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Hidden Hazard: Placing Babies in Adult Beds The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) has recently launched a national safety campaign aimed at reducing deaths associated with placing babies in adult beds. CPSC data shows that from 1999 through 2001 at least 180 children under the age of two died after being placed in adult beds. "Many parents may be unaware of the hidden dangers associated with placing babies in adult beds," said Acting CPSC Chairman Thomas Moore. "We are warning parents that simply pushing an adult bed against a wall or lining the edges of a bed with pillows won't protect their babies. In fact, these practices place infants in danger of suffocation and entrapment." The CPSC data shows that babies placed in adult beds are at risk of dying from the following hazards:
The CPSC recommends the following:
Workplace
injury cost year 2000 Everyone in our modern society is exposed to the electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) that surround all electric devices. Recently, scientific studies have raised questions about the possible health effects of EMFs. This fact sheet answers frequently asked questions about EMFs in the workplace. You can use this information to help identify EMF sources at work and to take simple steps for reducing exposures. However, you cannot use this information to judge the safety of your exposures, since the scientific evidence does not yet show whether EMF exposures are hazardous. 1. What are EMFs? EMFs are invisible lines of force created whenever electricity is generated or used. Power lines, electric wiring and electric equipment and appliances produce EMFs. The frequency of EMFs is measured in hertz (Hz, or cycles per second). People are exposed to both electric and magnetic fields, but scientists are most concerned about magnetic fields. This fact sheet deals only with magnetic fields that have frequencies near 60 Hz the frequency of electric power in North America. 2. What do we know about workplace exposures to EMFs? Workers may be exposed to high magnetic fields if they work near electrical systems that use large amounts of electric power (for example, large electric motors, generators, or the power supply or electric cables of a building). High magnetic fields are also found near power saws, drills, copy machines, electric pencil sharpeners, and other small electric appliances. The strength of the magnetic field depends on equipment design and current flow not on equipment size, complexity, or voltage. Though some electric equipment produces EMFs of other frequencies, most health research has considered only frequencies near 60 Hz. 3. What are some typical EMF exposures on the job? The EMF exposures for many jobs have not been measured, but the following table shows average exposures to magnetic fields for typical workers who use electric equipment. Exposures during a work shift vary with the strength of the magnetic field, the worker s distance from the EMF source, and the time the worker spends in the field. 4. Do EMFs cause cancer or other health effects? Studies have shown that some workers exposed to high magnetic fields have increased cancer rates. But such associations do not necessarily show that EMF exposures cause cancer (any more than the springtime association of robins and daffodils shows that one causes the other). Scientists have looked carefully at all the EMF evidence, but they disagree about the health effects of EMFs except to say that better information is needed. 5. What DO studies show about the health effects of EMFs in workers? Many studies report small increases in the rate of leukemia or brain cancer in groups of people living or working in high magnetic fields. Other studies have found no such increases. The most important data come from six recent studies of workers wearing EMF monitors to measure magnetic fields. All but one study found significantly higher cancer rates for men with average workday exposures above 4 milligauss. However, the results of these studies disagree in important ways such as the type of cancer associated with EMF exposures. So scientists cannot be sure whether the increased risks are caused by EMFs or by other factors. A few preliminary studies have also associated workplace EMFs with breast cancer, and one study has reported a possible link between occupational EMF exposure and Alzheimer s disease. The data from all of these studies are too limited for scientists to draw conclusions. However, a national research effort is under way, and more study results are expected in a few years. No increased leukemia has been reported overall in studies of welders, yet they are among the occupations with the highest EMF exposures. 6. Are there exposure limits for worker exposures to EMFs? Because of the scientific uncertainty, no Federal limits for worker exposures to EMFs have been recommended or established in the United States. Two private organizations have developed guidelines to protect workers from the known effects of extremely high exposures (that is, those more than 1,000 times the exposures typically found in occupational environments). However, these guidelines do not address the possible health effects of the low EMF exposures usually found on the job. 7. Should workers and employers try to reduce exposures to EMFs? The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and other government agencies do not consider EMFs a proven health hazard. Because some studies have associated high magnetic field exposures with increased cancer risks, the government will continue studying EMFs. While research continues, concerned workers and employers might consider the following simple, inexpensive measures for reducing EMF exposures: Inform workers and employers about possible hazards of magnetic fields. Increase the worker's distance from the EMF source. Since magnetic fields often drop off dramatically within about 3 feet of the source, workers can stand back from electrical equipment, and work stations can be moved out of the 3-ft range of stronger EMF sources. Use low-EMF designs wherever possible (for the layout of office power supplies, for example). Reduce EMF exposure times. No action should be taken to reduce EMF exposure if it increases the risk of a known safety or health hazard such as electrocution. 8. What is NIOSH doing about EMF exposures? NIOSH has been evaluating the possible health effects of EMFs since 1991. NIOSH scientists have measured the fields in workplaces where employees are concerned about their EMF exposures; they are also studying the biological effects of EMFs. In addition, NIOSH scientists work cooperatively with researchers in universities and other Federal agencies to share their study results. These cooperative efforts have increased recently under the National EMF Research and Public Information Dissemination (RAPID) program. 9. How to obtain printed copies of the NIOSH Fact Sheet. "NIOSH Fact Sheet: EMFs in the Workplace," DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-129, is available from: NIOSH Publications Dissemination, 4676 Columbia Parkway 10. How to find out more about EMFs in the workplace. To provide more details, a 68-page booklet "Questions and Answers: EMF in the Workplace" (Publication Number DOE/GO-10095-218, DE95013123) has been published by NIOSH together with the Department of Energy and the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences. This booklet is also available from: NIOSH Publications Dissemination by calling 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674) or E-mail: pubstaft@niodst1.em.cdc.gov or by writing to the address above. The text is found online at the EMF RAPID Home Page. |
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OSHA Directive on Emergency Response The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Fed/OSHA) has issued a new compliance directive to clarify its enforcement policy on hazardous waste and emergence response operations. Fed/OSHA said the new directive requires compliance officers inspecting a private-sector facility for compliance with hazardous waste and emergency response conditions to contact the local fire department to determine whether the employer has notified it concerning the companies emergency response plan. Without such notification and coordination with local agencies, fire departments and other emergency responders may not be trained and equipped to carry out the role an employer might need in an emergency, Fed/OSHA said. Compliance Directive CPL 2-2.59A, titled "Inspection Procedures for the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard, 29 CFR 1910.120(q): Emergency Response to Hazardous Substances Releases" is available from Fed/OSHA's World Wide Web home page at: |
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Nitrile gloves are made from a synthetic polymer that exhibits rubber-like characteristics when vulcanized. The polymer is made in the form of a latex or emulsion and can be used or processed much like natural latex. Unlike natural rubber, which is polyisoprene, the nitrile polymer is composed of three ingredients or monomers ("mono" meaning one and "mer" meaning unit) namely acrylonitrile, butadiene, and carboxylic acid. The term "terpolymer" is used to describe a combination of three different monomers. The word "polymer" implies "many units" put together to form a large molecule. The properties of this polymer are dependent on its composition and the way that its individual units or monomers are joined together. Each monomer is this composition performs a unique role and contributes to the overall balance of properties. The term "nitrile" is used to describe these polymers because many distinguishing features of this family are due to the monomers used, namely acrylonitrile. The presence of this monomer imparts permeation-resistant characteristics to a wide variety of solvents and chemicals. Due to the polar nature of acrylonitrile, these polymers are especially resistant to hydrocarbon oils, fats and solvents, unlike natural rubber, which has very poor resistance. The butadiene component in the polymer adds to the softness, flexibility and feel of the glove. It also has a hand in the vulcanization process, which enhances the elastic quality of the glove. The carboxylic acid component interacts with zinc oxide in the compound formulation and helps increase tensile strength, abrasion and tear resistance. The formation of ionic bonds/crosslinks between the carboxylic acid groups and zinc oxide makes this possible while increasing the solvent resistance of nitrile gloves. This is absent in natural rubber because it doesn't have any carboxyl functionality. Thus, by controlling the composition and the formulating ingredients such as zinc oxide and sulfur accelerators, the performance of the finished glove is significantly altered. Features like softness, feel, modulus, solvent resistance, tensile and tear strength can be controlled much easier than with natural rubber. This means that nitriles can be tailored to achieve a desired performance. The other significant difference between natural rubber and nitrile latex is that natural rubber contains proteins that act as stabilizers. These proteins can cause allergic reactions because they remain in the finished glove. Nitrile lattices do not contain any proteins, but instead are stabilized by anionic surfacants. The nitrile latex can be coagulated to form a film by using calcium nitrate, just as in the case of natural rubber latex, but without the added complication of proteins. Nitrile gloves can also dissipate electrostatic charge much better than natural rubber, and this can be a valuable feature in the semiconductor industry. Also, their good abrasion resistance generates significantly less particulate matter that may act as contaminants during manufacturing. Another difference between natural and nitrile is that natural rubber is a linear polymer and has to undergo precuring to enhance its strength before dipping. Nitrile polymers are inherently crosslinked during manufacture so little or no precuring is necessary to improve strength, this is a process advantage. The degree of this crosslink can be altered by changing the process conditions or by adding agents known as chain modifiers during manufacture. No matter what the ultimate end uses, nitrile polymers can be specifically tailored to achieve specific needs. With natural rubber, one is essentially limited by natures creation, with no room for change. |
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NOTE: All references linked to Federal Register editions may be found in ASCII Text, Acrobat PDF, and summary form at the GPO FR Web Site at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html. OSHA ACTIVITIES Respirators As the new NIOSH-Certified requirements for non-powered or negative pressure respirators (42 CFR Part, 84) gradually replaces the older standards (30 CFR, Part 11), confusion still exists about on the selection of proper respiratory equipment. OSHA still has not issued it's own protection factors (APFs) for the new respirators, except for selected substances, such as benzene and asbestos. However, OSHA, this week, issued a document with interpretations of the new Respiratory Protection standard published in January. Quoting from the memo sent to all Regional Administrators, the document was "to provide the Regional Offices with ... Question and Answers on the Respiratory Protection Standard ( Q and A document.) It is intended to provide guidance to the field on topics relating to the Respiratory Protection Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134. This document will be useful to assist the staff in the Area Offices to answer most of most frequently asked questions." "The Q and A provides a series of questions and answers on each paragraph of the revised standard. The document includes four "attachments" that the compliance staff can use for outreach to employers. The attachments include a Spanish translation of Appendix D, a respirator-use flowchart, addresses and phone numbers of State Licensing Boards, and a "usable" copy of the Medical Questionnaire, both in English and Spanish. The National Office will issue a Compliance Directive on the Respirator standard. The Directive will include inspection and citation guidance to ensure uniform enforcement of the respiratory standard as well as interpretations of the standard. The document is available in Adobe Acrobat format on OSHA's web site at: http://www.osha.gov/quanda2.pdf and in WordPerfect format from the Army IH web site at: http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/ArmyIH/Docs/QandA2.wpd OSHA Will Ease Into Cartridge Change Enforcement OSHA will phase in enforcement of the cartridge change schedule provision of the new respirator rule so employers can incorporate data into programs as it becomes available. In the old respirator standard, employers could use odor detection as a way to determine when a cartridge needed to be changed. In the new respirator rule, this is no longer acceptable. Instead, if end of service life indicators are not available for the chemicals used, a cartridge change schedule must be created based on "objective data." At a public hearing designed in part to define the vague term and to gather information on cartridge change schedules, OSHA's Deputy Director, J. Finkel, said the agency understands "the data is not in a pristine form that is ready to use" and will be flexible in its enforcement. The agency will ask for proof that workplace conditions, such as humidity and chemical mixtures, were used to create the change schedule. It will require that change schedules clearly protect workers and Finkel said employers should err on the side of caution. But it will not require complex mathematical calculations to be endlessly computed, he said. "It is not sufficient to adopt somebody else's change schedule without thinking about your workplace," Finkel said. "We don't want a change schedule that is based on the fact that you have seen no apparent adverse health effects." Richard Fairfax, OSHA deputy director of compliance programs, said the agency would be "fair and realistic" about enforcement, which will be handled similar to the way it was with the bloodborne pathogen standard and the hazard communication standard. "We will become more stringent as time goes on," said Fairfax. The standard's compliance directive is not done but is expected to be ready by the October effective date, he said. Fact Sheet No. OSHA 93-09 BACK INJURIES - NATION'S NUMBER ONE WORKPLACE SAFETY PROBLEM Preventing back injuries is a major workplace safety challenge. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million workers suffer back injuries each year, and back injuries account for one of every five workplace injuries or illnesses. Further, one-fourth of all compensation indemnity claims involve back injuries, costing industry billions of dollars on top of the pain and suffering borne by employees. Moreover, though lifting, placing, carrying, holding and lowering are involved in manual materials handling (the principal cause of compensable work injuries) the BLS survey shows that four out of five of these injuries were to the lower back, and that three out of four occurred while the employee was lifting. No approach has been found for totally eliminating back injuries caused by lifting, though it is felt that a substantial portion can be prevented by an effective control program and ergonomic design of work tasks. OSHA is considering ways to help employers and employees reduce these injuries. The agency is looking at both major categories of methods for preventing lifting injuries--administrative controls and engineering controls. The former includes carefully selecting and/or training workers so they can safely perform lifting tasks. Engineering controls attempt to redesign a job so lifting becomes less hazardous. Suggested administrative controls include:
Suggested engineering controls include:
Other factors include frequency of lifting, duration of lifting activities, and type of lifting, as well as individual variables such as age, sex, body size, state of health, and general physical fitness. The approaches suggested include the NIOSH Work Practices Guide for Manual Lifting(*) employing an equation using horizontal location, vertical location, vertical travel distance and lifting frequency. Another approach would put a maximum weight limit for any single lift, or a load-moment limit which would consider the effect of the distance of the load from the worker's body. Tables of maximum weights for different percentiles of male and female workers have also been proposed. The Fact Sheet is available from OSHA's Web site at http://www.osha-slc.gov/OshDoc/Fact_data/FSNO93-09.html FOOTNOTE(*) The NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Work Practices Guide for Manual Lifting (NTIS PB 821-789-48) (cost $26.00 paper; $17.00 microfiche) is available from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161. Updated report: Scientifically-supported documentation for revised 1991 NIOSH lifting equation: Technical Contract Report (NTIS PB 912.262-74) ($35.00 paper; $17.00 microfiche). $3.00 shipping and handling per order. In addition, the revision of the 1981 NIOSH Document, Applications Manual for the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation is available in Adobe PDF format (3.9MB) from NIOSH's Web site. OSHA Ergonomic Standard Planned for Summer 1999 Charles Jeffress stated the earliest a proposal for a nationwide ergonomics standard could be published would be the summer of 1999. OSHA continues to focus their current efforts on stakeholders meetings and development of a draft text that OSHA believes would be useable as a draft text for circulation. The document presented to stakeholders is a series of questions OSHA believes should be addressed by the standard. OSHA is narrowing their focus for the standard and will focus on industries that have significant musculoskeletal problems where the problems can be defined and where solutions have been demonstrated to be effective. Stakeholders will be asked to consider four key questions:
OSHA has discussed a standard that would cover manufacturing operations, manual handling operations, and keyboarding operations. Much controversy surrounds the inclusion of keyboarding operations. Many stakeholders would prefer compliance with a federal standard than being forced to deal with at federal and individual state standards. OSHA Develops Palm-Sized Cards on Heat Stress Hazards OSHA is in the final stages of reviewing the palm-sized cards designed to publicize the hazards of heat stress. The cards list signs of heat stress, discuss when workers are at increased risk of heat stress, and explain how to protect workers from heat stress and injury. Cards will be available in English and Spanish. OSHA is still studying how to distribute the cards. --------------------------------------------------------------- ACTIONS IN CONGRESS IMPACTING OSHA OSHA Reform Legislation Signed Into Law President Clinton signed two job safety bills into law. PL 105-197, authorized OSHA's voluntary consultations programs, which were created during the Reagan administration but never authorized under the OSH Act. PL 105-198, prohibits OSHA from using enforcement activities, including inspections, citations, and fines as performance measures for inspectors and supervisors. Passage of these laws marks the first time Congress has approved legislation aimed at changing OSHA policies set forth in the OSH Act in the last 20 + years. More OSHA Reform Legislation HR 4037 would allow employers greater flexibility in using electronic versions of MSDSs. The bill is non-controversial and has the support of both Republicans and Democrats. It was approved by the House Committee on Education and Workforce approved the bill by unanimous voice vote July 28th. The bill would allow electronic MSDSs even as the backup method which has been prohibited and paper copies were required by OSHA. The bill would also require and emergency overview to appear on the first page of all MSDSs. The emergency overview would provide manufacturer's contact information, chemical identity, appropriate hazard warnings, instructions for safe handling, and first aid instructions for exposures. Postal Service Moves Closer to Paying OSHA Fines The Congress appears poised to pass legislation that would make the Postal Service subject to OSHA fines. As a federal agency the Postal Service has been required to comply with the OSH Act but has not been subject to fines. The Senate passed S 2112 The Postal Employees Safety Enhancement Act, on July 31 and companion legislation in the House HR 3725, The Postal Employees Safety Enhancement Act, has cleared all committees and awaits introduction on the House floor. House committee sources report the bill will be introduced on the House floor when the House returns from the current recess in mid September. Ship Scrapping Still Controversial The Navy will be required to test new ways to dismantle obsolete ships that are more protective of workers and the environment under appropriations legislation passed by the Senate (S 2057). The bill, if signed into law, would require the Navy to develop a 2 year pilot program. The goal of the program would be to identify cost-effective technologies to scrap vessels in a way that is protective of workers and the environment. The Navy would be required to place more emphasis on standards compliance rather than on how much money the contractors would pay for the vessel. Vessels sold overseas draw higher prices than those scrapped locally. --------------------------------------------------------------- TECHNICAL ARTICLES OF INTEREST AIHA Journal abstract - Automotive refinishing The July AIHA Journal had an article on risk reduction practices in the automotive refinishing industry in Rhode Island, it was entitled "Survey of Risk Reduction and Pollution Prevention Practices in the Rhode island Automotive Refinishing Industry", authors, R. T. Enandera,A. M. Guteb, R. Missaghianc. In 1996 a survey of pollution prevention, environmental control, and occupational health and safety practices was conducted in the Rhode Island automotive refinishing industry. Investigators sought to characterize the range of environmental and industrial hygiene contractors employed by Rhode Island facilities for the purposes of focusing on state technical and compliance assistance efforts. Data were collected on a diverse range of subject areas including work force demographics; source reduction; potential health hazards; worker exposures and safety; solid and hazardous waste management; and air pollution control. Nearly one-third of the shops employ three or fewer people, and in many cases, spray painters double as repair technicians thereby increasing their potential exposure to workplace contaminants. Nearly all of the shops reported that they use spray painting booths, only 38% own a booth of the more effective downdraft design. Based on the self-reported data, recently promulgated state air pollution control regulations (requiring the use of compliant coatings, enclosed or modified spray gun cleaners, and high-volume, low-pressure, spray guns) appear to be effective at motivating companies toward source reduction. A range of risk reduction opportunities identified as input material changes, technology changes, and improved operating practices. Better methods of risk communication; a professional licensing requirement; and targeted training, compliance, and technical assistance would help to achieve greater levels of risk reduction in this mature, high-hazard industry Survey background. An estimated 63,000 automotive refinishing facilities of varying size and technology levels, employing some 460,000 people (estimate calculated as 7.3 employees per body shop times 63,000 body shops) are located within the United States. Environmental and occupational health studies indicate a need for improved worker protection and risk reduction strategies in this high-hazard, $26 billion industry. Research conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the National Agency for Research on Cancer, raises serious concern over the potential adverse effects on human health including asthma, kidney disease, and central nervous system effects. In addition, the U. S. EPA estimates that up to 2 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOC) released annually from automobile refinishing operations. Nitrogen oxides and VOCs react in the presence of sunlight to form ground-level ozone, exposure to which can cause a range of adverse respiratory system effects including decreased lung function, increased susceptibility to respiratory infection, airway inflammation, and increased lung reactivity. In this study, detailed survey data were collected from 100 of the 400 state-licensed automotive refinishing facilities. The project team sought to characterize the range of pollution prevention, environmental control, and occupational health and safety practices employed by Rhode Island companies for the purpose of identifying risk reduction opportunities. The survey instrument used was unique in that it covered diverse subject areas including source reduction; physical and health hazards; worker exposure, protection and safety; solid and hazardous waste management; and air pollution control. This is the first survey known to explore the interrelationship among risk reduction, pollution prevention, and occupational health practice in a major U.S. industry sector. The article then describes the questionnaire and testing protocol it used on 400 licensed auto body shops. Some of the conclusions of the survey indicated that : VOC's were emitted and reported at 1622 tons annually. The Rhode Island body shop work profile average employs 5 + e (range 1 to 31). Workers were not unionized. Vehicles processing information was also given. Many shops reported that individual workers perform multiple job functions. Automobile refinish professionals can be exposed to a multitude of exposures from auto body repair and spray painting. In a review of health effects associated with painting operations across several industry sectors (including automobile manufacturing and auto body refinishing), IARC concluded that "there is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of occupational exposure as a painter" and that "painters suffer from allergic and nonallergic contact dermatitis, chronic bronchitis, asthma and adverse central nervous system effects. Substances that are commonly encountered in the refinish industry include organic solvents, isocyanates, metal particulates, and other airborne contaminants . Organic solvents, for example, are present in paint formulations, surface/equipment cleaners, adhesives, and paint strippers. Metal-bearing fumes, paint pigments and other fine solid particulates are generated during welding, spray painting, and sanding/grinding operations, respectively. Other workplace contaminants such as asbestos and glass fibers, styrene, crystalline silica, and carbon monoxide may pose additional health hazards when present. Paint Solvents and Isocyanates. Solvents present in paint formulations used in Rhode Island include toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone, butyl acetate, and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate. Isocyanates (isocyanate monomers and polyisocyanates, for example) are found in polyurethane coating systems used widely throughout the United States. In fact, more than two-thirds of all automotive paint/coating systems used in the United States contain isocyanates. In Rhode Island polyurethane coatings are supplied by a number of major paint system manufacturers for use in multistage coating operations. Metals may be present in paint pigments, sanding/grinding and welding fumes. Paint pigments can contain lead, cadmium, chromium, and other metals that may become airborne. Sanding operations create exposures to metal-bearing pigments which can also occur during spray painting. Welding fumes are generated during structural repair operations and may contain several metal compounds, including zinc oxide. For example the data show that 97% of all respondents indicated that their workers weld for 4 hours (per estimates). Highly irritating gases such as ozone and nitrogen dioxide, as well as organic decomposition position products (from surface residues and coatings) may be encountered. are provided for sanding, grinding, welding, and spray painting operations. Examples of chemicals or contaminants of concern are also given. In general, repair technicians and spray painters may (2) inhalation of particulates, fibers, and gases, (3) dermal absorption of solvents and isocyanate monomers, and (4) incidental ingestion of contaminants resulting from unsanitary work practices such as "not washing before eating, eating or drinking in an area where hazardous] materials are used, biting fingernails, touching the mouth while coughing or sneezing, and smoking after handling hazardous materials. Waste antifreeze, oil, and CFCs are generated less frequently than the "mixed hazardous wastes." For example, 2 (28/96) of all respondents reported that they generate spent antifreeze and that the average rate of generation is about 118 gallons per company per year. Likewise, 19% (19/98) generate an average of 227 gallons of waste oil each year and only 7% (7/98) reported that they generate CFCs. The article then reported on the environmental aspects of the survey. Spray Paint Booths Though most respondents indicated chat they use either local ventilation or portable exhaust systems during welding, nearly one third of the shops reported that they use neither. The article then addressed workplace controls and personal protection spray painting booths Ninety-three percent (93/100) of the companies surveyed reported that they use spray-painting booths. Forty-four of 93 companies (47%) indicated that their booths are of a crossdraft design, while 35 (38%) use downdraft and 16 (17%) use semi-downdraft booths. By comparison, "approximately 40 percent of all body shops [located in the United States] own crossdraft booths and 30 percent own downdraft or semi-downdraft booths. The average age of all spray painting booths is 10 years (range <1 to 30 years). Approximately one in five of the booths were reported to be"homemade," some of which were observed during on-site visits to be of cinder block construction. In addition, 24 companies indicated that their workers sometimes paint outside of a booth; whether vehicle preparation stations are used during some or all of this painting is unknown. The average frequency of occurrence for this activity is 1 hour per week, range 0.5 to 18 hours per week, and the types of painting reported to be performed are "undercoating" and "priming (e.g., trim parts).". They are designed to keep airborne concentrations of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) monomer and HDI polyisocyanate consistently below the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommended threshold limit value of 5 ppb. OSHA PELs have not been established for either compound. [Note: Exposure limits for HDI polyisocyanates have not been developed by either NIOSH or ACGIH. Exposure reduction in autobody shops can be achieved by (1) conducting all spray painting inside a properly designed and operated paint booth, (2) adopting effective booth operation and maintenance procedures (e.g., periodically checking airflow volumes, exhaust filter replacement), (3) using paint systems with low isocyanate monomer content, (4) wearing gloves and paint suits to prevent dermal contact with organic solvents and isocyanates, and (5) using supplied-air respirators where feasible. Auto body shop owners use vehicle preparation stations and paint mixing rooms to help control air contaminants in the workplace. Twenty-nine survey respondents indicated that they own and use vehicle preparation stations equipped with ventilation and mechanical exhaust systems. In addition, 67 shops have enclosed paint mixing rooms equipped with air supply and mechanical exhaust systems. Though the results of one study showed that vehicle preparation stations may not adequately control paint overspray,' the extent to which vehicle preparation stations and paint mixing rooms can contribute to exposure reduction in Rhode Island shops needs further study. Personal Protection and Hazard Communication Where engineering control measures (e.g., enclosure or confinement of the operation, general and local ventilation, or substitution of less toxic materials) are not feasible or not effective at controlling workplace hazards, OSHA regulations require the use of respirators and the establishment and maintenance of an effective respiratory protection program. A minimal acceptable respiratory protection program includes the following elements: written operating procedures; proper selection, training and fitting, cleaning and disinfection, storage, inspection, and maintenance; work area surveillance, inspection evaluation program, medical examinations; and the use of approved respirators. During six in-depth auto body shop evaluations, NIOSH researchers found "a complete absence of a respirator program 'and that "respirator usage in the shops studied appeared to be inappropriate - respirators were poorly maintained and did not fit the workers. In one of these shops, even though respirators were supplied and inspected by a local safety company, two painters had partial beards that interfered with respirator seals. OSHA inspections conducted in New England from 1991 through 1996 found that auto refinishers were deficient in a number of areas including respiratory protection practices and the use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, suits, and boots. Finally, when asked whether their companies had an active hazard communication/worker-right-to-know program, 9 out of every 10 shops indicated that they did and that material safety data sheets were readily available to all workers. No information was sought regarding the adequacy of hazard communication programs, though there is evidence of need for improvement; for example, when shops were asked whether they used methylene chloride paint strippers, patching compounds containing epoxy resins, and chromate paints or primers in their work, 9%, 17%, and 23%, respectively, indicated that they were "not sure." The article concluded that the auto body industry presents a significant challenge to those engaged in environmental protection, especially pollution prevention, and occupational safety and health practice. The reason for this is the range of chemicals used and activities carried out at these facilities coupled with the small size of most shops and the complexity of business management and operational requirements, such as worker training and regulatory compliance, facing the industry. Hand and Foot Protection Citation: Cravens, C.P., and Johnson, L.F., Going to Extremes, Occupational Health and Safety, 67(7) p.42-52, 1998. This article provides three useful tools; first a strong listing of suppliers of hand and foot protective equipment; second practical, to-the-point, checklists for hand and foot protection programs, and finally a concise discussion of hand and foot protection principles. The foot protection checklist within the framework of a comprehensive PPE program asks the following questions:
The hand protection checklist:
Tools That Work Citation: Sayer, S., The Surreptitious Treasures of Safety, Occupational Hazards, 60(7) p. 11-14 (1998). This article focuses on the successes of a Meat Packing Company in meeting a new Injury and Illness Prevention Program per Cal/OSHA requirements. The key article focused on the keys to continued success in lowering their incidents of injury and illness year after year. These keys are:
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST Hospital Hazards Underestimated Healthcare facilities are some of the most hazardous workplaces, and healthcare workers have high rates of occupational injury and illness. One explanation for those high rates could be that while healthcare professionals have a fairly good grasp of certain hazards, such as radiation and bloodborne pathogens, they underestimate physical, safety/ mechanical and psychological hazards. A survey of the supervisors identified as being most responsible for occupational health and safety issues in the laboratories of St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, found most of them aware of the chemical, biological and radioisotope hazards present in their labs. However, they underestimated the presence of noise, stress, security, vibration, x-ray and electrical hazards. They also overestimated the presence of health and safety policies to protect workers. Researchers found a similar attitude among many of the supervisors. "The supervisors ... often expressed the sentiment that the workers in the laboratory were intelligent enough to work safely [without safety and health policies to guide them]." The survey results, published in the July issue of Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, suggest that more occupational safety and health education is needed for healthcare supervisors and employees, said researchers, and that additional research is needed about the actual hazards present in the health care setting. Work-Related Motor Vehicle Accidents Cause Three Deaths Every Day According to a NIOSH report released July 27, many workers are at high risk of injury and death from traffic-related motor vehicle accidents and three workers die from these accidents every day. The report entitled "NIOSH Alert: Preventing Worker Injuries and Deaths from Traffic-Related Motor Vehicle Crashes," examines traffic-related motor vehicle accidents that resulted in the death of a person who was at work when the accident occurred. From 1980 to 1992, motor vehicle accidents were the leading cause of work-related deaths for U.S. workers. During this period, traffic-related motor vehicle accidents accounted for the deaths of 15,830 workers. For the period of 1990-92, data supplied in the NIOSH report revealed that of the 2,438 motor vehicle events that involved at least one work-related death, 44% (1,073) involved a collision with an object other than a moving motor vehicle. Of these 1,073 collisions, 243 involved a collision with a pedestrian. Events that occurred while traveling to or from work are not included. According to the report, the trucking service industry is at greatest risk and by occupation, the largest number of traffic-related motor vehicle deaths occur among truck drivers. Copies of the report, "NIOSH Alert: Preventing Worker Injuries and Deaths from Traffic-Related Motor Vehicle Crashes," DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-142, are available by calling NIOSH at (800) 35-NIOSH. Or through their web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/motralrt.html Ergonomics Standard, ANSI Z365 Committee Receives Favorable Comments According to a National Safety Council spokesman, early comments on a voluntary ergonomics standard have been very favorable. Most of the comments came during the final days of the 120-day public comment period for a standard that has been in development for the past eight years. David Alexander, Communications Director, did caution that "the council has not yet tallied the final numbers on the proposed American National Standards Institutes (ANSI)'s draft standard on the "Control of Cumulative Trauma Disorders." The ANSI Committee, which is comprised of representatives from business, labor, academia, and professional societies, plans to meet in October to look at the comments in depth. If the comments cause substantive changes to be made to the standard, the document would go through the formal comment period again. Ergonomics Publication Wins Award NIOSH has granted the Alice Hamilton Award to Alexander Cohen's Elements of Ergonomic programs- A Primer Based on workplace Evaluations of Musculoskeletal Disorders. It is an excellent translation of scientific information into a useful guide for identifying, controlling, and preventing cumulative trauma injuries. To obtain a copy, call NTIS at 1-800-553-6847, and ask for Pub # PB97144901, the cost is $25. Or is available on-line on their web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ephome2.html New Vehicles Bring New Hazards Green or environmentally friendly vehicles pose new fire and safety hazards that may be a real problem in an accident. Drivers and other users need to recognize the problems associated with the new fuels:
Special fire precautions must be taken in the event of arupture (CNG, LNG, or LPG tanks), some fires are difficult to see because they are bright blue (M85, E85). LNG can cause freezing skin burns, high voltage is another hazards from electric vehicles (300 VDC), and cables can even produce shocks. First Aid Basics Need help building a basic first aid kit? The new ANSI Z308.1-1998 standard, "Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits," has been released by ISEA, the Safety Equipment Association. The new standard, the first revision in 20 years, includes a list of eight basic items. Those items are: an absorbent compress, tape, adhesive bandages, antiseptic treatment, a burn treatment, exam gloves, sterile pads, and a triangular bandage. Optional items include: a bandage compress, a mini eyewash, an eye bandage, a cold pack, and a rolled bandage. "End users will know a first aid kit which meets the ANSI standard will contain, as a minimum, those eight items," said Janice Comer Bradley, technical director at ISEA. She said the ANSI committee which authored Z308.1-1998 knew that the final OSHA rule on standards improvement would amend Part 1926.50 and eliminate the requirement which called for a physician to review the contents of a first aid kit. The standard helps take the guesswork out of stocking a basic first aid kit, said Bradley, who suggested end users begin with those eight basics and build from there. "Items in the first aid kit should take specific workplace hazards into account, as well as the most common types of injuries and the number of employees on site," she said. For example, a workplace with burn hazards needs more than one application of burn treatment ointment in a first aid kit, while a workplace with more cut-related injuries might need a variety of sizes and shapes of adhesive bandages. In addition, some employers include nonprescription drugs such as headache and cold remedies in first aid kits, as well as first aid products related to more sophisticated levels of care, such as CPR barriers. It all depends on the level of care the employer wants to provide at the workplace. For further information, contact ISEA at 703-525-1695. New Software Offerings TaskAnalyst, a job analysis system based on the NIOSH Lifting Equation, revised edition saves a lot of time. The Windows-based program works well and provides effective on-line help. Only five data fields are needed, pop-up boxes provide selections of standard task variables. Contact RKL Partners Ltd. (602) 969-5122 for more information and a trial copy of the software. Stretch-ercise is a monitoring/exercise program designed to simultaneously tabulate the user's keystrokes, mouse clicks, and time spent on the computer. If a norm is exceeded, a color pop-up screen leads the user through a series of regionalized exercises designed to reduce tension and increase your range of motion. Contact Ergonomics Sciences Corp at (800) 374-6724 or http://www.ergosci.com/ for more information. EPA INFORMATION EPA What's New Page Check out the EPA web site's new addition. This site presents a list by day for the last 30 days of new actions or events at USEPA. It is worth a look at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/WhatsNew.html --------------------------------------------------------------- JUST THE FACTS
--------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNET NEWS DoD 6055.5-M on-line The new DoD 6055.5-M "Occupational Health Surveillance Manual, May 1998, has been posted on the DENIX web site. The URL is: http://www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public/ES-Programs/Safety/Documents/6055.5/manual.html OSHA Develops New Software Tools OSHA has developed and placed out for public use and comment 3 new software"Expert Systems". They are available from their web site at http://www.osha.gov/oshasoft/ Lead in Construction Advisor This is an interactive compliance guide for lead in construction. It was developed along the lines of the Asbestos Advisor. The "Lead in Construction Advisor" is interactive expert help. It addresses OSHA's Lead in Construction standard (29CFR1926.62). Once installed on your PC, it asks you about work policies and practices. Then, it asks follow-up questions based on your answers, in order to provide help regarding coverage of the rule, initial determinations, use of exposure data, and more. This is a Public Test Version, so you may not rely on the guidance it provides. OSHA received many helpful comments on earlier Advisors, and welcomes your comments on this prototype. $afety Pays This is a tool to help employers analyze the financial impacts of occupational injuries and illnesses that cause Lost Work Days. It uses AVERAGE direct and indirect costs to estimate the sales that might be needed by your company to cover the costs of those occupational injuries and illnesses. Hazard Awareness Advisor THERE ISN'T ANYTHING LIKE IT. It interactively interviews the user about a work place to (confidentially) identify likely hazards and applicable OSHA standards. Then it points users to the Consultation Offices in their states. It takes from 5 to 15 minutes to go through, and writes a report with 4 to 30 pages, depending on what is going on at the work place. Fire Safety Advisor OSHA has added another expert system to its library of compliance advisors. The Fire Safety Advisor addresses OSHA's general industry standards for fire safety and emergency evacuation (Subpart E, 29 CFR 1910.36 37 and 38) and for firefighting, fire suppression and fire detection systems (Subpart L, 19 CFR 1910.156 through 165). Check it out. AIHA Listservers AIHA operates the following listservers. Most names define the subjects.
You can subscribe to these lists by sending an e-mail to MAJORDOMO@LISTS.AIHA.ORG, leave the subject line blank, but in the body of the message type: subscribe listname where "listname" is the Contact Bob Hill at bhill@aiha.org or see their ih-list listserv info web page at: http://www.bartosh.com/CAC/ih-list-FAQ.htm for more information. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission Decisions Full-text decisions are posted at http://www.oshrc.gov/ soon after they are issued. The cite also makes available press releases, rules of procedure and trial procedures. There are plans to post congressional testimony and commissioner's speeches in the future. NIOSH puts Databases on-line NIOSH has just posted an on-line version of the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. It is available on their web site at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/pgdstart.html. It appears it is a work in progress, as there are links to documents that are not yet active. It looks like they'll have the Analytical Methods in PDF form, their documentation for IDLHs, and their international chemical safety cards eventually, if the hyperlinks are all filled in. What a great idea! |