 of the nonabated and three of the abated areas. Dust lead loading on desktops ranged up to 230 micrograms/square foot. Wipe samples from hands of employees contained from 2 to 160 micrograms lead. All blood lead levels were low, ranging from 0.6 to 5.6 micrograms per deciliter. While severe peeling of lead based paint was found and significant dust lead loadings were present, the authors conclude that a hazard from lead exposure was not found at the school for the staff.
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(1996) Standard Steel, Burnham, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to a request from current employees of Standard Steel (SIC-3296) located in Burnham, Pennsylvania, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at that site. Workers were concerned about exposures to alumino-silicate fiber insulation which lined the interior of the industrial furnaces. A total of 16 time weighted average personal breathing zone and work area samples were collected and analyzed for total and respirable particulates. Respirable quartz (14808607... (Click to show more)In response to a request from current employees of Standard Steel (SIC-3296) located in Burnham, Pennsylvania, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at that site. Workers were concerned about exposures to alumino-silicate fiber insulation which lined the interior of the industrial furnaces. A total of 16 time weighted average personal breathing zone and work area samples were collected and analyzed for total and respirable particulates. Respirable quartz (14808607) was detected in one refractory ceramic fiber (RCF) removal sample, below the minimum quantifiable concentration. No cristobalite was detected in any of the samples. The ten time weighted average area total particulate samples from Heat Treatment Plant Number One and RCF removal operations ranged from 0.10 to 0.52mg/m3. No quartz or cristobalite was detected in any of these samples. It was recommended that workers handling RCF should wear specific levels of respiratory protection and that company officials should monitor RCF concentrations regularly to characterize the task specific exposures to RCF. Such information will assist the company in determining the appropriate level of respiratory protection for specific tasks.
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(1995) Johnson Brothers Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to a management request from Johnson Brothers Company (SIC-1721), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, an investigation was begun into possible health hazards at steel plate sandblasting and painting operations. The company employed about 20 workers in the surface preparation and painting of steel plate water tanks at sites throughout the country. Environmental sampling was perform at two sites in Pennsylvania. Workers were noted to be overexposed to crystalline silica (14808607) during tank in... (Click to show more)In response to a management request from Johnson Brothers Company (SIC-1721), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, an investigation was begun into possible health hazards at steel plate sandblasting and painting operations. The company employed about 20 workers in the surface preparation and painting of steel plate water tanks at sites throughout the country. Environmental sampling was perform at two sites in Pennsylvania. Workers were noted to be overexposed to crystalline silica (14808607) during tank interior sandblasting and shoveling operations at the Pike County site. Airborne concentrations of respirable silica during blasting exceeded the recommended exposure limit (REL) from NIOSH by a factor of 300 to 540. An abrasive blasting hood with an assigned protection factor (APF) of only 25 was used. During sand shoveling operations the REL was exceeded by a factor of 94 while the respirator with an APF of only 10 was used. Deficiencies were noted in the respiratory protection and hearing conservation programs at the site. Eleven of the 13 employees at these sites participated in the medical evaluation. Three had abnormal spirometry test results, and an obstructive pattern of abnormalities. The authors conclude that a health hazard existed at the time of the survey due to exposure to respirable crystalline silica. The authors recommend that effective respiratory protection, hearing conservation, and medical surveillance programs be implemented, and a less toxic abrasive blasting material be used.
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(1994) Dauphin County Prison, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to a request from prison management and the Chauffeurs, Teamsters, and Helpers Local Union 776, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at the Dauphin County Prison (SIC-9223) located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The request indicated that correctional officers experienced rash, elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, headaches, and throat irritation. The Prison consisted of the main prison and attached Spring Creek facility. The main prison held ... (Click to show more)In response to a request from prison management and the Chauffeurs, Teamsters, and Helpers Local Union 776, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at the Dauphin County Prison (SIC-9223) located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The request indicated that correctional officers experienced rash, elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, headaches, and throat irritation. The Prison consisted of the main prison and attached Spring Creek facility. The main prison held 500 male prisoners and the Spring Creek facility held 142 minimum security male and 72 female prisoners. The medical records for 17 employees were reviewed and 30 employees were interviewed. Results indicated that the symptoms fell into the general class of allergy related to the skin, the mucosal surfaces and/or upper airways. Employees also complained of problems with thermal comfort and high stress. Several environmental deficiencies were noted including carbon- dioxide concentrations, temperature and relative humidity imbalances, and an undersupplying of outdoor air to ventilation systems. Recommendations were offered to continue medical evaluation of medical complaints, improve the communication channels in the facility, establish a nonsmoking environment, remove all contaminated acoustical tiling, evaluate the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to assure that it is adequately sized and designed for current application, and establish a preventive maintenance schedule for the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system.
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(1994) Delaware County Resource Recovery Facility, Chester, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to a confidential request, an investigation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the Delaware County Resource Recovery Facility (SIC-4053), Chester, Pennsylvania. The facility was a waste to energy incinerator employing 91 persons. The facility incinerated municipal solid waste and refuse derived fuel to produce electrical power. The request was made in response to concern regarding exposure to lead (7439921), incinerator ash dust, and heat stress. Health concerns inc... (Click to show more)In response to a confidential request, an investigation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the Delaware County Resource Recovery Facility (SIC-4053), Chester, Pennsylvania. The facility was a waste to energy incinerator employing 91 persons. The facility incinerated municipal solid waste and refuse derived fuel to produce electrical power. The request was made in response to concern regarding exposure to lead (7439921), incinerator ash dust, and heat stress. Health concerns included ear, nose and throat problems, eye irritation, and skin rash. During the initial visit, lead and other metals were found in settled dust throughout the facility. Lead, chromium (7440473), cadmium (7440439), and nickel (7440020) were present on lunch tables and on workers' hands. During a follow up visit, full shift personal air monitoring was conducted. The greatest concentrations of lead were found in bulk, wipe and air samples. Personal breathing samples taken showed that lead concentrations were well below the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit of 50 micrograms/cubic meter. A potential for excessive heat exposure was found on the fifth and sixth floor of the facility. Safety hazards cited during this visit included improper practices regarding personal protective equipment and inadequate personal hygiene practices such as handwashing. The authors conclude that a possible occupational health hazard existed due to heat exposure in some areas of the facility. The presence of metal in dust on workers' hands and surfaces presented a risk of ingestion.
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(1994) Exxon Chemical Company, Pottsville Film Plant, Polyethylene Film Department, Mar-Lin, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at the Exxon Chemical Company Pottsville Film Plant (SIC-3081), Mar-Lin, Pennsylvania. Particular attention was directed toward workers in the polyethylene department regarding complaints of respiratory problems, skin irritation, noise, and carpal tunnel syndrome. This department employed 53 workers, with an average of 15.5 years of service... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at the Exxon Chemical Company Pottsville Film Plant (SIC-3081), Mar-Lin, Pennsylvania. Particular attention was directed toward workers in the polyethylene department regarding complaints of respiratory problems, skin irritation, noise, and carpal tunnel syndrome. This department employed 53 workers, with an average of 15.5 years of service. A medical survey and an environmental survey were conducted. While there was no medical evidence of any long term adverse health effects associated with the work in this department, irritant symptoms were reported which could result from the exposures. Formaldehyde (50000) was detected above the allowable limit of 0.016 parts per million in three area air samples. Trace amounts of hydrocarbons were detected. The authors conclude that there was a potential for exposure to formaldehyde. The authors recommend that environmental monitoring and medical surveillance programs be continued at the company and that all process technicians receive periodic training on the company's safety critical procedure of Removing Stagnant Bubble Air. It may be necessary to require the use of full face respiratory protection when working with or near bubble breaks.
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(1994) Lasko Metal Parts, Inc., R and S Manufacturing, Inc., Columbia, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to a management request, an investigation was conducted of a new epoxy powder recycling process and epoxy powder exposures at R and S Manufacturing (SIC-3634), Columbia, Pennsylvania, a division of Lasko Metal Parts. The company produced electric motors used in oscillating fans. An epoxy powder was sprayed onto the motors and heat cured. Eight employees worked in the epoxy powder room. Personal breathing zone air samples were analyzed for C7 to C11 naphthas and 1,1,1-trichloroethane ... (Click to show more)In response to a management request, an investigation was conducted of a new epoxy powder recycling process and epoxy powder exposures at R and S Manufacturing (SIC-3634), Columbia, Pennsylvania, a division of Lasko Metal Parts. The company produced electric motors used in oscillating fans. An epoxy powder was sprayed onto the motors and heat cured. Eight employees worked in the epoxy powder room. Personal breathing zone air samples were analyzed for C7 to C11 naphthas and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (71556) (TCE). General area air samples were analyzed for fiber identification, content of respirable dust, and crystalline silica (14808607). Only trace concentrations of wollastonite (13983170) were identified in the general air samples taken. Respirable dust general area air samples ranged from 0.20 to 0.24mg/m3. Results for crystalline silica were below the minimum detectable concentrations. Deficiencies were noted during a visual inspection of the local exhaust ventilation system. These deficiencies may have contributed to the minor symptoms of heat stress which were reported by employees. Potential lead (7439921) exposure was identified for workers in the wire department due to an inadequate exhaust hood design and poor work practices. Welding fumes from a manual spot welding station were exhausted into the factory. The authors conclude that exposures to epoxy powder were below nuisance dust criteria; however, exposures should be minimized. The authors recommend that exhaust ventilation deficiencies be corrected.
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