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HHE Search Results
471 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
(1999) Astoria Metal Corporation Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California. (Click to open report) On May 7, 1997, the (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at Astoria Metal Corporation (AMC) located at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco, California. The request, which was submitted jointly by AMC management and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, raised concerns about repetitive motion injuries and metal exposures during welding, torch cutting, grinding, and abrasive blasting operations. Due to an ongoing OSHA investigation, NIOSH did not condu... (Click to show more)On May 7, 1997, the (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at Astoria Metal Corporation (AMC) located at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco, California. The request, which was submitted jointly by AMC management and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, raised concerns about repetitive motion injuries and metal exposures during welding, torch cutting, grinding, and abrasive blasting operations. Due to an ongoing OSHA investigation, NIOSH did not conduct a site visit until April 1998. On April 1, 1998, NIOSH researchers conducted an industrial hygiene and ergonomic evaluation on ships being repaired or dismantled on Dry Dock #4, to identify specific work areas and job tasks and to devise an air sampling and ergonomic evaluation plan. On April 2 and 3, 1998, personal breathing zone (PBZ) air samples and bulk paint chip samples were collected for metals analysis. NIOSH investigators also reviewed the lead and respiratory protection programs, and the OSHA 200 Log and Summary of Occupational Illnesses and Injuries. An ergonomic evaluation was conducted on selected employees performing welding tasks on Dry Dock #4, and on three office workers performing administrative duties that involved the use of personal computers. PBZ air samples were collected from AMC workers performing job tasks involving welding, grinding, and torch cutting. In the process area, three workers were monitored while torch cutting (with oxygen and propane) large metal structures (gimbal assembly) removed from the superstructure of the Glomar Explorer. In the dry dock, five workers were monitored while retrofitting and repairing two barges; two workers were underneath the barges and three were inside the barge tanks. Work activities included stick and metal inert gas (MIG) welding of new materials onto the barge. Also in the dry dock, two workers onboard the U.S.S. Ashtabula were monitored while torch cutting and removing non-ferrous materials such as brass, copper, and aluminum from the engine room. PBZ air sample results (8-hr, time -weighted averages (TWAs)) are separated into four work areas: the U.S.S. Ashtabula, the process area, inside the barge tank, and under the barge. On the U.S.S. Ashtabula, all four PBZ air sample lead concentrations exceeded the NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL), OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL), and the ACGIH threshold limit value (TLV) of 50 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3), with lead concentrations ranging from 253 to 435 ug/m3. Cadmium concentrations ranged from 10 to 61 ug/m3: all four PBZ air sample concentrations exceeded the PEL of 5 ug/m3 and TLV of 10 ug/m3. NIOSH considers cadmium to be a potential occupational carcinogen, and recommends that exposures be reduced to the lowest feasible levels. The highest lead and cadmium concentrations were collected from the worker torch cutting and removing non-ferrous materials. Nickel concentrations ranged from 14 to 55 ug/m3, with three of four PBZ air sample concentrations exceeding the REL of 15 ug/m3. Copper concentrations ranged from 168 to 362 ug/m3, with all four PBZ air sample concentrations exceeding the REL and the PEL of 100 ug/m3. The highest nickel and copper concentrations were collected from the firewatcher. In the process area, lead concentrations ranged from 41 to 399 ug/m3; four of five PBZ air sample concentrations exceeded the REL, PEL, and TLV of 50 ug/m3. Cadmium concentrations ranged from less than concentrations ranged from 1 to 43 ug/m3; three of five PBZ air samples exceeded the REL of 15 ug/m3. Copper concentrations range from 6 to 63 ug/m3; all five PBZ air sample concentrations were below the REL and the PEL. In the barge tank, lead concentrations ranged from 79 to 356 ug/m3; all five PBZ air sample concentrations exceeded the REL, PEL, and TLV. Nickel concentrations ranged from less than 0.6 to 3 ug/m3; all PBZ air sample concentrations were below relevant evaluation criteria. Manganese concentrations ranged from 82 to 873 ug/m3; four of five PBZ air sample concentrations exceeded the TLV of 200 ug/m3. Copper concentrations ranged from 11 to 19 ug/m3; all five PBZ air sample concentrations were below relevant evaluation criteria. Under the barge, lead concentrations ranged from less than 0.6 ug/m3 to 2.5 ug/m3; all four PBZ air sample concentrations were below relevant evaluation criteria. All nickel concentrations were below the minimum detectable concentrations (MDC) of concentrations ranged from 46 to 75 ug/m3; all PBZ air sample concentrations were below relevant evaluation criteria. Copper concentrations ranged from 2 to 5 ug/m3 and were below all relevant evaluation criteria. Workers performing tasks that involved welding, grinding, or torch cutting wore NIOSH-approved half-face, air-purifying respirators equipped with organic vapor and high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. NIOSH has given these respirators an assigned protection factor (APF) of 10. Therefore, the maximum use concentration (MUC) for these respirators for lead is 500 ug/m3 as an 8-hr TWA (OSHA PEL of 50 ug/m3 x APF of 10 = 500 ug/m3). The MUC for cadmium is 50 ug/m3 as an 8-hr TWA. Based on this information, if the respirators are properly fitted to the workers and used in conjunction with a comprehensive respiratory protection program, personal exposures to lead, nickel, copper, and manganese would be expected to be below the occupational exposure limit. However, two of four PBZ air sample concentrations collected from workers on the ship exceeded the MUC of 50 ug/m3 for cadmium for these respirators.
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(1999) Eagle-Picher Industries, Joplin, Missouri. (Click to open report) On October 20, 1995, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., in Joplin, Missouri. The request was submitted by a representative of the United Steelworkers of America Rubber/Plastic Industry Conference, in Akron, Ohio. The request concerned potential employee exposures to a number of chemical hazards, particularly lithium, mercury, and lead chromate, in various operations at the fac... (Click to show more)On October 20, 1995, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., in Joplin, Missouri. The request was submitted by a representative of the United Steelworkers of America Rubber/Plastic Industry Conference, in Akron, Ohio. The request concerned potential employee exposures to a number of chemical hazards, particularly lithium, mercury, and lead chromate, in various operations at the facility. Following a walkthrough survey at the plant on December 12-13, 1995, the NIOSH investigators focused on lithium exposures in the process room, pill room, and dry room 108; mercury exposures in the pit and pasting room; identifying an orange substance on the walls in the potting area; and investigating the cause of eye irritation in the solder room. NIOSH investigators returned to the plant on April 17, 1996, and conducted another walkthrough survey to plan for two full days of industrial hygiene and biological monitoring of employee exposures to lithium and mercury, which took place on April 18-19, 1996. For lithium, NIOSH investigators conducted an exposure assessment for all day-shift employees working in the process room, the pill room, and dry room 108. The exposure assessment was comprised of biological monitoring, full-shift personal breathing zone air monitoring, and hand-wipe sampling. In addition, a self-administered questionnaire was used to assess other factors that could affect serum lithium concentrations. Collection of serum specimens from 41 participants giving informed consent was conducted near the end of the day shift at the end of a work week, when serum lithium concentrations are expected to be at or near steady state. The geometric mean serum lithium concentration was 1.75 micrograms per liter (ug/l), with a range of "not detected" to 11.2 ug/l. These serum lithium concentrations were well below therapeutic and toxic concentrations established for patients taking lithium medication. Serum lithium concentrations, however, differed by work area, showing that occupational exposure was occurring. Workers in the process room (5.59 ug/l) and pill room (4.14 ug/l) had higher mean concentrations than workers in the dry room (1.09 ug/l). Over a 2-day period, NIOSH industrial hygienists collected full-shift personal breathing zone (PBZ) samples for lithium among 39 employees in the process room, the pill room, and dry room 108. The overall geometric mean concentration of lithium in air was 1.79 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3), with a range of "not detected" to 121.8 ug/m3. As with the serum concentrations, the air sampling indicated higher mean exposures for process room (25.9 ug/m3) and pill room workers (15.3 ug/m3) compared with dry-room workers (0.45 ug/m3). On the second day of sampling, hand -wipe samples for lithium were collected from 10 employees in the pill room and 14 employees in dry room 108. Samples were collected as employees left their work to go to lunch. The geometric mean of lithium on the wipe samples was 61.7 g, with a range of 9 to 649 g. The mean result among pill room workers (174.9 g) was higher than those among dry -room workers (29.3 g). Additional environmental samples were collected to address other issues raised in the request. Analysis of a bulk sample of dust collected from a diffuser in the potting area showed that the majority of the sample was composed of a variety of phthalate esters. Bis-phenol A and some of its derivatives, which are consistent with the presence of epoxy resins, were also major components. The presence of the constituents of the potting compounds on the diffuser may indicate that these substances are being recirculated in the workroom air. A wipe sample was collected from the exterior of a duct near the diffuser. The sample was analyzed for metals. Results showed the presence of aluminum, barium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, lithium, magnesium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, lead, phosphorous, silver, titanium, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, zirconium. Two short-term PBZ air samples were collected to assess employee exposure to rosin solder flux decomposition products, specifically aldehydes and formaldehyde. The results indicated that none of these products were present in amounts greater than the limits of detection for the method. Mercury (Hg) exposure monitoring and urine Hg concentrations were determined among workers in the Hg treatment and negative pasting areas. The overall average Hg full-shift time weighted average (TWA) exposure concentration was 18.3 ug/m3, and the TWA exposure concentrations ranged from 3.5 to 48.3 ug/m3. Only 2 of 17 full-shift TWA Hg exposure measurements exceeded the American Conference of Governmental and Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) TLV for Hg of 25 ug/m3, and both of these were from processors in the negative pasting area. In general, Hg exposures in the negative pasting area were slightly higher than those in the Hg treatment area. No Hg over-exposures were found during short-term, task-based air sampling. Only 1 of 17 workers had a urine Hg concentration above the ACGIH Biological Exposure Index, and the reasoning behind this high level could not be determined in this survey.
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(1999) Forest Park Police Department, Forest Park, Ohio. (Click to open report) On June 30, 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) request from an employer representative of the Forest Park Police Department (FPPD). The requester was concerned for potential exposure to lead among range users. NIOSH investigators originally assigned to this HHE request conducted a walk-through evaluation on July 14, 1997, and a more thorough industrial hygiene evaluation on July 29, 1997. In November 1998, this HHE wa... (Click to show more)On June 30, 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) request from an employer representative of the Forest Park Police Department (FPPD). The requester was concerned for potential exposure to lead among range users. NIOSH investigators originally assigned to this HHE request conducted a walk-through evaluation on July 14, 1997, and a more thorough industrial hygiene evaluation on July 29, 1997. In November 1998, this HHE was reassigned because of personnel changes within NIOSH. Subsequently, a walk-through survey of the police firing range was conducted by the new hygienist on November 4, 1998, and further evaluations were conducted on December 10th and 21st, 1998.
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(1999) Oakes and Parkhurst Glass, Winslow, Maine. (Click to open report) On November 10, 1998, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a management request from Oakes and Parkhurst Glass in Winslow, Maine, to evaluate tasks and tools involved in the aftermarket installation of automotive windshields. There was concern that vibration exposure from some of the new power tools available to perform the task might lead to long term musculoskeletal and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HVAS) problems among the workers. The company also was see... (Click to show more)On November 10, 1998, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a management request from Oakes and Parkhurst Glass in Winslow, Maine, to evaluate tasks and tools involved in the aftermarket installation of automotive windshields. There was concern that vibration exposure from some of the new power tools available to perform the task might lead to long term musculoskeletal and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HVAS) problems among the workers. The company also was seeking help in developing an accident and injury prevention program. The use of vibrating tools to cut through windshield adhesive was associated with awkward postures of the arm, shoulder, and wrist, and with acceleration levels restricting the amount of time the vibrating tools could be used daily. Lifting and setting windshield glass in place without the assistance of another worker was determined to be beyond the capabilities of all but the strongest workers.
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(1999) San Francisco Municipal Railway, Flynn Facility, San Francisco, California. (Click to open report) The Director of Public Transportation for the City and County of San Francisco, California, requested that the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conduct a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at the San Francisco Municipal Railway's Flynn Facility. This facility serves as a base of operations for approximately 123 diesel -powered buses, leading to employee exposures to diesel-engine exhaust emissions in the workplace air. The requester, concerned about the potential adverse ... (Click to show more)The Director of Public Transportation for the City and County of San Francisco, California, requested that the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conduct a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at the San Francisco Municipal Railway's Flynn Facility. This facility serves as a base of operations for approximately 123 diesel -powered buses, leading to employee exposures to diesel-engine exhaust emissions in the workplace air. The requester, concerned about the potential adverse effects of these exposures on workers' health and about the apparent ineffectiveness of the facility's ventilation systems and other exposure-control measures, asked that NIOSH evaluate workplace exposures along with the ventilation system and other control measure and recommend appropriate improvements.
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(1999) Yankton Sioux Tribe -Marty Indian School, Marty, South Dakota. (Click to open report) On February 25, 1998, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) from management at the Yankton Sioux Tribe-Marty Indian School in Marty, South Dakota. The request concerned worker exposures to various contaminates (i.e., metals) contained in fly ash from burning used motor oil in the school's boilers. Additional concerns regarded the possibility of lead contamination in the plumbing and machine shop areas adjacent to... (Click to show more)On February 25, 1998, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) from management at the Yankton Sioux Tribe-Marty Indian School in Marty, South Dakota. The request concerned worker exposures to various contaminates (i.e., metals) contained in fly ash from burning used motor oil in the school's boilers. Additional concerns regarded the possibility of lead contamination in the plumbing and machine shop areas adjacent to the boiler room. An initial evaluation at the Mary Indian School was conducted on March 6, 1998, to become familiar with the boiler cleaning process and to investigate the possibility of lead contamination in the boiler room, plumbing shop, and machine shop areas.
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(1998) Avondale Shipyards, New Orleans, Louisiana. (Click to open report) In response to a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) received on July 9, 1997, from the Machinist Union, New Orleans Metal Trades Council, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted an initial site visit on August 27, 1997, and a follow-up survey on October 21-23, 1997, at the Avondale Shipyards in Avondale, Louisiana. Dust from sandblasting, welding fumes, contaminants from burning paint, and various solvents associated with fiberglass work were potenti... (Click to show more)In response to a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) received on July 9, 1997, from the Machinist Union, New Orleans Metal Trades Council, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted an initial site visit on August 27, 1997, and a follow-up survey on October 21-23, 1997, at the Avondale Shipyards in Avondale, Louisiana. Dust from sandblasting, welding fumes, contaminants from burning paint, and various solvents associated with fiberglass work were potential exposures listed on the request. Health problems reported in the request included breathing problems and nose bleeds. An interim report describing the actions taken by NIOSH during the initial site visit, and providng preliminary findings and recommendations, was issued on September 23, 1997.
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(1998) Bananas! Gifts, Incorporated, Clarkdale, Arizona. (Click to open report) On April 4, 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at the Bananas! Gifts, Inc. facility in Clarkdale, Arizona. The confident request expressed concern over possible exposure to lacquer solvents, abrasive-blasting materials, and a patina solution (brown or green layer on copper as a result of oxidation). Concern was also expressed over "homemade" heavy machinery, ventilation, and protective clothing. The empl... (Click to show more)On April 4, 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at the Bananas! Gifts, Inc. facility in Clarkdale, Arizona. The confident request expressed concern over possible exposure to lacquer solvents, abrasive-blasting materials, and a patina solution (brown or green layer on copper as a result of oxidation). Concern was also expressed over "homemade" heavy machinery, ventilation, and protective clothing. The employees reported symptoms of rashes, nose sores, and hyperventilation. On November 5 and 6, 1997, NIOSH conducted a site visit at the Bananas! Gifts, Inc. facility. Area and short-term personal breathing zone (PBZ) air samples were collected on November 6, 1997. NIOSH investigators collected 6 PBZ and 6 area air samples for metals, 4 PBZ and 3 area air samples for 2-butoxyethanol, 2 PBZ and 2 area air samples for inorganic acids, 3 area air samples for respirable dust, and 2 area air samples for methylene chloride. During the sampling period, employees switched from operation to operation with a working duration ranging from a few minutes to 2-3 hours. The length of time at a specific operation with a working duration ranging from a few minutes to 2-3 hours. The length of time at a specific operation depends mainly upon the customer orders received for a particular item. Therefore, full-shift PBZ air samples were not collected.
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(1998) General Electric, Bridgeville Glass Plant, Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) On August 15, 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) from the International Union of Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers. This request centered on a union concern that employees at General Electric - Bridgeville Glass Plant (GEBGP), Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, were exposed to hazardous concentrations of mercury (Hg) during glass tubing manufacturing and maintenance activities.
On August 15, 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) from the International Union of Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers. This request centered on a union concern that employees at General Electric - Bridgeville Glass Plant (GEBGP), Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, were exposed to hazardous concentrations of mercury (Hg) during glass tubing manufacturing and maintenance activities.
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(1998) Stericycle, Inc., Morton, Washington. (Click to open report) At the request of Washington State's Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) and Department of Health (DOH), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) evaluated the potential for occupational exposures to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and bloodborne pathogens from the processing of medical waste. Events leading to the request for technical assistance included an outbreak of suspected occupationally-related tuberculosis (TB) among employees at Stericycle, Inc. in Morto... (Click to show more)At the request of Washington State's Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) and Department of Health (DOH), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) evaluated the potential for occupational exposures to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and bloodborne pathogens from the processing of medical waste. Events leading to the request for technical assistance included an outbreak of suspected occupationally-related tuberculosis (TB) among employees at Stericycle, Inc. in Morton, Washington. An initial site visit was conducted November 18-20, 1997, and a subsequent evaluation of the facility was performed January 26-29, 1998. The information contained in this report reflects conditions at the facility at the time of these evaluations. An interim report, including initial recommendations, was distributed on March 13, 1998.
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